James Robert Malian

James R. “Jim” Malian

Our friend, Jim Malian, was born in 1935 in Detroit, Michigan to Armenian immigrant parents. Jim enrolled at Wayne State University in Detroit and graduated with a master’s degree in education research. Jim taught school for several years until he was called to serve in the U.S. Army. Upon finishing his military duty, Jim went to teach in Japan at an American school on a U.S, military base. When the school was closed for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Jim got a position as Japan manager for an American market research company in Tokyo. While doing market research, Jim met Mihoko Matsumoto. They started dating and Jim soon asked Mihoko to marry him. Together, they started their own business of teaching English to Japanese company executives. They created International Education Services {IES} which has become a leading company in the world of business communications. Both Jim and Mihoko devoted their lives to each other and to IES which has been a leader for business communication in Japan and to this day, IES is highly respected.

Through IES Jim positively influenced many people’s lives by providing careers for teaching staff and opening global employment opportunities for thousands of Japanese, all based on Jim’s innovative ideas for effective communication. Jim’s impact on the business world in Japan was far reaching, and his legacy will be everlasting.

Jim was always well read on current events and could engage in most any topic. He enjoyed playing golf as did Mihoko. Together, they travelled to most of Asia, Europe and America. To escape the heat and humidity of Japan in summer, they bought a home in California, and they enjoyed playing golf on the Kona Coast of the big island of Hawaii to escape the Bay Area rainy season.

Jim passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, with Mihoko by his side. Jim never forgot his Armenian family or the love he and Mihoko shared for each other. They were married for 59 years. Jim was 91 years old and led a full and productive life.