AOTS E-Newsletter: Management Training in Japan /Insight
2026/06/30 (Tue) 10:30
◆◇ AOTS E-Newsletter ◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
30 June 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. 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 Program for Quality Management [PQM].
Upgrade the participants’ capabilities of implementing a quality oriented management system designed for mainly senior managers with responsibility for improving the quality of products and services.
Duration: From 16 November to 27 November 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).
3) Program for Indonesia [Language: Indonesian]
(1)The Program on Productivity Improvement for Indonesia - Decarbonization through Energy-Saving Improvements in Manufacturing Sites - [IDPI] *Zero Emission Program.
This program is designed for managers, etc. in Indonesia’s manufacturing industry. By learning three approaches to energy conservation in production processes－equipment upgrades, productivity improvements, and management and operational improvements－along with specific methodologies, participants will gain the skills to improve their companies’ production processes upon returning home, promote energy conservation and CO2 reduction, and contribute to decarbonized business operations.
*The subsidy rate for this program differs from that of other programs. Please refer to the program outline for details.
Duration: From 18 November to 1 December 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. Insight: Thoughts on the Management Philosophy of Various Japanese Companies
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I believe that the final task of a manager is choosing a successor. When doing this, it's important to make a decision that is not influenced by your personal feelings or self-interest. That said, everyone has their weak spots. A company's founder may want his son to take over the business, or a leader may want to retain some influence when naming his successor.
That's part of human nature. Even Konosuke Matsushita failed once. But in the end, he was able to set aside his personal desires, emotions, and self-interest and, based on the view that a "company is a public institution," choose the best person for the company as his successor.
It is said that Kazuo Inamori learned a great deal from Konosuke Matsushita, who was his mentor as a manager. I do not know whether he applied those teachings when choosing his successors, but he is recognized around the world as a president who was very successful in this regard.
Inamori became president of Kyocera in 1966, when he was 34. He then stepped down as president and became chairman in 1985, at the age of 53. This may be considered rather early to resign as president. I think that Inamori believed from the bottom of his heart that Kyocera did not belong to him－instead, it was a public institution or a company that belonged to the employees. It is likely that when he objectively realized he was no longer the right person to serve as Kyocera's president, he thought he should promptly hand over the reins to the best person for the job.
Inamori always stated that the most important quality of a leader was an "impartial mind." A famous story about him is that whenever he made a significant business decision, he would repeatedly ask himself "are my motives virtuous or selfish?" before reaching a conclusion. He surely did this when selecting his successor. Rather than choosing someone who would be convenient for him, I believe he considered who was better qualified than him at that time to maximize customer/societal satisfaction and employee happiness.
Inamori said, "When deciding on my successor, I did not simply consider ability. Skills related to management and technology are of course important, but the most important thing of all is 'spirit.' It is essential to possess a sincere, kind, compassionate heart and a spirit of altruism, and that's the type of person I chose as my successor. Needless to say, being able to do the job is also a fundamental prerequisite."
In 2010, during his twilight years, Inamori returned to the front lines of management at the request of the government in order to rebuild Japan Airlines after it went bankrupt. He turned the company around in just two years, but having established a solid organizational structure that ensured his successor could take the helm with peace of mind, he stepped down from his position as top executive the following year.
The person Inamori picked as his successor at that time was a pilot with no management experience who had worked his way up through the ranks. "Based on various remarks he made, I sensed that he was very dignified. That's why I made him president. Since he did a remarkable job managing the company, I believe I made the right choice," he later said.
To be continued in the next edition.
Rikio Suma, Author
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<Unsubscribe or change your registered e-mail address>.
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<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
30 June 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. 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 Program for Quality Management [PQM].
Upgrade the participants’ capabilities of implementing a quality oriented management system designed for mainly senior managers with responsibility for improving the quality of products and services.
Duration: From 16 November to 27 November 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).
3) Program for Indonesia [Language: Indonesian]
(1)The Program on Productivity Improvement for Indonesia - Decarbonization through Energy-Saving Improvements in Manufacturing Sites - [IDPI] *Zero Emission Program.
This program is designed for managers, etc. in Indonesia’s manufacturing industry. By learning three approaches to energy conservation in production processes－equipment upgrades, productivity improvements, and management and operational improvements－along with specific methodologies, participants will gain the skills to improve their companies’ production processes upon returning home, promote energy conservation and CO2 reduction, and contribute to decarbonized business operations.
*The subsidy rate for this program differs from that of other programs. Please refer to the program outline for details.
Duration: From 18 November to 1 December 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. Insight: Thoughts on the Management Philosophy of Various Japanese Companies
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I believe that the final task of a manager is choosing a successor. When doing this, it's important to make a decision that is not influenced by your personal feelings or self-interest. That said, everyone has their weak spots. A company's founder may want his son to take over the business, or a leader may want to retain some influence when naming his successor.
That's part of human nature. Even Konosuke Matsushita failed once. But in the end, he was able to set aside his personal desires, emotions, and self-interest and, based on the view that a "company is a public institution," choose the best person for the company as his successor.
It is said that Kazuo Inamori learned a great deal from Konosuke Matsushita, who was his mentor as a manager. I do not know whether he applied those teachings when choosing his successors, but he is recognized around the world as a president who was very successful in this regard.
Inamori became president of Kyocera in 1966, when he was 34. He then stepped down as president and became chairman in 1985, at the age of 53. This may be considered rather early to resign as president. I think that Inamori believed from the bottom of his heart that Kyocera did not belong to him－instead, it was a public institution or a company that belonged to the employees. It is likely that when he objectively realized he was no longer the right person to serve as Kyocera's president, he thought he should promptly hand over the reins to the best person for the job.
Inamori always stated that the most important quality of a leader was an "impartial mind." A famous story about him is that whenever he made a significant business decision, he would repeatedly ask himself "are my motives virtuous or selfish?" before reaching a conclusion. He surely did this when selecting his successor. Rather than choosing someone who would be convenient for him, I believe he considered who was better qualified than him at that time to maximize customer/societal satisfaction and employee happiness.
Inamori said, "When deciding on my successor, I did not simply consider ability. Skills related to management and technology are of course important, but the most important thing of all is 'spirit.' It is essential to possess a sincere, kind, compassionate heart and a spirit of altruism, and that's the type of person I chose as my successor. Needless to say, being able to do the job is also a fundamental prerequisite."
In 2010, during his twilight years, Inamori returned to the front lines of management at the request of the government in order to rebuild Japan Airlines after it went bankrupt. He turned the company around in just two years, but having established a solid organizational structure that ensured his successor could take the helm with peace of mind, he stepped down from his position as top executive the following year.
The person Inamori picked as his successor at that time was a pilot with no management experience who had worked his way up through the ranks. "Based on various remarks he made, I sensed that he was very dignified. That's why I made him president. Since he did a remarkable job managing the company, I believe I made the right choice," he later said.
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