Author: Akira Morishita / Founder & CEO
Born in 1988 in Mie Prefecture, Japan. After graduating from the Faculty of Science and Technology at Tokyo University of Science, he began his career at Macromill, Inc. He then worked in app marketing roles at advertising agencies and social game development companies.
In 2018, he joined Bushiroad Inc., where he was involved in establishing the app marketing department. After serving as Deputy Director of the PR and Advertising Division, he relocated to Singapore in September 2021 to take on the role of Head of Mobile at Bushiroad International Pte. Ltd. He has spoken at numerous events including CEDEC, ad:tech Tokyo, and Abema Prime. He holds an MBA from Bond University.
In December 2021, he published the book “The Easiest App Marketing Textbook” through Impress Corporation, which ranked No.1 in its category on Amazon Japan.
In May 2024, he founded HARS Global Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, providing global marketing consulting and agency services. He is also actively involved in writing marketing-related articles.
The “Appliv Best App Award 2025” honors outstanding apps based on criteria including public attention and buzz, user problem-solving, innovation and originality, growth potential, and user experience.
The winners are selected through a two-stage process: a first round of screening by Appliv’s editorial team—who have reviewed over 70,000 apps—and a second round by a panel of industry leaders and influential experts.
For the 2025 edition, Morishita joins a distinguished panel that includes Takuya Kajigaya (“iPhone comedian”), Takahiro Oguchi (Editor-in-Chief, CNET Japan), and Tomoko Suzuki (IT journalist), serving as a special judge representing the professional domain of app marketing.
Drawing on his experience launching the mobile division at Bushiroad and leading marketing strategy for its international subsidiary in Singapore, Morishita now advises global clients on app growth and market expansion through HARS Global.
In this award, he will evaluate apps from both qualitative and quantitative angles—focusing on the underlying user behavior insights and data frameworks that reveal why certain apps are “chosen” and “used continuously.”
“The app market has entered a phase where simply creating something ‘convenient’ is no longer enough.
The products that will truly stand out are those that carry a story — why they exist and how they transform someone’s life.
I want to recognize apps that combine the passion of their creators with a clear strategy — the moment when creativity and business vision intersect.
Having supported many Japan-origin apps in their global expansion, I believe there are countless products with the potential to succeed internationally. Through this award, I hope to create opportunities for ‘apps made in Japan’ to be recognized worldwide and take the next step forward.”
HARS Global Pte. Ltd. is a marketing agency specializing in app marketing strategy and global expansion support. Combining data analytics and brand strategy, the company helps mobile app publishers in Japan and abroad achieve sustainable growth.
In addition to its consulting work, HARS Global actively shares marketing insights through industry events and publications, including CEO Akira Morishita’s book The Easiest App Marketing Textbook (Impress Corporation).
If you’re interested in our support, please feel free to contact us through the inquiry form below.
The award recognizes 39 outstanding apps across category and startup divisions, with results to be announced on a special website on December 1, 2025 (Mon).
From this year, new categories have been introduced to broaden the scope of evaluation and highlight an even more diverse range of apps.
(See last year’s winners here: https://app-liv.jp/award/2024/)
https://harsglobal.com/news_en/1108
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