Yuko Eguchi, MBA-IB Graduate, Class of 2024
This is a selective training program organized by Waseda University, supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, for universities affiliated with GTIE (Greater Tokyo Innovation Ecosystem), including the University of Tsukuba. The program is designed for young entrepreneurs and student entrepreneurs aspiring to global business development, providing them with opportunities to acquire international-level entrepreneurial skills and network with overseas startups, young entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and universities with innovative technology through intensive programs such as boot camps in Japan and local programs in Melbourne.
From March 4th to 8th, 2024, I participated in practical classes at the Melbourne Business School, led by highly experienced lecturers who themselves have founded startup companies. They were deeply engaged, and each lecture offered new insights. Additionally, I had the privilege of joining lunch gatherings with the founders of numerous Australian startups, providing a valuable opportunity for personal discussions on the essential aspects of entrepreneurship. After class, I explored the city and savored Melbourne's unique charm. With the help of many people, I was able to visit the consulate, the accelerator, and the institute of a joint venture between the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital to have fruitful discussions. On the last day, I presented in front of local venture capitalists and received invaluable feedback. This experience will undoubtedly benefit my future endeavors.
The most influential lesson I learned from this training was the importance of recognizing "small wins" and consistently striving to achieve them. In various societal, work, and academic contexts, we are frequently pressured for results. Only outcomes are typically celebrated, with little attention given to the journey and setbacks encountered along the way. Yet, I was reminded that every task, regardless of its scale, holds value when we commit to it and see it through to completion. The cultivation of a daily sense of accomplishment forms the bedrock upon which significant success is ultimately built.
Melbourne's generous support for startups, the friendliness of its people, and the beauty of the city all contributed to a truly wonderful week that I will never forget. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved for allowing me to participate in this program.
Yuko Eguchi, MBA-IB Graduate, Class of 2024
JETRO held the first of its entrepreneurship development and overseas dispatch programs for students. The program is part of the J-StarX initiative sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), which aims to send 1,000 entrepreneurial talents overseas over five years to strengthen the global startup ecosystem in Japan.
From September 18th to 23rd, 2023, lectures by entrepreneurs, engineers, and graduates from GAFA living in Silicon Valley, as well as workshops on design thinking, were conducted. Thirty selected students from high schools, technical colleges, universities, and graduate schools from across Japan participated in the program. The students, who differed in age and expertise, enthusiastically exchanged knowledge, fostered connections, and cultivated the innovative mindset essential for future entrepreneurial pursuits.
The three-day design thinking training at IDEO, a global design & innovation company, was especially beneficial. Experiencing a series of steps, beginning with user interviews, progressing through idea divergence and convergence with team members, creating prototypes, and refining them based on feedback, proved extremely valuable. My business plan, which was in the conceptual stage before I participated in the program, was subsequently transformed into a detailed prototype utilizing the skills acquired during the training.
In my discussions with local entrepreneurs, I gleaned insights into the significance of prioritizing one's health, perpetual learning, and cultivating reciprocal networks for conducting business. I will hold dear the lessons acquired from this program and the relationships fostered, aspiring to contribute to society in the future.
Our student, Akiyoshi Nagashima, gave a presentation on "Decision analysis of Japan's Green Transition Policy" at "the International Conference on Business, Economics, & Information Technology" held in Naha on March 14–15, 2024.
Professor Dr. Kevin K.W. Ho also attended this conference along with Associate Professor Dr. Shaoyu Ye (from our Institute of Library, Information, and Media Science) and presented on "The Creation, Spreading, and Slowing down of False Health Information: a Conceptual Model".
Professor Ho also presented in the Panel on Generative AI and University Education, hosted by Professor Dr. Akihiro Noguchi of Nanzan University.
We are proud to announce that MBA Program in International Business (MBA-IB) has been awarded the ABEST21 Good Practice Award for AY2023 by the ABEST21 Accreditation Committee.
With this award, ABEST21 commends the program for "International Business for Real World Education" education and research.
A former student of MBA-IB has published the following academic paper based on her business project.
Wells, J. and Tan, C.S.L. (2024), "Examining the influence of functional value, social value and emotional value on purchase intention for tires in Japan", Journal of Asia Business Studies, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print.
https://doi.org/10.1108/JABS-01-2023-0007
A group of first and second-year MBA-IB students embarked on visits in San Francisco, Berkeley and Silicon Valley to various organizations and institutions from February 18 - 23, 2024. delving into a myriad of issues impacting diverse industries.
Throughout these visits, our students not only absorbed insights but also shared their research findings, effectively applying the knowledge gleaned from their MBA-IB classes.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Ovidian, Stanford PACS, Idemitsu Americas Holdings, Zoom, Nomura-SRI, PARC, Novity, NTT DOCOMO Ventures, Inc., and Wildtype for generously granting our students such invaluable opportunities.
On February 18, 2024, our student, Yuko Eguchi was selected as one of 10 speakers and received the "Best Design Thinking Award" at the DEMO DAY of the "Tech Science Student Dispatch Program to Silicon Valley" (September 18-25, 2023).
Below is a comment from her.
Presentation Details:My presentation focused on specific processes and outcomes of ideation, prototyping, and iterative refinement based on user interviews and feedback analysis. This approach was deeply rooted in the principles I learned during my training at IDEO, spending much of my time in the Silicon Valley Program. Specifically, it was about the creation of a "support service for cancer patients and their families," which was the subject of my research at the University of Tsukuba MBA-IB. Through several hours of interviews with cancer patients and their families, I identified issues and proposed solutions.
Reasons for the award:
The following comment was given as the reason for the award.
"In the field of health care, where it is difficult to be close to people, listening to their stories and drawing out their issues is commendable. In terms of the mindset as well as the design thinking approach, we selected a winner with the expectation that a better service will be created in the future."
I was most pleased to receive a meaningful evaluation of the project that I have been working on for the past two years at MBA-IB. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who generously shared their experiences, enriching my understanding of the challenges faced by individuals battling cancer. Special appreciation goes to the faculty members who provided invaluable guidance, nurturing the transformation of my ideas into actionable solutions. Furthermore, I am indebted to the organizers of the program for affording me the opportunity to explore Silicon Valley and gather invaluable experiences. I am committed to leveraging these experiences to contribute meaningfully to society.
A former student of MBA-IB has published the following academic paper based on his business project.
Fukui, M. and Tan, C.S.L. (2024). A study on factors affecting Japanese consumer's behavior toward 5G smartphone purchase. Journal of Asia Business Studies, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print.
https://doi.org/10.1108/JABS-11-2022-0372
Associate Professor Dr. Caroline S.L. Tan published the following two cases in SAGE Business Cases under SAGE Knowledge.
[Title]
When Ethical Meets Ramen: Noodle Stand Tokyo
[DOI]
https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071924433
[Title]
Bonding Over A Pint Online: Be Easy Brewing
[DOI]
https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071940334
Tohara, Y. (2024) Transparency or ambiguity? Voluntary IFRS adoption and earnings management in Japan. Accounting & Finance, 00, 1–28.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/acfi.13221