Yu Matsuura and Dana Zhang, MBA students from the Class of 2024, reflect on their visit to Tokai Spring, a specialized spring manufacturer in Hyogo Prefecture. As part of their Japan Business and Economy course at Hitotsubashi ICS, they explored how strategy, craftsmanship, and culture intersect in Japanese SMEs. Through a factory tour, hands-on experience, and conversation with the company president, they gained fresh insights into the value of focus, trust, and “not competing” as a strategic choice.

Nico Moreno, an alumnus from the MBA Class of 2021, reflects on his transformative journey from founding a watch brand in the Philippines to pursuing an MBA at Hitotsubashi ICS. In his reflection, he shares how his search for deeper knowledge and perspective in watchmaking led him to Japan, where he encountered the SECI model of knowledge creation and the concept of 'Shokunin,' the spirit of the artisan. He discusses the challenges, insights, and motivations that shaped his decision to join the ICS program and how this experience helped guide the next chapter of his ongoing story.

Aki Fushima, a 2023 MBA graduate, reflects on her journey from initial motivation to securing a spot at her dream school, Hitotsubashi ICS. She shares insights into her application experience and what it took to achieve this milestone. 

ESMT Berlin's MBA students recently embarked on a transformative journey to Japan, marking a significant academic and professional development milestone. This international field study was facilitated by ICS and designed to immerse students in the rich and diverse business environment of Japan.

Aly Valdemoro, an ICS alumna from the MBA Class of 2022, shares her insights and experience about the course Doing Business in Asia (DBiA) 2023 for her kouhais (juniors). She was a recipient of the Young Leaders' Program. 

K.C. Wang and Qianyi Ye, two MBA Program students from the Class of 2022, share their immersive internship experience in this exclusive edition of Byline ICS. Hosted by Hitotsubashi ICS and the Ajinomoto Foundation, this internship program provided a platform for them to showcase how they effectively applied their MBA knowledge and professional expertise.

Pari joined the Hitotsubashi ICS MBA Class of 2022 as a Young Leaders Program (YLP) scholar, bringing with her an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit and a wealth of diverse industry experiences. Her passion for sustainability and her drive to make a positive impact on the world set her apart as an exceptional addition to the program.

Angela joined the ICS 2-year MBA program in 2022, bringing with her diverse industry experiences ranging from AI, high tech, life science, and semiconductor sectors. Drawing from her professional tenure mostly in Silicon Valley, she offers valuable insights into human capital practices and organization effectiveness. After earning her master’s degree in human resources management from Michigan State University, she joined Fortune 100 companies, honing hands-on skills and gaining invaluable field experiences.

As a Teaching Assistant for the course, Kuo Jian Wong offers unique insights. A recent graduate of Hitotsubashi ICS's MBA Class of 2021, he completed his 2-year MBA program in August 2023. Jian provides a glimpse into this newly endowed course, which was jointly run by Hitotsubashi ICS and INPEX Corporation. 

During the thrilling conclusion of Fireside Chat 1, we had the incredible opportunity to unite aspiring MBA applicants with ICS alumni from different class years. Participants engaged in lively dialogues, discussing various aspects of the ICS culture, the student experience, and the MBA journey. Alumni panelists also shared valuable insights into how their post-ICS MBA experiences have contributed to their current successes in life.

Recently graduated, Louise Lane Calicdan, a Young Leaders Program (YLP) scholar from the MBA Class of 2022, shares her remarkable experience undertaking Doing Business in Asia (DBiA). The program was annually run by Hitotsubashi ICS, Guanghua School of Management at Peking University, and the Graduate School of Business at Seoul National University. Hailing from an arts and cultural background, she approaches DBiA from an interesting perspective. 

During our recent online Open campus event, we had the pleasure of introducing participants to the vibrant culture of Hitotsubashi ICS, as well as providing insights into our MBA program and the unique offerings of our institution. One of the highlights was the opportunity for participants to delve into the world of Japanese Business and Economy (JBE), a signature course that forms an integral part of our MBA curriculum.

Qianyi Ye, a 2-year MBA Program student from the Class of 2022, shares her recent internship experience in this edition of Byline ICS. The internship program was jointly run by Hitotsubashi ICS and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST). In the article, she discusses how she leveraged both her current MBA learnings and her professional experience.

Hitotsubashi ICS organized, together with the ICS Alumni Association, the 2nd Online ICS Alumni Day on Saturday, June 25. The event was co-hosted by Professor Yoshi Fujikawa (Yoshi), the faculty in charge of external relations and external affairs, and Yukiko Ueno (Yuki), an EMBA alumna from the Class of 2020.

After having worked full-time for a few years, you may be looking for a new challenge in your career. Of course, you can simply try to get a promotion in the company you work for or find a job at a different company in a one-step-up role, but you might be interested in a more drastic change. Having some work experience is imperative, as MBA classes involve case-based discussions, so drawing on your professional experiences will contribute to peer learning.