Tokyo (SCCIJ) – The Annual General Meeting of the SCCIJ has elected Mr. Naoshi Takatsu, Representative Director of Naoshi Takatsu & Associates, as a new member of the Executive Committee. We introduce him through an interview.
New SCCIJ Executive Committee member Nr. Naoshi Takatsu
SCCIJ: Please introduce yourself briefly.
Naoshi Takatsu: I run a company that represents IMD, a business school based in Lausanne, for its executive education business in the Japanese market. IMD works with numbers of Japan-based companies in the development of business leaders. I support the design and delivery of company-specific customized programs, help select suitable open enrolment programs out of the IMD portfolio to both individual and corporate clients.
SCCIJ: How do you live and work?
Naoshi Takatsu: I write, publish, or speak on IMD insights and mine, relevant to the Japanese business community. Besides, I live in Tokyo with my wife and son. I love cycling, skiing, traveling and taking photographs and appreciate art and craftworks. I studied politics, business, and design, speak English, and French, and I consider myself a perpetual learner.
SCCIJ: Why did you decide to work for the SCCIJ as a member of the executive committee?
Naoshi Takatsu: To contribute to the community that I love and respect. I have had the pleasure of working with the SCCIJ and the Swiss Embassy for the annual Switzerland-Japan Economic Forum as one of the organizers. It helped me establish mutual respect and friendship with key SCCIJ members, who kindly asked me to join the Executive Committee. So why would I refuse? It is a vibrant network of great individuals and organizations that I feel proud to be part of it.
SCCIJ: How important is the “Swissness” of your company for doing business in Japan?
Naoshi Takatsu: Swissness is highly relevant, as it evokes excellence, refined services, and neutrality. The country is also known for its beauty and safety. Swissness often leads the Japanese to choose IMD over other European and American business schools.
SCCIJ: How has your company in Japan and its headquarter in Switzerland been coping with the Covid-19 crisis?
Naoshi Takatsu: The face to face executive programs in the IMD Lausanne campus are currently suspended. IMD and I are asking the participants registered to the programs this spring to transfer to the sessions later this year, and most of them accept that, instead of canceling their participation. Many corporate clients with imminent needs for executive discussions and learnings accept “virtualization,” which is for IMD faculty and coaches to provide lectures and facilitate discussions using tools such as Zoom. IMD team and I are positively discovering the impact of virtual sessions.
What do you expect as possible consequences of this crisis?
Naoshi Takatsu: One, IMD’s award-winning online programs may continue to experience more intense demands as before the crisis. Two, IMD and I see the current crisis also an unexpected opportunity to develop our virtual and digital capabilities further. I believe IMD and I will have a beneficial blend of face to face and virtual interventions. For example, IMD has just started the “Leading in turbulent times” webinar series to provide faculty insights relevant now. So far, I particularly enjoyed the one entitled “Fighting Coronavirus with AI.”
Besides this crisis, what are your most significant aims or concerns in achieving success in your business in Japan?
Naoshi Takatsu: My biggest aim is to support the global collaboration and exchange of knowledge, insights, and passion, between Japan and the rest of the world, through my affiliation with Swiss-based IMD. English language fluency, or lack of it, still is an enormous wall for IMD’s business expansion in Japan. I work on the release of the Japanese language version of the IMD authors’ books and articles, to contribute to the Japanese business community with IMD knowledge and ideas, and also support IMD faculty to write cases on Japanese companies. Yet, I do not wish to go down the path of “japanizing” IMD contents and delivery too much, as Japanese companies and executives need to embrace global collaboration.
Interview: Martin Fritz for SCCIJ
