On a trip to Japan he was introduced to Japanese writer and politician Wakako Hironaka (member Japanese Diet House of Councillors) who gave him a blueprint of how to work with Japanese industry.
She has been active internationally, as Vice Chair of Global Environmental Action (GEA), an organizing member of Micro Credit Summit, a member of World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development, Earth Charter Commission, and Teri (The Energy and Resourceｓ Institute)