Japan module

Tokyo and Kanagawa, 21–24 April 2026

The fifth module of the Oxford Global CEO Programme took place in Japan over four days, combining academic sessions at the University of Tokyo, Waseda University and Kitasato University with visits to leading Japanese institutions and companies, and addresses from senior figures in Japanese public life and business.

Day 1 – University of Tokyo and Kitasato University

The module opened at the Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo, with a lecture by Professor Tomoo Marukawa on the Japanese economy and the global economic outlook, covering monetary policy, shifts in global trade and industrial restructuring, followed by extended discussion with delegates.

In the afternoon, the Rt Hon Sir Jeremy Hunt, former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Foreign Secretary, led a session on entrepreneurial resilience and decision-making under uncertainty. The session was structured as an interactive workshop in which delegates examined how leaders from different countries might respond to the same events, drawing on his experience of Brexit negotiations and periods of economic volatility.

Delegates then travelled to Kitasato University to hear Professor Satoshi Ōmura, joint recipient of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Professor Ōmura spoke about his career in microbiology, the discovery of avermectin and the development of ivermectin, and took extended questions from delegates. The session concluded with a visit to the university museum dedicated to his work.

Day 2 – Waseda University and the Shonan Robotics Center

The second day began at Waseda University with a session led by Professor Mitsuo Umezu on biomedical engineering and advanced medical technologies, including research on artificial hearts and artificial kidneys, with a tour of laboratory facilities.

In the afternoon, delegates visited the Shonan Robotics Center in Kanagawa Prefecture, where Director Takashi Kasukawa presented the centre's work on robot-assisted rehabilitation for patients recovering from stroke and serious injury. Delegates were able to try several of the rehabilitation devices and discuss their clinical applications.

Day 3 – Matsushita Institute of Government and Management

Delegates spent the third day at the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management in Chigasaki, founded in 1979 by Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic. Mr Toshiyuki Nara, Director of the institute's Co-Creation Center, lectured on Matsushita's management philosophy, including his approaches to affordability, organisational resilience and long-term development, followed by discussion of short-termism, globalisation and the implications of artificial intelligence for management.

The afternoon featured a formal Oxford-style debate on the motion "Japan's traditional craftsmanship model – core competitive strength, or strategic burden, in the age of AI and digitalisation?", with delegates speaking on both sides and the audience voting on the outcome.

Day 4 – Business leaders summit and address by a former Prime Minister of Japan

The final day, held at Waseda University and opened by Programme Director Professor Richard Hobbs, brought together four senior figures from Japanese business:

• Mr Kunio Tajiri, former President of ITOCHU Corporation and of Descente Ltd, and a Director of Oriental Land Company, on globalisation and the internationalisation of Japanese business
• Mr Ryuta Fujii, President of Ryukakusan Co., Ltd., on modernising a family pharmaceutical company founded in the seventeenth century
• Mr Kazuhiro Sakurai, President of Asahi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Dassai), on combining traditional sake brewing with data-driven production methods and international expansion
• Mr Yoichi Ikezoe, former Chairman of ITOCHU (China) Holding and former President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, on Sino-Japanese economic relations

In the afternoon, delegates were received by Mr Yukio Hatoyama, who served as the 93rd Prime Minister of Japan from 2009 to 2010. Mr Hatoyama spoke on Japanese politics, East Asian regional cooperation and his concept of an East Asian Community, and took questions from delegates. He also presented certificates to the delegates who had distinguished themselves in the previous day's debate.

Speakers

The Rt Hon Sir Jeremy Hunt served in senior UK Cabinet positions including Chancellor of the Exchequer, Foreign Secretary and Health Secretary. He was knighted in 2025.

Mr Yukio Hatoyama served as the 93rd Prime Minister of Japan (2009–2010). He was educated at the University of Tokyo and holds a PhD from Stanford University. Since leaving office he has remained active in international dialogue on Asian regional cooperation.

Professor Satoshi Ōmura is Distinguished Emeritus Professor at Kitasato University. His discovery of avermectin laid the foundation for ivermectin, an antiparasitic medicine used worldwide against neglected tropical diseases. He was jointly awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with William C. Campbell.

Professor Mitsuo Umezu is Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University.

Professor Tomoo Marukawa is a professor at the Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo, specialising in the Japanese and Chinese economies.

Mr Toshiyuki Nara is Director of the Co-Creation Center at the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management. A graduate of the institute and of Waseda University, he previously served as a member of the Fukui Prefectural Assembly and as Mayor of Echizen City.

Mr Kunio Tajiri is a former President of ITOCHU Corporation and of Descente Ltd, and a Director of Oriental Land Company, operator of Tokyo Disney Resort.

Mr Ryuta Fujii is President of Ryukakusan Co., Ltd., a Japanese pharmaceutical company founded in the seventeenth century, where he has led the company's modernisation and international expansion.

Mr Kazuhiro Sakurai is President of Asahi Shuzo Co., Ltd., producer of Dassai, one of Japan's most internationally recognised premium sake brands.

Mr Yoichi Ikezoe is Chief Advisor to ITOCHU (China) Holding Co., Ltd., where he previously served as Chairman. He is a former President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China.

Mr Takashi Kasukawa is Director of the Shonan Robotics Center, Kanagawa Prefecture.

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