Made With Japan madewithjapan

On the perfect stranger in the corporate world, overcoming the dualistic view, Zen and Pure Land Buddhism, the good ancestor, transmission and translation, here and now, capitalism and growth, imagination and curiosity, interconnected and not a standalone.
 
Shoukei Matsumoto is a contemporary Buddhist monk.  Just like traditional art and contemporary art, a contemporary Buddhist monk alongside a traditional Buddhist monk should be acceptable.  Typically, images of Buddhist monks are serving ceremonial rituals and supporting functions at their temple, but those activities are only a little part of Shoukei’s daily life.  He spends most of his time creating a frontier for the role of contemporary Buddhist monks in the modern world. 

On corporate governance, third arrow of Abenomics, making a stance on the world, BDTI, productivity and labor market efficiency, incentives for the long term, family identity.
 
Nicholas (“Nick”) Benes was the first person in my sphere of recognition that raised a loud and clear voice regarding the need to improve corporate governance in Japan.  He laid the groundwork that eventually led to the implementation of the corporate governance code in 2014, as a part of the “third arrow” in “Abenomics,” the growth strategy of Prime Minister Abe.  Nick talks fast and acts fast, and I believe his passion and determination are reflections of his professional and personal desire to do good for society.  He describes himself as a “monkey”… What do you think?
 
Nicholas Benes:
Representative Director
The Board Director Training Institute of Japan

On alleviating poverty in the world, global health, value of a company, the role of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ODA allocation, international procurement by Japanese companies, Goalkeepers, impact-weighted accounting.
Mihoko Kashiwakura is one of these impressive individuals who was able to pursue a childhood passion into a career that has positive impact.  That passion was to eradicate poverty from our world.  Working with Mihoko over the last couple of years in the area of global health, I thought I’ve come to know her fairly well.  However, through our conversation for this episode, I found how truly she is committed to her pursuit of making this world a better place where no one is left behind.  Mihoko’s cheery, determined spirit is priceless. 
 
Mihoko Kashiwakura:
Head of East Asia Relations, Global Policy and Advocacy
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

On global health, Africa, helping people in need, Okinawa-Kyushu G8 Summit, global partnerships, reality of healthcare in refugee camps, being prepared, Japan’s role.
Osamu or “Sam” Kunii is one of the most prominent leaders in the world of advancing global health.  Access to healthcare is a basic human need, especially for the disadvantaged, especially in days with COVID.  Sam grew up in Japan, always wanting to be doctor because he wanted to help people in need.  This led him to refugee camps of Africa and other developing countries, and with this field experience, he currently leads a global effort to alleviate pain and suffering all over the world.  He’s a saint, a pioneer, and an innovator.  The kind person we all need.
 
Osamu Kunii:
Head of Strategy, Investment & Impact Division
The Global Fund

On beauty being a common language, cosmetics in emerging countries, Tani on the golf course, culture and the fear of failure, embracing diversity, the “Ei-Ei-Oh” shout, the younger generation Go Global.
 
In the last episode of my conversation with “Tani,” we start off with the concept of beauty.  After all, Shiseido is a beauty products company, and the world is a beautiful place.  Yet, there are global issues that are troublesome, and we touch upon some concerns.  There are cultural differences in different parts of the world, yet culture serves as base for everything that we do.  We both agreed that the younger generation has an important big role to play in our world, and we get a glimpse of what Tani would personally like to be doing in the future.

On unleashing the people, changing the culture, “ichigan” organizational structure, being a global leader with a Japanese heritage, unpleasant business decisions, S-Park, diversity and inclusion.
 
In this Part 2 of my conversation with “Tani,” we went back to the topic of people.  As a long-term investor, I believe the most valuable intangible value of the company for their ongoing sustainable growth is the people.  All companies say that people are their most valuable asset, but people don’t show up as an “asset” on the balance sheet.  It shows up as a “cost” on the P/L.  And, many Japanese corporations don’t really do good job in showing the value of their people, since many of them are still in the “Showa” mode of sectionalism silos, seniority system.  So, let’s see how Tani’s people focus strategy was able to change that culture.
 
Representative Director, President and CEO
Shiseido Company, Limited