Hitotsubashi ICS Commencement 2025: Congratulations to our Graduates!
By: The Commencement 2025 Team | September 2, 2025
Commencement is a celebration of dedication, resilience, and achievement. The Hitotsubashi ICS Commencement 2025 marked the culmination of an extraordinary journey for this year’s graduates. Together, we reflected on the countless hours of study, spirited case discussions, late-night group projects, strategy analyses, simulations, and presentations that defined the MBA experience. With deepest gratitude, we also acknowledged the families, friends, faculty, and staff who stood alongside our graduates from the very beginning—supporting them through the challenges of leaving home, balancing professional and personal commitments, and navigating the rigors of business school. This day was not only about receiving diplomas, but about celebrating the friendships, growth, and shared experiences that shaped our time at ICS.
“You built both here at ICS,” Professor Ono noted, encouraging graduates to maintain and nurture their knowledge and networks long after graduation:
“Reconnect with your classmates before you lose touch. Participate in alumni events. Plan reunions. Don’t forget that you are now part of the ICS alumni network.
Dean Emi Osono congratulated the graduates on their hard work, resilience, and accomplishments. She also invited everyone to reflect on the global challenges ahead, such as climate change, inequality, and conflict.
Drawing on global simulations and the concept of Dynamic Duality—embracing both/and rather than either/or—Dean Osono emphasized the need for graduates to be “idealistic realists”:
“Do not lose the vision of a better future, while also being realistic about the obstacles and resources available. As ICS graduates, you already have the foundation to collaborate across cultures and perspectives.”
She highlighted the ICS mission of developing global-minded leaders who can drive positive societal impact and recalled this year’s Symposium on Rethinking Capitalism, which explored how businesses can create value beyond financial returns.
“Capitalism is not static, leadership is not a formula, and the future is not predetermined,” Professor Suzuki reminded the graduates. “What matters most is your willingness to keep questioning, keep learning, and keep leading with wisdom and integrity.”
Representing the MBA Class of 2023, Katherine Lin delivered a moving and eloquent speech that captured the essence of their two-year journey at ICS. Her reflection beautifully balanced the unique academic challenges and the deep personal connections that defined their experience.
Katherine spoke of the “trauma bonding” that occurred during intense terms, and the profound impact of their peers and professors. She encouraged her classmates to embrace both the happy memories and the disagreements, recognizing that these moments led to personal growth and a deeper appreciation for their differences.
She concluded with a powerful call to action, urging her fellow graduates to carry the values of ICS forward:
“to act as global citizens and become ambassadors to bridge differences across the world.”
Her speech served as a poignant reminder that their journey was not just about professional development but about cultivating a community based on grace, compassion, and genuine curiosity.
Representing the MBA Class of 2024, Joe Tabing shared a heartfelt reflection on the challenges and rewards of the ICS journey. With humor and honesty, he spoke about the difficulties of adjusting to life away from home, balancing personal struggles, and navigating intense coursework—yet finding resilience and growth through the support of his classmates.
“Tough times bring people together. Slowly but surely, this forest became a village,” Joe said, describing how shared experiences, late-night study sessions, and moments of celebration transformed classmates into lifelong friends.
He highlighted the spirit of camaraderie both inside and outside the classroom—from animated case discussions to memorable nomikais, shared meals, and travels across Japan.
The ceremony concluded with applause and celebration for the graduates, who are now embarking on the next stage of their leadership journey.
We at Hitotsubashi ICS are proud to welcome them into our global alumni network. We look forward to seeing the impact they will make as leaders who embody the ICS spirit of inquiry, reflection, and action.
Congratulations to the Graduates of 2025!
Katherine Lin (2-Year MBA Class of 2023) / Joe Tabing (YLP MBA Class of 2024)