Ernest M. Higa is the chairman and chief executive officer of Higa Industries, Wendy’s Japan, and Higa Investments. He is also a board member of JC Comsa and Shinsei Bank.

In 1990, he was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Japanese semigovernmental organization New Business Conference, and in 1998 he received an award from the Ministry of Agriculture. Mr. Higa is a visiting professor at Nihon University, a member of Keizai Doyukai (one of the three major business groups in Japan), a member of the Trilateral Commission, the board of advisors of Ripplewood Holdings Japan, the board of trustees of the American School in Japan, the board of the Wo Center at Punahou School in Hawaii, and an international board member of the Chief Executive Organization. He was also a board member of New Business Conference (1994–99), International Board member of Young Presidents Organization (1993–98), Japan Telecom (2004), and Jermyn Street Capital (2003–06).

Mr. Higa graduated with a BS from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Columbia Business School.