AOTS E-Newsletter: Management Training in Japan /Information from Hiroshima Global Academy (HiGA) /Insight
2026/05/29 (Fri) 10:30
◆◇ AOTS E-Newsletter ◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
29 May 2026
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"AOTS E-Newsletter" is published by the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS)
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*This e-mail has been sent from a send-only address.
*There have been more and more cases of subscribers not receiving AOTS E-Newsletters via Yahoo address or Gmail address. If you are using Yahoo address or Gmail address and willing to continue to receive the AOTS E-Newsletters without fail, we recommend changing your email provider to another one. It may be possible to avoid such a case by unblocking "johochosa@aots.jp" if your email provider offers such a service.
<Index>
1. Management Training in Japan (Subsidized program)
2. Information from Hiroshima Global Academy (HiGA)
3. Insight: Thoughts on the Management Philosophy of Various Japanese Companies
----------------------------------------------------
1) Management Training in Japan (Subsidized program)
-----------------------------------------------------
Applications for the following courses are now open! Don't miss out on this great opportunity!.
1) Program for All Countries [Language: English]
(1)The Executive Program on Corporate Management [EPCM].
Widen your perspectives and upgrade your performance as an executive through high level discussions utilizing the Case Method.
Duration: From 2 September to 15 September 2026.
Place: AOTS Tokyo Kenshu Center (Adachi-ku, Tokyo, Japan).
2) Program for Africa [Language: English]
(1)The Program on Corporate Management for Africa -Creating Value from Customer's Viewpoint- [AFCM].
AFCM aims to deepen understanding of customer-centric value creation and the customer value creation process, enabling participants to apply these concepts in real-world business management settings.
Duration: From 7 October to 20 October 2026.
Place: AOTS Kansai Kenshu Center (Osaka-shi, Osaka, Japan).
How to apply: Applications will be accepted via AOTS Alumni Societies. Please contact the closest one.
https://www.aots.jp/en/alumni/about/
Please visit AOTS website for more info.
https://www.aots.jp/en/what-we-do/hrd/management/subsidized/list-of-courses/
FAQ for Management Programs.
https://www.aots.jp/en/what-we-do/hrd/management/subsidized/list-of-courses/faq/
Inquiry: AOTS Overseas Cooperation Group I
E-mail: shouhei-au@aots.jp
Tel: +81-(0)3-3888-8256
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2. Information from Hiroshima Global Academy (HiGA)
-----------------------------------------------------
Hiroshima Global Academy (HiGA) is located on an island in Hiroshima, Japan.
We are an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School that offers the Diploma Program (DP) from Grades 10 through to 12.
Additionally, our school offers a full board dormitory system.
We provide a high-quality education at an affordable price.
Click here for an overview of the school.
https://higa-s.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Pamphlet-Eng-ver.pdf
Click here for information on the University Acceptance results of our graduates.
https://higa-s.jp/en/senior-high/transition-to-higher-education/
We are going to have the school information webinar at 1:00 pm on the 20th of June 2026, JST.
We would like to welcome you to the webinar!
Please check the URL below for more details.
Click here for information about the school information webinar.
https://higa-s.jp/en/senior-high-news/we-will-be-holding-an-online-information-session-for-high-school-students-in-the-2026-academic-year/
Click here for information about Admissions.
https://higa-s.jp/en/senior-high/index/application-process/
[Inquiry]
higa2022@higanet.higa.ed.jp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Insight: Thoughts on the Management Philosophy of Various Japanese Companies
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even Konosuke Matsushita, who is known as the "God of Management" in Japan, had difficulty with business succession at the company he founded, Panasonic. In fact, he failed once when choosing a successor.
To uphold a management philosophy, one must have the management skills needed to put that philosophy into practice. A philosophy is not just words: it only has meaning when it is reflected in daily management decisions and actions. If someone lacks qualities and skills as a manager, they will not be able to show others the way to achieve a management philosophy, no matter how noble it is. As a result, a disconnect will occur between the philosophy and reality, leading to a lack of faith among employees. Therefore, when a founder is choosing a successor, I believe it is crucial that they make the decision with a selfless mindset, based on the management philosophy they advocate.
In 1961, when Kounosuke was 66 years old, he appointed his 49-year-old son-in-law as Matsushita Electric's second president. In contrast to his management philosophy, which always preached that "a company is a public institution," he insisted on succession based on blood ties rather than ability.
However, when he realized that he was concerned about the new president's management skills, Kounosuke grew impatient and went over the president's head, effectively taking direct control of the company's operations just three years later. While this enabled the company to overcome a temporary management crisis, it created a two-tiered management structure, which led to confusion.
After reflecting on his actions, Kounosuke selected a junior director called Toshihiko Yamashita as the third president in 1977. In the mass media, this shock appointment, in which a lowly director ranked second from the bottom (25th out of 26) was suddenly named president, was dubbed the "Yamashita jump" in reference to the vaulting prowess of Haruhiro Yamashita, a well-known gymnast of the time.
Yamashita was an employee who hadn't graduated from university and who quit Matsushita Electric once, then returned to the company. By the standards of the time, he was a man who would never become the president. What's more, it seemed that Yamashita had infuriated Kounosuke many times by brazenly disagreeing with the founder's opinions when he thought they were wrong. It is said that Kounosuke appointed Yamashita despite this because he realized that there was not a trace of self-interest in his words and actions.
At the same time, he came to believe that his former successes were based on the optimal solutions under past conditions and could not necessarily be applied directly in the current management environment. Konosuke Matsushita viewed Yamashita as someone with the potential to surpass his own past achievements, and unlike the previous time, he decided not to interfere in his successor's management, even if he was dissatisfied or anxious. Instead, he watched over him calmly and patiently.
After Yamashita took over, the company achieved record results year after year. During his nine years as president, he transformed Matsushita Electric from a manufacturer of home appliances into a comprehensive electronics manufacturer, increasing both sales and operating profit by 2.6 times.
To be continued in the next edition.
Rikio Suma, Author
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Others
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<Inquiries>
https://www.aots.jp/en/contact/
<Past Issues>
https://h.bme.jp/bm/p/bn/list.php?i=hri_hida&no=all
<Unsubscribe or change your registered e-mail address>.
https://www.aots.jp/en/publications/newsletter/
*If you want to change your registered email address, please unsubscribe once with your old address and register your subscription with your new address at the above website.
<Privacy Policy>
Your personal information is protected and is not made public. Any information you provide through AOTS website and email will only be used by us to provide you with AOTS E-newsletters, occasional information and related questionnaires.
Copyright 2016
The Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS) 30-1, Senju-Azuma 1-chome, Adachi-ku, Tokyo 120-8534, JAPAN
29 May 2026
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"AOTS E-Newsletter" is published by the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*This e-mail has been sent from a send-only address.
*There have been more and more cases of subscribers not receiving AOTS E-Newsletters via Yahoo address or Gmail address. If you are using Yahoo address or Gmail address and willing to continue to receive the AOTS E-Newsletters without fail, we recommend changing your email provider to another one. It may be possible to avoid such a case by unblocking "johochosa@aots.jp" if your email provider offers such a service.
<Index>
1. Management Training in Japan (Subsidized program)
2. Information from Hiroshima Global Academy (HiGA)
3. Insight: Thoughts on the Management Philosophy of Various Japanese Companies
----------------------------------------------------
1) Management Training in Japan (Subsidized program)
-----------------------------------------------------
Applications for the following courses are now open! Don't miss out on this great opportunity!.
1) Program for All Countries [Language: English]
(1)The Executive Program on Corporate Management [EPCM].
Widen your perspectives and upgrade your performance as an executive through high level discussions utilizing the Case Method.
Duration: From 2 September to 15 September 2026.
Place: AOTS Tokyo Kenshu Center (Adachi-ku, Tokyo, Japan).
2) Program for Africa [Language: English]
(1)The Program on Corporate Management for Africa -Creating Value from Customer's Viewpoint- [AFCM].
AFCM aims to deepen understanding of customer-centric value creation and the customer value creation process, enabling participants to apply these concepts in real-world business management settings.
Duration: From 7 October to 20 October 2026.
Place: AOTS Kansai Kenshu Center (Osaka-shi, Osaka, Japan).
How to apply: Applications will be accepted via AOTS Alumni Societies. Please contact the closest one.
https://www.aots.jp/en/alumni/about/
Please visit AOTS website for more info.
https://www.aots.jp/en/what-we-do/hrd/management/subsidized/list-of-courses/
FAQ for Management Programs.
https://www.aots.jp/en/what-we-do/hrd/management/subsidized/list-of-courses/faq/
Inquiry: AOTS Overseas Cooperation Group I
E-mail: shouhei-au@aots.jp
Tel: +81-(0)3-3888-8256
-----------------------------------------------------
2. Information from Hiroshima Global Academy (HiGA)
-----------------------------------------------------
Hiroshima Global Academy (HiGA) is located on an island in Hiroshima, Japan.
We are an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School that offers the Diploma Program (DP) from Grades 10 through to 12.
Additionally, our school offers a full board dormitory system.
We provide a high-quality education at an affordable price.
Click here for an overview of the school.
https://higa-s.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Pamphlet-Eng-ver.pdf
Click here for information on the University Acceptance results of our graduates.
https://higa-s.jp/en/senior-high/transition-to-higher-education/
We are going to have the school information webinar at 1:00 pm on the 20th of June 2026, JST.
We would like to welcome you to the webinar!
Please check the URL below for more details.
Click here for information about the school information webinar.
https://higa-s.jp/en/senior-high-news/we-will-be-holding-an-online-information-session-for-high-school-students-in-the-2026-academic-year/
Click here for information about Admissions.
https://higa-s.jp/en/senior-high/index/application-process/
[Inquiry]
higa2022@higanet.higa.ed.jp
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Insight: Thoughts on the Management Philosophy of Various Japanese Companies
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even Konosuke Matsushita, who is known as the "God of Management" in Japan, had difficulty with business succession at the company he founded, Panasonic. In fact, he failed once when choosing a successor.
To uphold a management philosophy, one must have the management skills needed to put that philosophy into practice. A philosophy is not just words: it only has meaning when it is reflected in daily management decisions and actions. If someone lacks qualities and skills as a manager, they will not be able to show others the way to achieve a management philosophy, no matter how noble it is. As a result, a disconnect will occur between the philosophy and reality, leading to a lack of faith among employees. Therefore, when a founder is choosing a successor, I believe it is crucial that they make the decision with a selfless mindset, based on the management philosophy they advocate.
In 1961, when Kounosuke was 66 years old, he appointed his 49-year-old son-in-law as Matsushita Electric's second president. In contrast to his management philosophy, which always preached that "a company is a public institution," he insisted on succession based on blood ties rather than ability.
However, when he realized that he was concerned about the new president's management skills, Kounosuke grew impatient and went over the president's head, effectively taking direct control of the company's operations just three years later. While this enabled the company to overcome a temporary management crisis, it created a two-tiered management structure, which led to confusion.
After reflecting on his actions, Kounosuke selected a junior director called Toshihiko Yamashita as the third president in 1977. In the mass media, this shock appointment, in which a lowly director ranked second from the bottom (25th out of 26) was suddenly named president, was dubbed the "Yamashita jump" in reference to the vaulting prowess of Haruhiro Yamashita, a well-known gymnast of the time.
Yamashita was an employee who hadn't graduated from university and who quit Matsushita Electric once, then returned to the company. By the standards of the time, he was a man who would never become the president. What's more, it seemed that Yamashita had infuriated Kounosuke many times by brazenly disagreeing with the founder's opinions when he thought they were wrong. It is said that Kounosuke appointed Yamashita despite this because he realized that there was not a trace of self-interest in his words and actions.
At the same time, he came to believe that his former successes were based on the optimal solutions under past conditions and could not necessarily be applied directly in the current management environment. Konosuke Matsushita viewed Yamashita as someone with the potential to surpass his own past achievements, and unlike the previous time, he decided not to interfere in his successor's management, even if he was dissatisfied or anxious. Instead, he watched over him calmly and patiently.
After Yamashita took over, the company achieved record results year after year. During his nine years as president, he transformed Matsushita Electric from a manufacturer of home appliances into a comprehensive electronics manufacturer, increasing both sales and operating profit by 2.6 times.
To be continued in the next edition.
Rikio Suma, Author
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Others
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<Inquiries>
https://www.aots.jp/en/contact/
<Past Issues>
https://h.bme.jp/bm/p/bn/list.php?i=hri_hida&no=all
<Unsubscribe or change your registered e-mail address>.
https://www.aots.jp/en/publications/newsletter/
*If you want to change your registered email address, please unsubscribe once with your old address and register your subscription with your new address at the above website.
<Privacy Policy>
Your personal information is protected and is not made public. Any information you provide through AOTS website and email will only be used by us to provide you with AOTS E-newsletters, occasional information and related questionnaires.
Copyright 2016
The Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS) 30-1, Senju-Azuma 1-chome, Adachi-ku, Tokyo 120-8534, JAPAN