大学院大学至善館 - Shizenkan University

We are extending the application & scholarship application deadline until Monday, June 10, 2024 as we will be making several spots available.

Alongside this, we will be hosting our final Information Session for this term. If you are interested and considering applying, we'd love you to take this opportunity to come and see what Shizenkan has to offer!

Quantum computing, the computing paradigm that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to process and manipulate data, holds tremendous promise for revolutionizing various fields, including scientific research, pharmaceuticals, finance, cryptography, and artificial intelligence, by making it possible to solve problems that were previously deemed impossible within practical time frames.
During their recent visit to IBM's Tokyo Research Laboratory (NANOBIC), Shizenkan students had the opportunity to learn about quantum technology and view the actual quantum computer, IBM Quantum System One in Kawasaki City, one of the world's most powerful quantum computers. Students learned about the system's history, design and architecture, and also experienced first-hand the use of IBM composer, the quantum learning site that allows the public to build, visualize and run quantum circuits on quantum hardware or simulators.
We would like to thank Professor Noly Morimoto and the IBM Tokyo Research Laboratory staff for organizing this exciting experience for the Shizenkan students.

Congratulations to both Ami Anzai (English class) and Hiroaki Yamasaki (Japanese class) who received the highest marks from their peers, mentors, and Shizenkan faculty at the Final Seminar Conference held on April 27 and 28.

At the Final Seminar Conference, Shizenkan students demonstrate the results of their 20 months of study at Shizenkan and present their unique projects: a business plan and a speech addressing some pressing social issues.

Ami Anzai, who was ranked first among the 8 finalists in the English class, works for a large financial company. She presented a vision and roadmap for her company to become a more sustainable and environmentally conscious company by changing the behavior of its customers and encouraging green actions toward decarbonization.

Hiroaki Yamasaki, who received the strongest support among the 12 finalists from the Japanese class, presented his approach to solving a protein deficiency problem through the development and production of sustainable seaweed protein.

Congratulations to Yamato Imaeda and Katsutoshi Fujita, who won 2nd and 3rd place respectively in the Japanese class, and to Yutaka Matsuda and Amantha Jude Weerasinghe, who won 2nd and 3rd place respectively in the English class.

We hope that all students will strive to realize their projects and will support their efforts in any way possible.
Great job everyone!

#至善館 #ゼミ

Shizenkan alumnus Shingo Yuhara (Class of 2020) founded his company forest Inc. soon after graduating from Shizenkan and later successfully raised about 900 million yen for its promotion. We caught up with him to talk about his work and experiences during his time at Shizenkan.

Read the full interview on Shizenkan's website: https://shizenkan.ac.jp/en/news/alumni-voice-shingo-yuhara-class-of-2020/

#至善館

We are pleased to announce that Shizenkan University’s Center for Impact Economy will manage the Japanese version of the Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR-J) beginning in April 2024, as a result of discussions between the SSIR-J and Shizenkan University. Publication is scheduled to resume around July 2024, and we will provide further details in the months to come.
https://ssir-j.org/news/20240401/

SSIR-J
The Stanford Social Innovation Review (https://ssir.org/) is a magazine and website for social change leaders launched at Stanford University in 2003. As the operator of SSIR in Japan, SSIR-J provides information on articles published by SSIR as well as content unique to Japan.

【スタンフォード・ソーシャルイノベーション・レビュー 日本版　事業再開の予定について】 スタンフォード・ソーシャルイノベーションレビュー日本版については、大学院大学至善館とスタンフォード大学との協議の結果、大学院大学至善館（https://shizenkan.ac.jp/）が2024年4月1日以降日本の新た...

The deadline for the final round of Shizenkan University admissions and scholarship applications is fast approaching.
Take action towards becoming a “whole-person” leader by May 10th, 2024.

#至善館

As the issue of sustainability becomes more urgent, we had the opportunity to turn to the traditional wisdom of Asian countries on issues of sustainability and leadership at the forum entitled "Sustainability Leadership from the Asian Perspective". This hybrid forum, held on the evening of March 19, was the inaugural event of the Pan-Asian Business School Network, a new initiative jointly launched by business schools across Asia, including Shizenkan.
The event was moderated by Prof. Peter David Pedersen, and Shizenkan's Vice President Prof. Katsuhiko Yoshikawa introduced the network and its upcoming activities.
Four experts from Japan, Malaysia, India and Thailand took the opportunity to introduce sustainability leadership traditions within their countries to the audience.
Dr. Fathyah Hashim (Dean and Associate Professor, Graduate School of Business, Universiti Sains Malaysia) introduced the Islamic approach to leadership and sustainability, its core values and principles, and the practical application of these principles in the case of Malaysia. Prof. Junko Edahiro (Shizenkan University) shared her insights into the Eastern way of thought as an alternative to the Western thought, and she also brought several cases of Japanese companies that follow the traditional Eastern values in their corporate philosophy and activities.
The keynote presentations were followed by a panel discussion with Ms. Suparna Diwakar (Director, School of Inspired Leadership, India; Sr. Researcher and Chief Consultant, Technical Secretariat Group for National Steering Committee, National Curriculum Framework) and Mr. Anthony Watanabe (Chief Sustainability Officer, Indorama Ventures PLC, Thailand) who presented the Indian and Thai perspectives on sustainability issues.
In a stimulating and insightful discussion, all panelists agreed that there are more commonalities than differences among the traditions and principles of sustainability in Asian countries. We hope that further research and activities of the Pan-Asian Network will bring out and make explicit such commonalities, which can become a basis for advancing the ideas of sustainability.

#至善館

Impact Nights are an initiative of Shizenkan's Center for Impact Economy, a series of semi-open salon events moderated by Prof. Masataka Uo, Vice President of Shizenkan and CEO of the Japan Fundraising Association, a knowledge sharing space and ecosystem for founders, government/financial leaders, and anyone passionate about creating social impact.
The second session welcomed Mr. Takaya Matsuda, Co-CEO of HERALBONY Co. Ltd. as a guest speaker. HERALBONY incorporates the artwork of artists with intellectual disabilities into original design, and manages licenses for the artwork and acts as an intermediary between them and client companies.
Mr. Matsuda shared how the history of the company and brand began with his personal experience of having an older brother with autism, and how at the age of 24, he visited the Runbini Art Museum in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture where he was deeply impressed by the artwork of people with disabilities exhibited there.
The company currently manages licenses for more than 2,000 works of art.
Stay tuned for the next Impact Night.

#至善館

On March 19th, a warm welcome was extended to the esteemed delegation from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) at Shizenkan University. Led by Associate Professor Dr. Fathyah Hashim, Dean of the Graduate School of Business, the delegation included Ms. Nur Mariyam Musa, Deputy Registrar, and Dr. Jeffrey S.S. Cheah, MBA Program Manager, Graduate School of Business.
Their visit was a fruitful discussion of current and future collaboration between our universities, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize our partnership and pave the way for exciting future projects.
Joint courses, study tours, faculty exchange programs, and collaborative research initiatives are just some of the ways in which students and faculty will benefit.
At Shizenkan, we believe in the power of collaboration and look forward to deepening our ties with our Asian partners through initiatives like these. Let's build bridges and create impactful change together!

#至善館

Shizenkan University is pleased to announce the opening of the Shizenkan Center for Liberal Arts and Leadership (Japanese: リベラルアーツセンター, Chinese: 世界文明中心). To commemorate this event, a closed-door inaugural event entitled "Why Liberal Arts Now?" was held on the Shizenkan campus.
The event began with presentations by the Center's co-chairs, Prof. Seiichi Kondo (former Commissioner for Cultural Affairs and Ambassador to UNESCO,) and Prof. Daisaburo Hashizume, followed by a discussion on the necessity and importance of liberal arts education for management leaders by the Center's supporters, Dr. Mariko Hasegawa (Anthropologist, President of the Japan Arts Council, former President of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Prof. Takahiro Nakajima (Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo), and Prof. Hiroshi Suzuki (Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Tokyo and former Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology).
In recent years, global fragmentation and chaos have increased rapidly, and concerns about sustainability have become more acute. In addition, with the rapid development of AI and life technologies bringing both light and shadow, we are once again forced to return to the essence of our reality - people, society and the world - to face the current situation and look to the future.
We believe that there is an urgent need for management leaders, who have to make decisions for the future in the context of their relationships with many stakeholders, including society and the planet, to have a bird's eye view of people, society, and the world as a whole, and to establish the philosophy and principles on which they and their companies depend on.
Shizenkan University intends to further refresh its educational approach through the activities of the new Shizenkan Center for Liberal Arts and Leadership, and at the same time spread its unique educational paradigm to the wider world.

#至善館

For Shizenkan alumnus Yoshikazu Takagi (Class of 2021), his studies at Shizenkan was crucial in forging his ability to take on new roles and responsibilities his company assigned him with upon graduation. In his interview, he shares what was instrumental in building his company’s corporate strategy and shaping its purpose. Read his full interview at Shizenkan website.

https://shizenkan.ac.jp/en/news/alumni-voice-yoshikazu-takagi-class-of-2021_en/

#至善館

Shizenkan University, in cooperation with Pathways Japan PJ and the non-profit organization WELgee, has established a new "Refugee Higher Education Scholarship" to provide financial support for studying at Shizenkan for persons with refugee status who are currently living in Japan. For more information, visit Shizenkan's website or contact our admissions staff.

On February 18th (Sunday), the Shizenkan campus hosted a traditional Culture Day organized by its students. Shizenkan is proud of having a multinational student body that showcases their cultures, traditional foods and drinks. Students welcomed their families and friends, as well as university faculty and staff, that joined them on this day to celebrate unity and diversity.

Through a partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Japan, Shizenkan University is offering the “Europa House-Shizenkan Scholarship” program that provides financial support for applicants from EU countries. The program aims to contribute to the promotion of friendship and the deepening of strong economic ties between Japan and the EU and develop future leaders who can bring about change on a global scale.
The scholarship is available to citizens of EU member states.

Learn more at our website: https://shizenkan.ac.jp/en/news/scholarship2024_eu_en/

If you have at least one year of field experience in international development (e.g. JOCV, JICA Expert, UN, or NPO/NGO), you can apply for our newly established "International Development Professionals Scholarship" which aims to support those with international development experience, who seek a deeper understanding of management and social systems to resolve social issues and create systemic change on a global scale.

Learn more at our website: https://shizenkan.ac.jp/en/news/scholarship2024_interdev_en/

Shizenkan University launches a new "Social Innovators Scholarship" to those candidates who belong to non-profit organizations (NPO) or public organizations (regardless of the number of years worked for such organizations). The scholarship supports the development of the next generation of leaders and practitioners at NPOs and public organizations who are working toward solving social issues and creating social innovations.

Learn more at our website: https://shizenkan.ac.jp/en/news/scholarship2024_social_innovation_en/

If you belong to an impact startup company or business that solves regional problems and is considering a global expansion or collaboration in the future, you can apply for Shizenkan University’s "Global Impact Maker Scholarship". The scholarship supports practitioners who are creating social impact through business and/or operation-related activities and are considering global expansion and collaboration, and who want to improve global communication skills (including English language skills), deepen understanding of social and economic systems, think about future business plans, and develop the ability to co-create with people from different cultural backgrounds.

Learn more at our website: https://shizenkan.ac.jp/en/news/scholarship_globalimpact_en/

On January 30th, the day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated 76 years ago, Shizenkan held a special open online session “Mahatma Gandhi's Prayer for Peace” together with its partners. In his inspiring talk, Prof. Rajmohan Gandhi, a historian, peacemaker and grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, shared his grandfather's message that remains true today: “Obey your conscience without fear” and “All of us on planet Earth are members of one family.” His words and stories of his grandfather's last months give hope to all who seek peace and harmony.
The session was moderated by Prof. George Olcott, Vice President of Shizenkan and Anil Sachdev, Founder of the School of Inspired Leadership (India), and commentated by Prof. Franz Heukamp, Dean of IESE Business School (Spain).
This open session is part of the "Future of Capitalism" course that Shizenkan organizes in partnership with 16 schools around the world.

On January 25, Shizenkan hosted the online event "The Mindset and Impact of Leveraging Technology towards Solving Social Issues in Japan and Africa," the first in the Shizenkan Insights Series. Prof. Masafumi Nagao of the University of Pretoria, Research Advisor at the International Development Center of Japan, and Jovi Chen, CEO of Zen Consortium and Advisor to the Africa Chamber of Commerce, joined the event as guest speakers.

In his speech, Prof. Nagao emphasized the fact that as the global perception of Africa is changing, Asian countries are increasingly interested in developing relations with Africa, and focusing on the younger generation of Africans is essential for establishing sustainable business partnerships. Prof. Nagao also presented some of the educational initiatives to connect Asia and Africa that focus on young African entrepreneurs.
Jovi Chen of Zen Consortium, the platform that supports African social entrepreneurs with consulting, financial support, and technology solutions, shared his experience of creating social impact in rural Africa by introducing technology and seeing opportunities where others see only a lack of infrastructure.

The lively discussion between the two speakers and Q&A with the audience was moderated by Shizenkan's Vice President, Associate Professor Shun Nagao, and touched on topics such as the language barrier and how to overcome it, the reasons why young Africans should turn their attention to Asia, and the opportunities for African students to study in Asia, particularly in Japan.

The event was organized in partnership with the Study in Japan for Africa Initiative, commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, and we are grateful to Ms. Midori Daimon for her support.

On January 22, Shizenkan's Center for Impact Economy hosted its first "Impact Night," a series of semi-open salon events to discuss social impact initiatives. Moderated by Prof. Masataka Uo, Vice President of Shizenkan and CEO of the Japan Fundraising Association, the event brought together leaders from government, finance, large corporations, startups, and foundations working to realize the impact economy.

This time, we welcomed Yusuke Mizuno, founder of the Impact Startup Association and CEO of Life is Tech!, which offers one of the largest IT education programs in Japan for junior high and high school students. By learning the latest IT technologies in programming (iPhone apps, web, game development, etc.) and digital arts, they aim to help kids learn creative skills and also create a space for them to find and realize their aspirations and connect with peers. In his passionate talk, Yusuke Mizuno shared the story of his company, which started as a camp with only 3 participants in 2011, went through a social IPO in 2014, and has delivered digital innovation education to more than 1 million people to date.

In the panel discussion that followed, Yusuke Mizuno was joined by Koji Isozumi from METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) and Chihiro Eikyu (Shizenkan Class of 2021) from the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai) for a stimulating discussion on the future of education, start-ups, and how to keep the passion for social action ignited.

Attendees also had the opportunity to network in a casual setting over a glass of wine and snacks.

The next Impact Night is scheduled for March, so stay tuned for updates.

#至善館　 #ライフイズテック

Moved by her awareness of sustainability issues, Shizenkan graduate Kozura Koda, who works for a major shipping company, decided to develop a plan for a carbon credit business using blue carbon for her graduation project. We met with her to talk about how her initiative was accepted by the company. Read her full story https://shizenkan.ac.jp/en/news/alumni-voice-ms-kazura-koda-class-of-2021/　

#至善館

On January 10, Shizenkan held its traditional joint forum with the IESE Business School, this time with the support of the UN Global Compact Network Japan. The event, titled "Redefining Value Creation by Companies in the Age of Sustainability and Wellbeing", was held at the Toranomon Hills Forum with about 200 participants.

In his opening remarks, the Dean of IESE, Professor Franz Heukamp, talked about sustainable business practices, the dangers of oversimplifying the complex processes (which one can argue made the shareholder supremacy theory so popular), and the concept of “common good” that can help to develop new models to assess actions by individuals and corporates.

Mr. Toshio Arima, Chairman of the UN Global Compact Network Japan, delivered his keynote speech in which he introduced the four initiatives of the late Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the UN, including the establishment of the Global Compact and the introduction of the mechanisms to move companies (ESG, SDGs, etc.). Mr. Arima also shared his ideas and practical experience in corporate governance on how to achieve well-being.

Mr. Arima's speech was followed by Ms. Yumi Otsuka, Chief Sustainability Officer at Toyota Motor Corporation. Ms. Otsuka, who has always been at the forefront of Toyota's transformation, spoke about the sustainability transformation Toyota is currently undergoing and the challenges it is facing along the way.

Professor Tomo Noda, President and Chair of Shizenkan University, shared his ideas on how companies can redefine value creation and set the agenda for the panel discussion that followed between him, Prof. Heukamp, Ms. Otsuka, and Prof. Fabrizzio Ferraro, Academic Director of the Institute for Sustainability Leadership, IESE, who joined remotely from Barcelona.

The era of shareholder supremacy which lasted 30 years is over, but we have yet to find an alternative framework. There is a need to redefine value creation by companies and the roles and responsibilities that managers play; there is no clear answer yet and the conversation is ongoing. We hope that this forum helps advance the pursuit of finding those answers.

The Asahi Shimbun published an interview with Professor Junko Edahiro (in Japanese). The article discusses “negative capability”, a concept that Prof. Edahiro elaborates in her recent publication.

Article: （インタビュー）答えを急がない力　帚木蓬生さん、枝廣淳子さん

（インタビュー）答えを急がない力　帚木蓬生さん、枝廣淳子さん：朝日新聞デジタル 　■解なき今を照らすために　「ネガティブ・ケイパビリティ（負の能力）」という、聞き慣れない言葉がある。素早く答えを出すのが、ふつうの「能力」だとすれば、その逆をいく言葉だ。不安な時代を生き抜くために、...

Happy Holidays from Shizenkan University!

We wish our Shizenkan community a joyful and festive holiday season! As we celebrate the spirit of togetherness, we would like to express our gratitude for your continued support and dedication.
Please note that our office will be closed from December 25 to January 3. We'll be back and ready to assist you on January 4th!
May your holidays be filled with warmth, laughter, and precious moments. Here's to a fantastic New Year!

The Recruit Management Solutions interviewed Shizenkan University's Vice President, Professor Katsuhiko Yoshikawa for their website. The interview discusses topics such as HR mobility, including two core aspects of the topic which are internal and external career mobility.

【インタビュー】大学院大学至善館 吉川克彦氏｜組織開発・人事制度｜リクルートマネジメントソリューションズ 人材育成・研修のリクルートマネジメントソリューションズが提供するインタビュー、「社内のナレッジ流通を活性化させるための異動もあり得るのでは」です。リクルートマネジメントソリューションズは人材育成、組織...

The Shizenkan Negotiation & Leadership Center (Director: Adjunct Professor Jiro Tamura) has been established as part of the Shizenkan Center for Management Innovation.
The website of the Shizenkan Leadership Conversation School (至善館リーダーシップ対話塾), which was launched in October as part of the Center's activities, is now available (Japanese only).

https://ln.shizenkan.ac.jp/

The Shizenkan Leadership Conversation School (至善館リーダーシップ対話塾) is an educational program designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders by providing a systematic study of leadership. The program lasts three months and consists of five sessions (every other week).

It has become a Shizenkan tradition for the first year students to participate in virtual trips to India and Japan.

Our partner institution in India, the School of Inspired Leadership, invited Shizenkan students to a virtual trip around India, introducing its traditions, culture and daily life.

In return, Shizenkan students prepared a trip to Japan with live streaming from famous locations in Tokyo, such as Akihabara, the Shibuya intersection, and the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. Japanese traditions such as flower viewing, fireworks, winter illuminations, and seasonal foods play an important role in the daily lives of people living in Japan to this day. Shizenkan students invited their Indian colleagues to experience their daily life, commuting to work, meeting business partners, shopping with friends, playing traditional Japanese musical instruments, and so on. And in another Japanese business tradition, the eventful day ended with a nomikai (drinking party) at an izakaya (Japanese pub) with a cheerful “kanpai”!