Special guests from various fields will share their view on why, where, what and how Japan can co-create well-being and prosperity with the world. Host: Ken Shibusawa
14. Shoukei Matsumoto: Mindfulness by a Contemporary Buddhist Monk
On the perfect stranger in the corporate world, overcoming the dualistic view, Zen and Pure Land Buddhism, the good ancestor, transmission and translation, here and now, capitalism and growth, imagination and curiosity, interconnected and not a standalone.
Shoukei Matsumoto is a contemporary Buddhist monk. Just like traditional art and contemporary art, a contemporary Buddhist monk alongside a traditional Buddhist monk should be acceptable. Typically, images of Buddhist monks are serving ceremonial rituals and supporting functions at their temple, but those activities are only a little part of Shoukei’s daily life. He spends most of his time creating a frontier for the role of contemporary Buddhist monks in the modern world.
21 Mar 2022
13. Nicholas Benes: Corporate Governance Trailblazer for Japan Inc.
On corporate governance, third arrow of Abenomics, making a stance on the world, BDTI, productivity and labor market efficiency, incentives for the long term, family identity.
Nicholas (“Nick”) Benes was the first person in my sphere of recognition that raised a loud and clear voice regarding the need to improve corporate governance in Japan. He laid the groundwork that eventually led to the implementation of the corporate governance code in 2014, as a part of the “third arrow” in “Abenomics,” the growth strategy of Prime Minister Abe. Nick talks fast and acts fast, and I believe his passion and determination are reflections of his professional and personal desire to do good for society. He describes himself as a “monkey”… What do you think?
Nicholas Benes:
Representative Director
The Board Director Training Institute of Japan
15 Jan 2022
12. Mihoko Kashiwakura: An Angry Little Girl Grows Up To Alleviatge Poverty In Our World
On alleviating poverty in the world, global health, value of a company, the role of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ODA allocation, international procurement by Japanese companies, Goalkeepers, impact-weighted accounting.
Mihoko Kashiwakura is one of these impressive individuals who was able to pursue a childhood passion into a career that has positive impact. That passion was to eradicate poverty from our world. Working with Mihoko over the last couple of years in the area of global health, I thought I’ve come to know her fairly well. However, through our conversation for this episode, I found how truly she is committed to her pursuit of making this world a better place where no one is left behind. Mihoko’s cheery, determined spirit is priceless.
Mihoko Kashiwakura:
Head of East Asia Relations, Global Policy and Advocacy
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
19 Nov 2021
11. Osamu Kunii, Why a Young Doctor in a Rural Japanese Village Went to Somalia
On global health, Africa, helping people in need, Okinawa-Kyushu G8 Summit, global partnerships, reality of healthcare in refugee camps, being prepared, Japan’s role.
Osamu or “Sam” Kunii is one of the most prominent leaders in the world of advancing global health. Access to healthcare is a basic human need, especially for the disadvantaged, especially in days with COVID. Sam grew up in Japan, always wanting to be doctor because he wanted to help people in need. This led him to refugee camps of Africa and other developing countries, and with this field experience, he currently leads a global effort to alleviate pain and suffering all over the world. He’s a saint, a pioneer, and an innovator. The kind person we all need.
Osamu Kunii:
Head of Strategy, Investment & Impact Division
The Global Fund
26 Aug 2021
10. Masahiko Uotani, Part 3: Message for the Next Generation - Go Global
On beauty being a common language, cosmetics in emerging countries, Tani on the golf course, culture and the fear of failure, embracing diversity, the “Ei-Ei-Oh” shout, the younger generation Go Global.
In the last episode of my conversation with “Tani,” we start off with the concept of beauty. After all, Shiseido is a beauty products company, and the world is a beautiful place. Yet, there are global issues that are troublesome, and we touch upon some concerns. There are cultural differences in different parts of the world, yet culture serves as base for everything that we do. We both agreed that the younger generation has an important big role to play in our world, and we get a glimpse of what Tani would personally like to be doing in the future.
17 Aug 2021
9. Masahiko Uotani, Part 2: Changing the Corporate Culture and Unleashing the People
On unleashing the people, changing the culture, “ichigan” organizational structure, being a global leader with a Japanese heritage, unpleasant business decisions, S-Park, diversity and inclusion.
In this Part 2 of my conversation with “Tani,” we went back to the topic of people. As a long-term investor, I believe the most valuable intangible value of the company for their ongoing sustainable growth is the people. All companies say that people are their most valuable asset, but people don’t show up as an “asset” on the balance sheet. It shows up as a “cost” on the P/L. And, many Japanese corporations don’t really do good job in showing the value of their people, since many of them are still in the “Showa” mode of sectionalism silos, seniority system. So, let’s see how Tani’s people focus strategy was able to change that culture.
Representative Director, President and CEO
Shiseido Company, Limited
10 Aug 2021
8. Masahiko Uotani, Part 1: CEO That Brought “Waku-Waku” to a 150 Year Old Company
On the perception of beauty, how an outsider became CEO, not recreating the company but unleashing the people, uplifting with waku-waku, and fundamentals of corporate governance.
Known as “Tani” to his friends abroad, Masahiko Uotani is my hero. Shiseido was one of our initial investments in January 2009, when I launched with my partners the Commons 30 Fund, a “cross generational” long term investment fund in Japanese companies. We had made the investment based on the thesis that Shiseido’s sense of beauty would have appeal and thus growth potential in Asia. However, the first several years were a very slow painful decline. That is when Tani appeared out of the blue and saved the day. Because of the spectacular turnaround of a traditional Japanese company, Tani is one of the most recognized CEOs in Japan, and the world.
Representative Director, President and CEO
Shiseido Company, Limited
19 Jul 2021
7. Jin Montesano: NOT Your Typical Japanese Corporate Director
On living in Hawaii, New York and Washington DC, the best decision of her life (and, it wasn’t about the pay), never wasting a good crisis, first impressions joining a Japanese company, corporate governance, breaking down the “top-down” culture, and embracing the career journey.
Jin is a communicator. And, a great one, at that. An aspiring novelist growing up in Hawaii and studying in New York, fate (and her father) would alter her career journey to public policy work in Washington DC. Then another twist of fate (moving to Singapore with her husband) catapults her into the corporate world. Honing her skills in corporate communication at several well recognized brand companies, she is currently one of the most unique board of director at a Japanese corporation that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. What are the secrets of transforming a quintessential domestic Japanese company into a diversified global corporation with growth potential? It is about unleashing and empowering the people, through none other than instilling a communication culture.
Director, Executive Officer, Executive Vice President, Human Resources and General Affairs, Public Affairs, Investor Relations, External Affairs, and Corporate Responsibility, and Chief People Officer
LIXIL Corporation
20 Jun 2021
6. Tomonobu Kumahira: NOT Your Typical Japanese Millennial
On Brown University, “anthropological explorations”, conscience gap formed by 3.11, the “aha moment,” Komaza- Airbnb for forestry, asking the questions, solving the problems.
In the previous episodes, all of my guests have referred to the “younger generation.” So, it is only fair to give that generation a say. My guest, Tomo Kumahira is a bona fide millennial, turning 30 this year. However, he is not a typical Japanese millennial. He is an executive at a forestry company based in Kenya, and has been selected as one of the elite social entrepreneurs in East Africa. Let see where he comes from, and what makes Tomo tick.
Vice President, Corporate Finance & Strategy, Komaza
Acumen Fellow East Africa
25 May 2021
5. Daren Afshar: Master Storyteller, Riding the Waves of Opportunites
On riding the “waves” of opportunities, eloquent wine sommelier on stage, trying to bring MI series to Japan with Tom Cruise, hydrogen fuel cells, storytelling needed for Japan, One Young World
There are some people that leaves an impression from the very first meeting. This was Daren. There are some people that sound a bit crazy, but you definitely like what you hear. This was Daren. And, then there are some gifted storytellers. This is also Daren. My guest on this episode, Daren Afshar was born in Corpus Christi, Texas but his father moved the family to Europe, and then back to the U.S. where most of his upbringing was in California and Arizona. The second half of his life has been spent in Japan, where his business is Hollywood, but in the last 4 years, he has been leading a bunch of young global young leaders in Japan. He and his team have a spectacular show planned for us in May 2022 in Tokyo.
Director, One Young World Japan
President, Winery Productions
5 May 2021
4. Matthew Goodman : It’s cool to be a Japan Expert Again
On being a “gaijin” in Japan in the 80s, being cursed in 90s, the rise of China, relationship with Korea, with Myanmar, Trump to Biden, catastrophic mistake to withdraw from TPP, democracy, Japan’s “stock” and opportunity to step up.
Let’s take a trip around Asia Pacific with Japan as the starting point. Our guide will be Matthew Goodman, a policy specialist in the region with a wealth of experience and insights formed through his long career both in the public and private sector, and hence a keen observer of this critical part of the world.
Matthew GodmanSenior Vice President for Economics and Simon Chair in Political Economy
Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)
https://www.csis.org/people/matthew-p-goodman
17 Apr 2021
3. Kiyoshi Kurokawa: Take a Leap ! in the Connected World
Starting his career as medical practitioner, specializing in nephrology (kidney disease) , Kiyoshi’s field of activities took a big leap beyond the medical practice. At 84 years strong, Kiyoshi is one of the most globally recognized opinion leaders from Japan.
He was the chairman of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission. “How could this happen in Japan, a country with reputation for excellence in engineering and manufacturing,” questions Kiyoshi. "Japan has to show leadership to learn from failure and disaster."
Kiyoshi encourages the young people of Japan to “take a leap!” Getting college credit or not is irrelevant. It is the experience that should be valued, gaining new perspectives about Japan.
For the world, Kiyoshi sends his greetings. “There are many young eager stars in Japan. Come work with us, come study with us.” We live in a connected world."
3 Apr 2021
2. Christina Ahmadjian: From OL (Office Lady) to the Boardroom
Chris is in a class of her own. She is a professor in Japan, an American of Armenian and Swedish descent. Join us in her journey from serving tea as an OL (office lady) to the current positions as an expert on corporate goverenance in Japan, playing an active role an independent director of several large Japanese corporatons. Her passion is kimonos and "ojisans" in Japan always seems to keep her days interesting.
12 Mar 2021
1 Tak Niinami: Fallacies of the “Golden Mean”
Tak is one of the most widely recognized business executives in Japan, as CEO of Suntory Holdings, a leading beverage company that spans the globe. He shares with us his thoughts regarding leading a different path, good greed, diversity, as well as Japan’s soft power.
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