A Business School For the 22nd Century – With A Focus On Human Sustainability

Shizenkan University Graduate School of Leadership & Innovation is a unique “whole-person” comprehensive and holistic management and leadership educational institution, that seeks to develop innovative management and thought leaders who are highly attuned to the current issues impacting society and humanity. Our aim is to realize a paradigm shift in global leadership education, starting from Asia and specifically Japan. Our starting point is the educational model of a traditional western business school, which symbolizes the 20th century, from where we move on to address the numerous social and environmental demands surrounding us in the 21st century while also seeking to anticipate the needs of the upcoming 22nd century.

Courses run continuously over two years starting on August 20th. Each academic year consists of 2 terms: An autumn term (August to January) and a spring term (from January to August). Classes are generally held twice a week, on one weeknight and during an entire day on Saturday or Sunday. This allows students to work full-time while they are participating in the program.

Up to 80 students will be accepted per academic year from the poll promising applicants worldwide. The cohort will be divided approximately in two halves, with about 40 students taking classes in Japanese and the other in English, to further help create a diverse multicultural environment. It is possible to graduate either in Japanese or English, not both.

INNOVATION × HUMANITY

Technological innovation and the progress of scientific discoveries have served as a wake-up call for humanity as to our rapidly changing society and the sustainability challenges of our planet. Considering the social and economic challenges we will face in the 22nd century, it is clear that the education paradigm for the development of business leaders will need to change and is at a major turning point. The core idea of a Shizenkan education is nurturing the intellectual capability of entrepreneurs required for the 22nd century, and thus aims to contribute to the sustainable development of humanity through innovation while simultaneously confronting a rapidly changing environment.

EAST × WEST

In Asia, the philosophies of living symbiotically with the social environment and the rule of virtue are deeply rooted. At Shizenkan, we integrate the model of American Business School education, which is based on western rationalism, with that of Eastern philosophy and culture, pursuing the perfect formula for the development of managers and leaders required for the future.

GLOBAL × LOCAL

Shizenkan is a GLOCAL educational institution, being a global graduate school and an active member of the local community – supporting our global community and our home in Nihonbashi, Tokyo simultaneously.

In close collaboration with our partner schools around the globe, such as the SOIL (School of Inspired Leadership) Business School in New Delhi, India; IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain; and FGV - in São Paulo, Brazil, we aim to provide a new educational paradigm and to provide the space for personal and educational growth. As well as developing our core program to anticipate the demands of the future.

Shizenkan Difference

1. We Create the Opportunity for Entrepreneurs and Young Managers to Develop Proficiency in Three Key Areas

As a foundation of the program, we explore quantitative analysis, as well as logical and strategic thinking, essential skills for management professionals. Next we develop the “ability to envision”; based on our observations of what the world needs and potentially wants, and the reflection on what business and society should be. Thirdly, we focus on thinking “outside of the box”, which allows us to conceive a future scheme beyond the past or present and helps us deal with the ever expanding and disruptive innovations in science and technology facing us today.

2. We Aim to Develop the Outlook and Perspective of the Manager and Entrepreneur

The courses in accounting, finance, marketing and strategy provide insights into corporate management for leaders and entrepreneurs. At the same time, at Shizenkan, we constantly strive to see the world through the eyes of a manager-entrepreneur. We place business policy and entrepreneurship at the very core of our curriculum. Thus, our objective is not to produce experts in finance and accounting but well-rounded managers, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

3. We Ascribe to a Liberal Arts Education to Build Leaders Who Have a Clear Set of Values and Who Understand What Might Be Coming Next

Specialized knowledge and skills are essential for management success, yet they are only tools to help achieve one’s goals, and not the answer to fundamental questions such as “for whom”, “for what”, and “why”. Our curriculum includes history, religion, philosophy, sociology, science and art. We believe the liberal arts are necessary to develop comprehensive thinking, understand history broadly and explore the essence of human existence. This helps leaders make decisions using their own set of values. Equally important, the liberal arts allows professionals to understand the reality of our changing world, to have better insight into what’s driving history, the divergence/convergence of the world, and thus make observations of the future.

4. We Try to Cultivate Leadership by Facing Society and Others and Reflecting Upon Ourselves.

We think that the first and foremost element of leadership is contemplation of the meaning and goals of life - through self-reflection. This is normally defined as recognition of one’s inner voice and values. For management professionals, who often wield influence over society, self-reflection should also include examining our relationship with society and other people; to question the meaning of our lives and goals within the context of society.

5. We Want to Connect People and Institutions Who Share Similar Values

Shizenkan operates in partnership with the School of Inspired Leadership, in New Delhi, India; the IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain; and with one of the most acclaimed think tanks worldwide, FGV in São Paulo, Brazil. With these partners, our institution conducts joint workshops and research projects relating to global business management, sustainability and the future of leadership education. Shizenkan also collaborates with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Japan and plans to create an interactive network with the Chinese business community in Asia. Academics and business leaders in Singapore, South Korea, Belgium, Switzerland, Israel, the United States, Canada and Brazil have joined our network and deliver lectures to our students.

6. We Strive to Deliver a Cutting-edge Education in Leadership and Management, Grounded in Asian and Japanese Values

In Asia, the philosophies of living symbiotically with nature and the rule of virtue are deeply rooted. At Shizenkan, we start with the American business school model of education, which is based on western rationalism, yet we also incorporate Eastern philosophies—Zen and meditation are part of our curriculum. We seek to become a bridge between the East and West, and a model of management leadership that is best adapted for the future.

Faculty/school group

Master's Degree (Professional)

• Graduate School of Leadership and Innovation | MBA Program in Design & Leadership for Societal Innovation