NEWSLETTER

Report on 2nd TCS×BESETO CAMPUS Asia
Alumni Workshop
Koshiro Nagai (Graduate of 2015 CAMPUS Asia Course)

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYOThe 2nd TCS×BESETO CAMPUS Asia Alumni Workshop took
place on December 14, 2019 at the Trilateral Cooperation
Secretariat (TCS) in Seoul. The workshop was attended byabout 50 people, including both graduates and current studentsof the University of Tokyo, Peking University, and Seoul
National University. The day started with opening remarks from
Kenji Nagafuchi, TCS Director of Socio-Cultural Affairs, and thiswas followed by sessions on a wide range of topics that
included debate about the alumni association’s charter, an
exchange of ideas on how to improve its programs, and a
discussion on careers involving both graduates and current

TOPICS

students. Participants then enjoyed a networking session where
they were able to renew old acquaintances and make new ones.
The venue included an instant photography booth and acommemorative photograph of attendees was taken against the
backdrop of the booth on which the workshop’s concept of “We
are not too different” was written in four different languages(Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean). The photograph wasposted on social media. As there was a Singaporean graduate
who participated from Singapore, the workshop carried with it
an expectation of extending the network globally, beyond justJapan, China, and South Korea.
Having only recently started its formal activities, the alumni
association of the BESETO CAMPUS Asia Consortium has yet
to properly fulfill its function. Nevertheless, as many people arelooking to the association to provide leadership to other partsof the CAMPUS Asia Consortium, the hope is for it to become
more active going forward. Following on from this workshop,
the intention is to initiate further exchanges between graduatesand current students and also with other CAMPUS Asia
Consortium graduates during 2020. Finally, I would like to takethis opportunity to thank Ms. Hyemin Kim of TCS and Ms.
Nobue Nachi of GraSPP who put a lot of effort into making thisworkshop possible.

The GraSPP spring diploma presentation ceremony will take place on Monday,
March 23 at SMBC Academia Hall in the International Academic Research
Building.

Web : http://www.pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/

Mar. 11, 2020東京大学公共政策大学院

ts
en1: GraSPP Alumni & Student Day 2019 Report
t
n

o

C

57

vol.

2: Report on Symposium by Externally Funded Research Project on “Economic Growth and Risk Management”
3: Student Interview
4: Report on 2nd TCS×BESETO CAMPUS Asia Alumni Workshop & TOPICSGraSPP Alumni & Student Day 2019 ReportO n 19 O c t o b e r 2 019 , “ G r a S P P A l u m n i &Student day 2019” was held at the International
Academic Research Building with participationof approximately 90 alumni, current students andfaculty members.
The event started at 16:30 with opening remarks by
Dean Akio Takahara. Mr. Rajgopal Sandeep (MPP/
IP, 2015 class, United Nations University) acted as
MC. As Part 1, “Career Session”, a panel session was
conducted by three graduates, Mr. Hiroki Yoshida(Economic Policy Program, 2008 class, Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry), Ms. Yue Feng (MPP/
IP, 2017 class, Citigroup Global Markets Japan Inc.)and Mr. Arthur EL Medioni Jacob (Vice Presidentof GraSPP Alumni Association, MPP/IP, 2017 class,
PwC Advisory LLC).
Then, the Session moved to Part 2, “Speed Dating” where current students visited tables of alumni working in 11
areas (government, finance, think-tank, IT, trading, manufacturing, media, academia, international organization andpolitics) and moved to another table every 5-10 minutes. This provided students with excellent opportunities to listen tostories by graduates actively working in the fields which they are interested in.
After the Career Session, Mr. Kunro Hino (President of GraSPP Alumni Association, Economic Policy Program, 2013class, Japan International Cooperation Agency) and Mr. Arthur EL Medioni Jacob demonstrated the “Alumni Portal”
which started 2 years ago as a space where alumni, current students, faculty members could freely communicate andencouraged participants to register. Those interested can register here.

*GraSPP Alumni Association Portal*
Editor’ s Postscript
Having recently passed the second anniversary of my becoming editor of
the GraSPP newsletter, looking back over past editions made me realize
what an unexpectedly good time it has been. It was an opportunity toremind myself of the newsletter’ s role in recording how faculty andstudents have diligently addressed challenges for society in Japan andoverseas. It is very much a case of, “Don’ t forget that you too were abeginner once.” I wish you all the best at GraSPP in this the second yearof the Reiwa Era. (Editor)

4NEWS
57 LETTER

vol.

(Editor & Publisher) Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo(Date of Publication) March 11, 2020

7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan
E-mail grasppnl@pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp
http://www.pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp/

https://www.grasppalumni.com/
Fi na l ly, t he recept ion was a g reat success w it hparticipation of many alumni, current students andfaculty members including the former Dean Prof. Akira
Morita.
Next GASD (GraSPP Alumni & Student Day) will
be held on Saturday, 17 October, 2020. We are looking
forward to your participation!

1

Student 33
InterviewNo.

New Initiatives in discontinuous
Innovation and Corporate Governance Reform
Kumiko Tonoki (Project Academic Support Specialist)

A symposium on “New Initiatives in Discontinuous Innovation
and Corporate Governance Reform” was held at the Fukutake
Learning Theater on November 1st, 2019. The symposium wasorganized by the corporate governance study group within theexternally funded research project on “Economic Growth andRisk Management”. It was attended by an audience of morethan 200 people, made up of company executives and managers,
investors, auditors, and corporate law academics.
The event commenced with a welcoming address from Ryozo
Hayashi, Director of the Musashino Institute for Global Affairs(MIGA) at Musashino University and a Visiting Professor at
GraSPP. This was followed by a keynote presentation entitled “A
New Form of Company to Suit the Era of Society 5.0” given by
Kazuhiko Toyama, Managing Partner at Industrial Growth
Platform, Inc. (IGPI). Looking back at the 30 years of the HeiseiEra, major companies, not only in Japan but internationally, were
not always able to respond effectively to a growing wave of
disruptive innovation in the form of ongoing globalization and thedigital revolution. Mr. Toyama warned companies that, while thetraditional bottom-up approach to corporate decision-making
may have been adequate for this past period of enhanced
innovation, unless they adopt a top-down decision-making
approach, they may risk losing everything by failing to react in an
appropriate and timely manner in an environment of disruptivechange that demands rapid decisions about important
mat ter s such as exiting particular businesses or t hereassignment of functions. To this end, he highlighted two
important considerations: how companies go about
decision-making and how they choose which people
will make these decisions. He also noted that thedifference between companies that survive and those that

do not lies in the nature of their leadership, with a crucial
factor being how to go about identifying capable leaders.
Follow ing this line of think ing, he emphasized thatchanging practices at traditional Japanese companies will
also reshape the form that those companies take.
His advice was that companies should aim to keep theirsuper visor y architecture under control and that theimportance of fulltime auditors needs to be recognized inorder to achieve a strong corporate organization.
In response to a question from the audience about how tofind leaders who can overcome discontinuous innovation andhow best to deploy such leaders, Mr. Toyama drew on his
experience to lay out plans for the future, noting that the truereckoning was still to come.
The second half of the symposium involved a panel
discussion on “Corporate Governance Reforms: Future
Challenges and Directions” with Sumitaka Fujita, Chairmanof the Japan Association for CFOs, as moderator andpanelists from a wide range of fields. Initial discussions
encompassed an overall assessment of the cor porate
governance reforms that commenced in 2014 and the broad
issues raised. This was followed by a lively debate on four
separate topics: 1) Reform progress and challenges forcorporate management, 2) How to foster strong managers
and the role of the board and nominations committee, 3)
Issues associated with engagement by institutional investors
and the new trend of activism, and 4) Strengthening group
gover na nce. T he s y mposiu m ended w it h a sha red
appreciation of, among other things, the importance for theboards of directors on engaging in the ongoing development,
assessment, and appointment of a strong and talented
management team, including senior management; on theeffective use of supervision and checks, including response tocompliance challenges and risk management; and on
encouraging mobility among managers. The symposium also
provided a wealth of guidance for those involved in company
management and corporate law that will be of benefit as theyseek to further deepen corporate governance reforms in the
future.
For more information, please visit the project web site.
http://www.pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp/EGRM/events/index_check.
html#report

She participated in GraSPP’s SDG Fieldwork in Europe, held last 12-24
January 2020.

― Tell us about how you came to study at GraSPP.
After graduating from a university in the Philippines, I spent one
year working at a private power generation company and two
years at the National Economic and Development Authority(NEDA) before coming to Japan in August 2018. What first sparked
my interest in pursuing higher studies was one of my professors
during my undergraduate degree who had studied in Japan. He
shared how his experience studying in Japan has changed his
perspective and contributed to his personal growth anddevelopment. Actually, I had wanted to come to Japan straightafter graduating, but unfortunately, that didn’t work out. So, I
decided to build upon my experience first and worked in thegovernment. I have attended the 2017 information session
conducted by Nishizawa-Sensei in Manila, and I instantly became
interested in the program as it offers an opportunity to learn law,politics, and economics at the same time. This multidisciplinary
approach in formulating public policies and addressing different
challenges is much needed in today’s world. Fortunately, one ofthe people I worked with was a GraSPP alumnus and has provided
me good feedback and guidance.
―How are you finding GraSPP and living in Japan?
My main interests are energy policies as well as policy processes
and developments in Japan, and I am happy that GraSPP offers
various English courses in those areas. With classmates comingfrom different countries and multiple backgrounds, GraSPP has
provided an exceptional learning environment that helped me
expand my current knowledge and widened my perspective on
several issues. In terms of living in Japan, I love Japanese foodand really enjoy my current life here. The people are very kind,courteous, friendly, and very helpful. Even those who cannot speakin English go the extra mile to help me by using translation
software to communicate. This makes it a very good country foroverseas students coming to study. I also like how Japan has four
seasons, as opposed to the Philippines, where it is always hot. Fallis my favorite, as everything seems so vibrant and lively. So far, I
have taken a trip to Hokkaido, Tochigi, Karuizawa, among others,
and had wonderful experiences in each area. I also hope to visit
the Kansai and Chugoku Regions before I graduate.
― So you have been keeping busy, both at GraSPP and
farther afield?
Having students from so many different countries and regions at2

Vanessa CANDIDO（MPP/IP 2Year）

GraSPP gives you a deep appreciation for diversity and makes it agreat environment for expanding your horizons. I have joined thestudent union at GraSPP and have been an active participant in
the hope of engaging with the other Japanese and overseas
students. Outside GraSPP, I am the Vice-President for Student
Welfare of the Association of Filipino Students in Japan (AFSJ),
which is made up mostly of Filipino students studying at various
universities around Tokyo. As part of AFSJ, I am active insupporting students who are struggling with an unfamiliar overseas
lifestyle by organizing events and activities that gather Filipino
students such as Welcome and Christmas Parties, Mental HealthSeminar, Sports Festival among others. I am also an active
member of the ASEAN Youth Network in Japan.
― What path do you intend to follow after you graduate fromGraSPP?
I intend to return to the Philippines after graduation to work for four
years at NEDA. However, I also have a desire to teach and tosupport students and learn along with them. So, I would like to returnto the academic world at some point. Beyond that, although it willtake a long time, I would like to get a doctorate as well. I am currently
acting as a TA for three classes at GraSPP, and I see this as a goodpractice for teaching in the future. Coming to Japan has changed mylife enormously. It would have been hard to gain experience like thishad I stayed in the Philippines, and that is why I want to expand my
network while I am here in Japan. And, since I get so muchenjoyment and happiness from working with and for other people, I
want to pay it forward by supporting other overseas students andinspire individuals to go beyond their comfort zones andcontinuously challenge their selves. (Interview and text by the editor)

She is the Vice-President for Student Welfare of AFSJ. This photo wastaken during the AFSJ’s 2019 Christmas Party.

3

Student 33
InterviewNo.

New Initiatives in discontinuous
Innovation and Corporate Governance Reform
Kumiko Tonoki (Project Academic Support Specialist)

A symposium on “New Initiatives in Discontinuous Innovation
and Corporate Governance Reform” was held at the Fukutake
Learning Theater on November 1st, 2019. The symposium wasorganized by the corporate governance study group within theexternally funded research project on “Economic Growth andRisk Management”. It was attended by an audience of morethan 200 people, made up of company executives and managers,
investors, auditors, and corporate law academics.
The event commenced with a welcoming address from Ryozo
Hayashi, Director of the Musashino Institute for Global Affairs(MIGA) at Musashino University and a Visiting Professor at
GraSPP. This was followed by a keynote presentation entitled “A
New Form of Company to Suit the Era of Society 5.0” given by
Kazuhiko Toyama, Managing Partner at Industrial Growth
Platform, Inc. (IGPI). Looking back at the 30 years of the HeiseiEra, major companies, not only in Japan but internationally, were
not always able to respond effectively to a growing wave of
disruptive innovation in the form of ongoing globalization and thedigital revolution. Mr. Toyama warned companies that, while thetraditional bottom-up approach to corporate decision-making
may have been adequate for this past period of enhanced
innovation, unless they adopt a top-down decision-making
approach, they may risk losing everything by failing to react in an
appropriate and timely manner in an environment of disruptivechange that demands rapid decisions about important
m at t er s such as exiting particular businesses or t hereassig nment of funct ions. For t h is to t h is end, hehighlighted two important considerations: how companies
go about decision-making and how they choose whichpeople will make these decisions. He also noted that thedifference between companies that survive and those that

do not lies in the nature of their leadership, with a crucial
factor being how to go about identifying capable leaders.
Follow ing this line of think ing, he emphasized thatchanging practices at traditional Japanese companies will
also reshape the form that those companies take.
His advice was that companies should aim to keep theirsuper visor y architecture under control and that theimportance of fulltime auditors needs to be recognized inorder to achieve a strong corporate organization.
In response to a question from the audience about how tofind leaders who can overcome discontinuous innovation andhow best to deploy such leaders, Mr. Toyama drew on his
experience to lay out plans for the future, noting that the truereckoning was still to come.
The second half of the symposium involved a panel
discussion on “Corporate Governance Reforms: Future
Challenges and Directions” with Sumitaka Fujita, Chairmanof the Japan Association for CFOs, as moderator andpanelists from a wide range of fields. Initial discussions
encompassed an overall assessment of the cor porate
governance reforms that commenced in 2014 and the broad
issues raised. This was followed by a lively debate on four
separate topics: 1) Reform progress and challenges forcorporate management, 2) How to foster strong managers
and the role of the board and nominations committee, 3)
Issues associated with engagement by institutional investors
and the new trend of activism, and 4) Strengthening group
gover na nce. T he s y mposiu m ended w it h a sha red
appreciation of, among other things, the importance for theboards of directors on engaging in the ongoing development,
assessment, and appointment of a strong and talented
management team, including senior management; on theeffective use of supervision and checks, including response tocompliance challenges and risk management; and on
encouraging mobility among managers. The symposium also
provided a wealth of guidance for those involved in company
management and corporate law that will be of benefit as theyseek to further deepen corporate governance reforms in the
future.
For more information, please visit the project web site.
http://www.pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp/EGRM/events/index_check.
html#report

She participated in GraSPP’s SDG Fieldwork in Europe, held last 12-24
January 2020.

― Tell us about how you came to study at GraSPP.
After graduating from a university in the Philippines, I spent one
year working at a private power generation company and two
years at the National Economic and Development Authority(NEDA) before coming to Japan in August 2018. What first sparked
my interest in pursuing higher studies was one of my professors
during my undergraduate degree who had studied in Japan. He
shared how his experience studying in Japan has changed his
perspective and contributed to his personal growth anddevelopment. Actually, I had wanted to come to Japan straightafter graduating, but unfortunately, that didn’t work out. So, I
decided to build upon my experience first and worked in thegovernment. I have attended the 2017 information session
conducted by Nishizawa-Sensei in Manila, and I instantly became
interested in the program as it offers an opportunity to learn law,politics, and economics at the same time. This multidisciplinary
approach in formulating public policies and addressing different
challenges is much needed in today’s world. Fortunately, one ofthe people I worked with was a GraSPP alumnus and has provided
me good feedback and guidance.
―How are you finding GraSPP and living in Japan?
My main interests are energy policies as well as policy processes
and developments in Japan, and I am happy that GraSPP offers
various English courses in those areas. With classmates comingfrom different countries and multiple backgrounds, GraSPP has
provided an exceptional learning environment that helped me
expand my current knowledge and widened my perspective on
several issues. In terms of living in Japan, I love Japanese foodand really enjoy my current life here. The people are very kind,courteous, friendly, and very helpful. Even those who cannot speakin English go the extra mile to help me by using translation
software to communicate. This makes it a very good country foroverseas students coming to study. I also like how Japan has four
seasons, as opposed to the Philippines, where it is always hot. Fallis my favorite, as everything seems so vibrant and lively. So far, I
have taken a trip to Hokkaido, Tochigi, Karuizawa, among others,
and had wonderful experiences in each area. I also hope to visit
the Kansai and Chugoku Regions before I graduate.
― So you have been keeping busy, both at GraSPP and
farther afield?
Having students from so many different countries and regions at2

Vanessa CANDIDO（MPP/IP 2Year）

GraSPP gives you a deep appreciation for diversity and makes it agreat environment for expanding your horizons. I have joined thestudent union at GraSPP and have been an active participant in
the hope of engaging with the other Japanese and overseas
students. Outside GraSPP, I am the Vice-President for Student
Welfare of the Association of Filipino Students in Japan (AFSJ),
which is made up mostly of Filipino students studying at various
universities around Tokyo. As part of AFSJ, I am active insupporting students who are struggling with an unfamiliar overseas
lifestyle by organizing events and activities that gather Filipino
students such as Welcome and Christmas Parties, Mental HealthSeminar, Sports Festival among others. I am also an active
member of the ASEAN Youth Network in Japan.
― What path do you intend to follow after you graduate fromGraSPP?
I intend to return to the Philippines after graduation to work for four
years at NEDA. However, I also have a desire to teach and tosupport students and learn along with them. So, I would like to returnto the academic world at some point. Beyond that, although it willtake a long time, I would like to get a doctorate as well. I am currently
acting as a TA for three classes at GraSPP, and I see this as a goodpractice for teaching in the future. Coming to Japan has changed mylife enormously. It would have been hard to gain experience like thishad I stayed in the Philippines, and that is why I want to expand my
network while I am here in Japan. And, since I get so muchenjoyment and happiness from working with and for other people, I
want to pay it forward by supporting other overseas students andinspire individuals to go beyond their comfort zones andcontinuously challenge their selves. (Interview and text by the editor)

She is the Vice-President for Student Welfare of AFSJ. This photo wastaken during the AFSJ’s 2019 Christmas Party.

3

NEWS
LETTER

Report on 2nd TCS×BESETO CAMPUS Asia
Alumni Workshop
Koshiro Nagai (Graduate of 2015 CAMPUS Asia Course)

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYOThe 2nd TCS×BESETO CAMPUS Asia Alumni Workshop took
place on December 14, 2019 at the Trilateral Cooperation
Secretariat (TCS) in Seoul. The workshop was attended byabout 50 people, including both graduates and current studentsof the University of Tokyo, Peking University, and Seoul
National University. The day started with opening remarks from
Kenji Nagafuchi, TCS Director of Socio-Cultural Affairs, and thiswas followed by sessions on a wide range of topics that
included debate about the alumni association’s charter, an
exchange of ideas on how to improve its programs, and a
discussion on careers involving both graduates and current

TOPICS

students. Participants then enjoyed a networking session where
they were able to renew old acquaintances and make new ones.
The venue included an instant photography booth and acommemorative photograph of attendees was taken against the
backdrop of the booth on which the workshop’s concept of “We
are not too different” was written in four different languages(Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean). The photograph wasposted on social media. As there was a Singaporean graduate
who participated from Singapore, the workshop carried with it
an expectation of extending the network globally, beyond justJapan, China, and South Korea.
Having only recently started its formal activities, the alumni
association of the BESETO CAMPUS Asia Consortium has yet
to properly fulfill its function. Nevertheless, as many people arelooking to the association to provide leadership to other partsof the CAMPUS Asia Consortium, the hope is for it toactively move forward. Following on from this workshop, theintention is to initiate further exchanges between graduates andcurrent students and also with other CAMPUS Asia
Consortium graduates during 2020. Finally, I would like to takethis opportunity to thank Ms. Hyemin Kim of TCS and Ms.
Nobue Nachi of GraSPP who put a lot of effort into making thisworkshop possible.

The GraSPP spring diploma presentation ceremony will take place on Monday,
from 11:30 on March 23 at SMBC Academia Hall in the International
Academic Research Building.

Web : http://www.pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/

Mar. 11, 2020東京大学公共政策大学院

ts
en1: GraSPP Alumni & Student Day 2019 Report
t
n

o

C

57

vol.

2: Report on Symposium by Externally Funded Research Project on “Economic Growth and Risk Management”
3: Student Interview
4: Report on 2nd TCS×BESETO CAMPUS Asia Alumni Workshop & TOPICSGraSPP Alumni & Student Day 2019 ReportO n 19 O c t o b e r 2 019 , “ G r a S P P A l u m n i &Student day 2019” was held at the International
Academic Research Building with participationof approximately 90 alumni, current students andfaculty members.
The event started at 16h30 with opening remarks by
Dean Akio Takahara under the MC by Mr. Rajgopal
Sandeep ( M PP/I P, 2015 class, United Nat ions
University). As Part 1 of the “Career Session”, a panelsession was conducted with three graduates, Mr.
Hiroki Yoshida (Economic Policy Program, 2008 class,
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) , Ms Yue
Feng (MPP/IP, 2017 class, Citigroup Global Markets
Japan Inc.) and Arthur EL Medioni (Vice Presidentof GraSPP Alumni Association, MPP/IP, 2017 class,
PwC Advisory LLC).
Then, the Session moved to Part 2, “Speed Dating” where current students visit a table of alumni working in the 11
areas (government, finance, think-tank, IT, trading, manufacturing, media, academia, international organization andpolitics) and move to another table every 5-10 minutes. This provided students excellent opportunities to listen to stories by
graduates actively working in the fields which they are interested in.
After the Career Session, Mr. Kunro Hino (President of GraSPP Alumni Association, Economic Policy Program, 2013class, Japan International Cooperation Agency) and Mr. Arthur EL Medioni demonstrated the “Alumni Portal” whichstarted 2 years ago as a space where alumni, current students, faculty members could freely communicate and encouraged
participants to register. Those interested could register here

*GraSPP Alumni Association Portal*
Editor’ s Postscript
Having recently passed the second anniversary of my becoming editor of
the GraSPP newsletter, looking back over past editions made me realize
what an unexpectedly good time it has been. It was an opportunity toremind myself of the newsletter’ s role in recording how faculty andstudents have diligently addressed challenges for society in Japan andoverseas. It is very much a case of, “Don’ t forget that you too were abeginner once.” I wish you all the best at GraSPP in this the second yearof the Reiwa Era. (Editor)

4NEWS
57 LETTER

vol.

(Editor & Publisher) Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo(Date of Publication) March 11, 2020

7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033 Japan
E-mail grasppnl@pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp
http://www.pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp/

https://www.grasppalumni.com/
Fi na l ly, t he recept ion was a g reat success w it hparticipation of many alumni, current students andfaculty members including the former Dean Prof. Akira
Morita.
Next GASD (GraSPP Alumni & Student Day) swill
be held on Saturday, 17 October, 2020. We are looking
forward to your participation!

1