Japan

The Japan Research Center organized an in-person MBA Information Session in Tokyo for the first time in three years. The session was designed for prospective applicants to learn more about the MBA program curriculum, admission process, financial aid, and life at HBS. Several alums in Japan joined as panelists, and they shared their experience at HBS and how it has impacted their lives. The participants enjoyed meeting local alums in person.

This July, Executive Education hosted a hybrid interactive lecture session by Professor Ramon Casadesus-Masanell in Japan with support from the JRC. Ramon Casadesus-Masanell led a successful interactive session on creating and sustaining competitive advantage for prospects, past Executive Education program participants, and MBA alums from the Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and European regions. The hybrid event took place simultaneously in-person in Tokyo and live online via Zoom. 175 people joined via Zoom, and 71 people joined in person. Participants came from Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, China, and the US. There was a lot of excitement and great feedback from participants who felt inspired by the event.

This June in collaboration NUCB Business School in Nagoya, Japan, the JRC held a webinar to celebrate the HBS Case Centennial. The webinar began with Professor Shinichi Takeuchi of NUCB Business School discussing the history of the case method, including how it started and how it has been developed globally. In the second part, Nobuo Sato, Executive Director of JRC, shared highlights of the case creation process. After that, Professor Hiroyuki Kurimoto, Chancellor of Nagoya University of Commerce & Business (NUCB), and Nobuo Sato discussed successful examples of case method and its introduction at NUCB Business School under the leadership of President Kurimoto. Professor Shinichi Takeuchi moderated the fourth part of the event which featured a panel of professors from across Japan: Professor Koji Mori, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Professor Michiko Shinoda, Nihon Fukushi University, Professor Yukari Takehana, Tokyo Gakugei University, and Mr. Tomohiro Tanno, President of Jikeikai. They shared how they have been making use of the case method in their field. More than 300 people joined the session.

Self-improvement doesn't need to be painful, especially during a pandemic. Rather than set yet another gym goal, look inward, retrain your brain, and get outside, says Professor Hirotaka Takeuchi. In this article Professor Takeuchi explains how business leaders can use the six practices to guide their own self-improvement efforts in the new year.