School of Public Health

UofM SPH Welcomes the newest SPH Advisory Board member Mr. Kanzi Takayama

Wednesday, 05 August 2026

Since transitioning to commercial real estate in 2017, Kanzi has specialized in helping Japanese and international companies expand into the U.S. market through site selection, investment projects, commercial transactions, and startup consulting. Now with The Magellan Group of eXp Commercial, he continues to advise global clients while leveraging his extensive business network across Japan, China, South Korea, and Mexico. He also provides logistics, supply chain, translation, and interpreting services to support international business growth.

Mr. Takayama is a dedicated community and business leader who actively promotes economic and cultural ties between Tennessee and Japan. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Japan-America Society of Tennessee (JAST) and the Memphis Multicultural Advisory Board. His extensive civic involvement includes leadership roles with the Greater Memphis Chamber, Memphis Botanic Garden, and Memphis World Trade Club, and more than a decade of service to JAST, where he has been recognized with community and volunteer awards.

A native of Osaka, Japan, Kanzi has spent decades fostering business and investment relationships between Japan and Tennessee, particularly in the Memphis region. As a longtime Tennessee delegate to the Southeast U.S./Japan Conference, he has worked to strengthen bilateral partnerships and support regional economic development. In recognition of his contributions to U.S.-Japan relations, he was recently awarded a Commendation from the Consul General of Japan in Nashville.

The purpose of the SPH Advisory Board is to support the Dean in its effort towards building University of Memphis School of Public Health as an impactful, community-engaged, solution-centric, anchor institute.

The board members help the school to reach its maximum potential in public health innovations, providing highest level of education and workforce development, research, and community engagement.  

The responsibility of the advisory group is to provide their expertise, knowledge, and participation across multiple forums to contribute to the ongoing public health dialogue. 
The advisory members help connect to community to raise SPH awareness, disseminate SPH efforts towards creating a meaningful community impact and garner philanthropic support.