Kyushu University Business School

News Letter10th QBS Class Graduation

QAN Correspondence

On Saturday, March 22 nd , the Graduation Ceremony of the 10 th QBS
Class was held in Kyushu University’s International Hall. About a hundred family
members and graduates were present when Kenji Yamamoto, Dean of the Graduate Faculty of Economics, presented their diplomas.

The 7th QBS ForumThe 7th QBS Forum, hosted by the Student
Council and supported by QAN (i.e. QBS Alumni
Network), was held on Sunday, Ma rch 2 n d at
Kyushu University’s Nishijin Plaza. The QBS
Forum founded by the 4 th Graduating Class, serves
to show gratitude to all those suppor ted QBS
students’ study—a compilation of our academic
studies—by making a full report of the Projects
Research Paper and holding a discussion on thosematters.
During this forum, there were ten presentations on a diverse range of topics including business plans, analysis of the manufacturing sector, and the innovation process. The
unique essence of each researcher, formed through the vicissitudes of a year’s
dedicated efforts, was evident in each worth-while presentation. Observers gavesome keen comments which led to a very productive discussion session.
Thanks to the QAN, there was social gathering organized after theforum. With graduates, current students of the 10 th and 11th graduating class, andstudents to be enrolled in the coming April participating, the gathering was awonderful time that demonstrated the “vertical” QBS relations, regardless ofgraduating class.
In conclusion, I would like to sincerely thank all of those who made our
10th Graduating Class possible. Thank you.
Norimasa Adachi (QBS 10th Graduating Class)In this issue of the QAN Correspondence, we would like to introduce acompany operated by a QBS Graduate. Mr. Yoshiharu was of the 9th Graduating
Class.
Mr. Hidaka is the President of Kyuhai-Tech Co., Ltd., which is a local,
Fukuoka company that provides the furnishings to homes.
Q) Why did you choose to attend QBS?
A) As I mentioned during my entrance exam interview, I attended because a company cannot grow and develop past the limitations of its leaders. As the president of a small business, I have always been dedicated to learning, and in order
to better my company, I thought it best to diversify my ways of thinking.
Q) What do you think benefited you during your studies at QBS?
A) That would be “Logical Thinking”. I realized that being a business manager for
many years, I had relied on my intuition, experience, and grit. Adding a logicalthinking process to this widened my abilities.
Q) How has what you learned at QBS helped your company?
A) Because our main business is in construction, “people” are our greatest
resource. Placing an emphasis on various training, we can differentiate
ourselves from our competitors through the education of our human resources. I
learned how to integrate each of these processes into easy-to-understand andlogical systematic diagrams. In turn, I am able to logically explain to my
employees why we are implementing such activities.
Q) Can you share with us your company’s “Vision”?
A) “To become a company that Fukuoka cannot be without!” I sincerely believethat I could not be without my two year experience at QBS. It was an environment surrounded by wonderful instructors and great colleagues. Through thisexperience, I aim to make my company absolutely needed in Fukuoka, which isa gateway to Asia.
QAN Chairperson Seon Hojang (6 th Graduating Class)To all QBS Graduates: Information Regarding Continued Education for Recurrent Auditor
Since last year, auditing courses has become even easier to sign up as it requires
no entrance fee and auditors are able to take classes that they had once taken as a student.
Furthermore there are new courses being added to the upcoming curriculum. The syllabus
is readily available at Kyushu University’s Hakata Station Office.
If you would like to audit classes in 2014, please apply during the registration
period at Kyushu University Kaizuka Regional Administrative Department, Office ofAcademic Affairs, Student Affairs Division 4.

Why not take this opportunity to “Re-Study”
by signing up for recurrent auditor?
For more details, please visit the QBS homepage

Spring Semester Application: March 14th(Fri.)~24th(Mon), 2014
Fall Semester Application: September 19th(Fri)~29th(Mon), 2014

Introducing Current Students
Wang (11th Graduating Class)

Kiyota Kasa (11th Graduating Class)After graduating from university in China, I was finally able tomove to Japan. After spending my first year studying Japanese at a
language school in Fukuoka, I decided to enroll in QBS.
There were people who were against me studying for my MBA
immediately after my undergraduate program. Even though I had never struggled more withany decision in my life, I took the first step and made the decision to enroll to QBS. With
insufficient Japanese and management knowledge, I vigorously self-taught myself before
enrolling in the program. After being accepted into QBS, I was pained by the realization of thelimitations of my knowledge and understanding, regardless of my self-teaching. Although
every day was a struggle as I was challenged by the difficult tasks, I am completely satisfied
now. Being able to talk directly to specialists in their own field, the lecturers invigorated me
every day through providing me with all the knowledge I could ask for and immediately
helping to solve any doubts I had. As a foreign student, the kind office staff, amazingcolleagues and alumni, and trustworthy professors all helped in various ways to make myinternational experience the absolute best.
There is nothing that makes me happier. My current goal is to be able to make asignificant contribution on the global scale. I faced my biggest struggle in life as I was entering QBS but am still someone with big dreams. For everyone who helped me, I would like totake a minute here to say, “Thank You”.

Editing and Publication /Kyushu University Business School
Translation /QBS Support Office
Address /6-19-1, Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8581
TEL/092-642-4278
E-mail / bs@econ.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Employed by▶Miyoshi Real Estate Co., Ltd. / Executive Director

The first year after entering QBS flew by, everything felt fast and at
the same time felt short.
My decision to enroll in QBS was motivated after meeting many
QBS alumni. At the time, I was responsible for setting up our Shanghai offices, was in chargeof a new business segment, and had many new challenges ahead of me. Whenever you aretrying to implement something new, you will be faced with a number of hurdles. I believe that
overcoming these hurdles is dependent on a) your experience and b) your logical thinking
skills. During the first year at QBS, studying finance, marketing, organizational management,
and intellectual property gave me a wide array of knowledge regarding the fundaments oflogical thinking in business management. Furthermore, all the classes at QBS were rich incase studies, which helps to develop experience. I found that I also learned from my classmates. Each student had a different motive to enroll and purpose to study, but the one thing
all students have in common is their powerful ambition.
Time would pass unnoticed, as discussions with classmates lead to new ideas aboutbusiness. I am grateful for all of these connections. Assuming all goes well, I only have a year
left as a student. Polishing my skills during this time, I hope to be able to devote myself tofulfilling my new roles at work.

● For More Information on the Kyushu University Business School Contact:

6-19-1, Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi, 812-8581
Kyushu University Kaizuka Regional Administrative Department,
Office of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs Division 4
TEL▶ 092-642-4167 Website▶ http://qbs.kyushu-u.ac.jp/
facebook.com/QBS.MBA

Kyushu University Business School

ISSN 1882-871X

News Letter Vol.19
九州大学ビジネス・スクール ニューズレター

Editing and Publication▶ Kyushu University Business School
TEL▶ 092-642-4278
E-mail▶ bs@econ.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Administrator▶ QBS Office▶ facebook.com/QBS.MBA

2014.3

Address▶ 812-8581 6-19-1, Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi

Feature on Asia (Round 2)
Final Briefing by QBS Short-term International Exchange Students
My name is Hamasaki of the 11th Graduating Class, and I was the support leader
for this year’s international exchange students. As a fourteen member team, we provided
support to the twelve international students who came from China and Thailand at theend of September 2013. The bulk of our work was to assist the students in moving into
their dormitory, processing paperwork at city municipalities, and planning outdoor
events such as barbeque parties and bus tours in welcoming these students. Taking dailyclasses alongside the international students strengthened our bond. The differences
between our thoughts and cultures fostered among us a new kind of diversity. On February 8 th, we held a Final Briefing in which each international exchange student gave apresentation on what they felt and learned during their experience in Japan—some even presented in Japanese. Considering
most student only knew how to say “Hello” and “Thank You” in Japanese when they first arrived, it was wonderful to see theresults of their dedicated efforts as they presented in Japanese. During the farewell party following the Final Briefing,exchange students, teachers, and the many QBS students enjoyed reflecting on their time spent in the exchange program.
Seeing how heart-wrenching it was for the exchange students to leave, with some even crying, I believe that they fully enjoyed
the time they spent living in Fukuoka. I truly hope that there will be many international exchange students coming to QBS in
the coming year and that the environment here cultivates students to study as diligently as they did this year.
Yuuma Hamasaki (11th Graduating Class)

Nanjing University Business School Visit
A group from Nanjing University Business School visited Fukuoka from February 23rd through March 3rd. During thistrip, they spent about a week at QBS and we provided a variety of programs during this February 24 th~March 3rd visit. Professors
Chunyan Jiang and Ching Li brought 18 MBA students from Nanjing University Business School and students from QBS’ shortterm international exchange student program also participated.
The daily morning sessions were held in room 209 at Kyushu University Faculty of Economics Building. On Monday,
Murafuji spoke on “Japan’s Manufacturing Industry’s Management Environment”. Tuesday’s lecture was given on “The Differencein American, Japanese, and Chinese Management Practices” by Okada, a consultant from NEC. Mr.Shutto, a former QBS Professor who now gives guest lectures at Nanjing University, spoke about “International Marketing in the Japanese Manufacturing
Industry” on Wednesday. Friday’s lecture, by Associate Professor Takata, assigned group work regarding the topic of “New Business Management for JapaneseCorporations”. Mr. Yoshiyama, Head of Financial Affairs at Santen Pharmaceutical, spoke about “M&A and Japanese Corporate Management” on Saturday.
The afternoon program was dedicated to corporate visits, factory and agricultural tours, and interactive sessions. On Monday, the students participated in asocial gathering with young executives from the Kyushu Economic Federation and the Association of Corporate Executives at the Kyosokan Building. During thisprogram, Mr. Yutaka Aso, Chairman of the Kyushu Economic Federation, gave the opening address followed by Itsubun Gen’s keynote speech. After the keynote,students were divided into Manufacturing, Real Estate Financing, and Service Industry groups to discuss these topics. The students took a tour of TOTO’s ceramic
sanitation production factory on Tuesday followed by a tour of the Wakamiya Lexus production plant on Wednesday, where Toyota implements their Just-In-Timepractices. On Thursday the students visited vinyl greenhouses in Kiyama that cultivate asparagus and strawberries. Miyano of QBS’ First Graduating Class assisted in
the tour of TOTO. The tour of Toyota was made possible by QBS’ Short-term Executive Program’s Sugiyama and Harada of the first and second graduating class,respectively. Thursday’s tour of Kiyama received the help of Terasaki and Umeshita of the sixth and tenth graduating class of QBS, respectively. During the afternoon
session on Saturday, March 1st we held a business plan contest that included current QBS students and members of the QBS alumni association, QAN. The fulfilling
week came to an end with a social party with the faculty club on Saturday evening.
Isao Murafuji (Corporate Finance, Corporate Value Creation, and M&A)

Why not train your employees to be Global Human Resources at QBS?
There is currently a great demand for “Global Human Resource Education” throughout Japan. Although “Global Human Resource Education” is aseemingly simple term, it requires a lot of resources and time in order to create a local base of operations and develop a training program for employees to besent abroad.
The two year program at QBS offers a six month exchange program with affiliated business schools throughout Asia. Because the universities abroad
provide dormitories and students are generally not required to pay the cost of tuition, the cost of this program is rather reasonable.
Some businesses send their employees to study at QBS to take advantage of the exchange program with business schools in Asia. Through these
programs, students have the opportunity to lay the groundwork for developing their business abroad, which may serve as a base of operations after graduation.
Feel free to contact our QBS Office at (bs@econ.kyushu-u.ac.jp) to receive more details. Our QBS staff will gladly come to your offices.
Homepage▶ http://qbs.kyushu-u.ac.jp/

facebook.com/QBS.MBA

Kyushu University Business School

News Letter
QNIES Reunion at Dalian and Workshop for Applying from Dalian

QBS Instructor Profile
My name is Jitsuzumi and I teach “Industries and Policy”.
Have you ever experienced “data jams” when using your cellphone? Or have you ever noticed when you use YouTube or
NicoNico Videos that your video stream freezes or the browser suddenly crashes? This can be caused by an overload of users
accessing the network, which causes an overload of traffic. During these data jams, the network does not have the capacity tomeet the demand—in other words, the network does not have the resource capacity to satisfy all users. For content providing
websites who depend on advertisements for revenue, data jams pose a major problem to their websites.
On the other hand, internet providers who connect users to the internet, while controlling their transmission capacity,
are on the advent of business opportunities. Regardless of if the user is connected to the internet via landline or a mobile connection, the internet providers can assume the users (aka viewers) are assets under the assumption that changing providers is prohibitive (in economics, this is referred to as having a high switching cost).
This is to say, that the providers have the viewers, who are the source of revenues for ad services, in their pockets.
Further, the internet providers are in power to control the distribution of their limited capacity to content providers. As a user, itmeans that your internet provider has the ability to control the contents you end up enjoying. In recent years issues surrounding
internet neutrality are heavily discussed in the U.S., Europe, and other countries with advanced network connectivity. How
should the power of internet providers, who have no choice but to take advantage of the opportunities, be controlled? Or, should
there even be policies to control the providers?
Because the World Wide Web is in essence borderless, the issues that are being raised in Europe and North America are sure to have a large impact on theinternet industry in Japan as well. However, even though Japan’s internet connectivity is just as advanced as these other nations, little has been debated about this
topic. Quietly doing research in this field, I am sure that this will eventually become an issue in Japan as well.
Toshiya Jitsuzumi (Industries and Policy)

Fuku-Hoku Exchange Colloquium
It has been two years since having graduated QBS. The adoption for Subsidies for Invigorating Small
Business Enterprises last September encouraged me to start up my new business in providing businessconsulting, human resource development, and seminar planning and management in the dental industry.
During the Fuku-Hoku Exchange Colloquium on November 22 nd, 2013 I was allowed to speak on the mostrecent practices for preventing tooth cavities.
Even though the Fuku-Hoku Exchange Colloquium is a meeting for various firms from Fukuoka andKitakyushu in differing industries, the attendees listened eagerly to my topic because it pertained to their own
health.
At the dinner party following the meeting, the many people asking questions about their teeth gaveme insight to how patients actually feel.
I am dedicated to developing my business in the dental industry, and jumping into gatherings frompeople of various industries allows me the opportunity to see the industry from an entirely different perspective. Rather than operating within the bounds of my own industry, I believe that going outside of these borders
can lead to new discoveries and ideas that would have otherwise not been possible.
Similarly, I am very grateful for having been able to attend and graduate from QBS. Also, I would
like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my thoughts.
Masayo Tanae (8th Graduating Class)

The QNIES (QBS Network for International Exchange Students) was founded to strengthen the bonds withinternational exchange students who returned home after they completed their program at QBS. As such, the “Reunion Meeting” was held in Dalian, China on February 13 th. Responsible for International Relations, Professor
Murafuji and myself (Hiramatsu) were sent to China to explain QNIES’s purpose, the function of the QNIES Mailing List to improve communications, and discussed with participants how to improve our network.
Because the event was held during the Chinese New Year, there was not a large turnout. Mr. Bu Pengyu,
from Dalian, was installed as the Dalian Regional Coordinator and Ms. Li Linlin, who came all the way from
Shenyang, as the Vice-Coordinator,in change of the Shenyang Regional Coordinator. They all actively participatedto give insight on how the network could be stimulated.
On the following day (14th), we held a workshop for students from Dalian who were interested in applying
to become a student at QBS. The participants, who are considering applying after the following fall, all listened
intently as we described QBS.
Taku Hiramatsu (Financial Management / Management Control)

Corporate Tours for QBS Short Term Exchange Students
Especially since the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster, issues surrounding the development of
resources, supply of electricity, and food safety have garnered increasing attention. Because these issues also
concern us exchange students, we took tours of the Kitakyushu Eco-Town, the New Kokura Power Plant, andNippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd.
We learned about how renewing infectious waste, such as decomposing medical equipment, canbecome viable resources, through treating it with high-frequency waves, separating the waste, and producing
solid fuel. We also participated in a Q&A session regarding recycling while observing how the employees
disassembled office appliances by hand. I felt passionate about how the Kitakyushu Eco-Town is developing an
eco-friendly, recycling oriented society.
At the New Kokura Power Plant, we received a tour of where employees worked and learned details
regarding the supply of electricity since the Tohoku Disaster. I gained a better understanding of the effects ofthe earthquake and the importance of saving electricity. Afterwards, we received a tour of Nippon Suisan
Kaisha, Ltd. where they described the development of the Japanese fishing industry and the products they had
developed at Nippon Suisan. I received a strong impression that Nissui was especially particular in regards tothe safety and taste of their food.
I believe that it is up to companies such as the ones we visited to develop business models that areconsiderate of society, especially in consideration of how valuable developing resources, supplying electricity,and providing safe food has become in light of the Tohoku Disaster. It is our responsibility to figure out how
developing new businesses will solve social issues and contribute to society.
Tang Ruixia (10th Graduating Class)

Alumni Profile
QBS BOOK Review

Read This!

The 1st Step of Marketing Analysis
Editors: Naoto Onzo & Kenji Tomita Publisher: Sekigakusha
Distributor: Chuokeizai-sha, Inc.

The world of marketing is changing dynamically every day. Because of this, the field of marketing research has been heavily
altered since 2000. Prior to the year 2000, specialists would have to input the results of their research into complex computer
programs and the results would have significant implications. Nowadays, however, statistical software is as easy to use as Excel.
Beginner marketing students can use these tools to master a certain level of marketing research by the time they graduate.
This entry to marketing research book is befitting for its time. The first half of the book details the importance of marketing
research, introduces sampling methodology, and basic statistical jargon such as “average”, “variance”, and “standard deviation”, etc.
Marketing methodologies are described half-way through the book. Correlation analysis, verification, analysis of variance, andregression analysis are described in detail. The latter portion introduces higher level analysis methodology such as conjoint analysis,
and covariance structure analysis.
I will speak about marketing research in my Projects Report seminar at QBS. However, those of you who are asked to do marketing research or
consumer surveys at work, should definitely read this book in order to avoid constructing an incorrect research design or even drawing mistaken conclusions.
Hitoshi Iwashita (Marketing Strategy / International Marketing)

Kumiko Hatano (7th Graduating Class)Shinichi Fukushima (9th Graduating Class)

Employed by Japan Finance Corporation

Employed by▶Nihon-Kotsusangyo Group Co., Ltd. /Representative Director▶

Not only did I gain a general knowledge of practical and systematic management while at QBS, but there were plenty of tasks that made me say “Really?!” andthink especially hard. I also gained an international perspective through my short-term
exchange at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. My colleagues, regardless of their background, alumni who are
active, and passionate lecturers all made my experience amazing.
Often referred to as the gateway to Asia, I enrolled at QBS with the objective of solving the questionof how to establish Fukuoka as an invigorated, commercial hub. Because QBS allows for trial and error, I
repeatedly tried to verify my hypothesis. This experience of trying to fully capture a phenomena on a
grandeur scale has helped me at my job and in other various situations.
I have been lucky enough to be able to participate in alumni-organized seminars and the Hoshino
Seminar Research Club. The only reason that I have not become lost when standing at a fork in the roadcaused by an ever-changing environment is because my colleagues and professors continued to push me in
the right direction. My studies at QBS have definitely become an anchor I can rely on.
I will not quit studying, nor will I stop thinking. I will dedicate every day to promoting the revitalization of our region.

As an upper level manager, I chose to enroll at QBS in order topolish my business sensibility, improve my management skills, andlearn about entrepreneurship. During the first half of my first year, I
decided I would not include the Projects Seminar in my curriculum, and instead built mycurriculum around sixty QREC credits. Taking a wider range of courses than expected when I
enrolled, expanding my perspectives has been very valuable.
Even after graduating, I hope to be able to find a way to work with my professors,colleagues, and QBS affiliates. Last year in November, I was invited by associate professor
Igarashi to be a mentor at “Startup Weekend Fukuoka”, an event on the global scale forentrepreneurship. I am grateful for this wonderful experience that allowed me to come incontact with many young, passionate entrepreneurs with many valuable ideas.
The theories and thought processes I learned while at QBS are constantly applied to
improve the management of my firm. Our employees have become more conscientious andmanagement indicators have steadily improved. The next objective is to create new value anda new business. To do so, I believe that we must be aware of our society’s environment andissues it faces and, rather than being trapped by established practices, be open to different
perspectives.