Doing Business in Asia | Tokyo Module

Cross-Cultural Deep Dive: An MBA Odyssey

After the reopening of international travel following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Doing Business in Asia (DBiA) course organized jointly between Hitotsubashi ICS, Peking University Guanghua School of Management, and Seoul National University Business School made a welcome return to in-person sessions. In this course, participants compare and contrast the environments for "doing business" in Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo.

The course brought together 25 students from three business schools, starting with the Tokyo Module. The theme for the Tokyo Module was "Matured Japan." Among the three countries, the Japanese economy is considered the most mature in various aspects and now faces challenges associated with this economic maturity.

For the relaunch of in-person DBiA, students took a deep dive into the real estate development in a mature, slow-growth economy. Under the auspices of Tokyu Corporation and Toho Leo Co., Ltd., students gained insights into how these Japanese companies are redefining their value proposition for their customers.

Throughout the three and a half days on the Tokyo Module, students attended in-person lectures by ICS faculty, as well as corporate executives from Tokyu and Toho Leo. They also participated in panel discussions with other real estate business leaders. In addition, students joined field visits to several notable locations: Tokyu Corporation's newly launched Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, Shibuya Hikarie, and Shibuya Scramble Square. They also explored Toho Leo's various projects, starting with Kudan House, followed by urban renewal projects in the Yurakucho area like Slit Park and Ryozan Park, and concluding with visits to Social Impact Lab (So-La) in Sugamo and Otsuka.

On the final day, three groups of students, comprising members from all the participating business schools, presented their insights on "the value of real estate" in a mature market. They also shared ideas about business opportunities that could add value to the Japanese real estate industry.