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

On the perception of beauty, how an outsider became CEO, not recreating the company but unleashing the people, uplifting with waku-waku, and fundamentals of corporate governance.

Known as “Tani” to his friends abroad, Masahiko Uotani is my hero.  Shiseido was one of our initial investments in January 2009, when I launched with my partners the Commons 30 Fund, a “cross generational” long term investment fund in Japanese companies.  We had made the investment based on the thesis that Shiseido’s sense of beauty would have appeal and thus growth potential in Asia.  However, the first several years were a very slow painful decline.  That is when Tani appeared out of the blue and saved the day.  Because of the spectacular turnaround of a traditional Japanese company, Tani is one of the most recognized CEOs in Japan, and the world.

Representative Director, President and CEO

Shiseido Company, Limited

On living in Hawaii, New York and Washington DC, the best decision of her life (and, it wasn’t about the pay), never wasting a good crisis, first impressions joining a Japanese company, corporate governance, breaking down the “top-down” culture, and embracing the career journey.

Jin is a communicator.  And, a great one, at that.  An aspiring novelist growing up in Hawaii and studying in New York, fate (and her father) would alter her career journey to public policy work in Washington DC.  Then another twist of fate (moving to Singapore with her husband) catapults her into the corporate world.  Honing her skills in corporate communication at several well recognized brand companies, she is currently one of the most unique board of director at a Japanese corporation that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  What are the secrets of transforming a quintessential domestic Japanese company into a diversified global corporation with growth potential?  It is about unleashing and empowering the people, through none other than instilling a communication culture.

Director, Executive Officer, Executive Vice President, Human Resources and General Affairs, Public Affairs, Investor Relations, External Affairs, and Corporate Responsibility, and Chief People Officer

LIXIL Corporation

On Brown University, “anthropological explorations”, conscience gap formed by 3.11, the “aha moment,” Komaza- Airbnb for forestry, asking the questions, solving the problems.

In the previous episodes, all of my guests have referred to the “younger generation.”  So, it is only fair to give that generation a say.  My guest, Tomo Kumahira is a bona fide millennial, turning 30 this year.  However, he is not a typical Japanese millennial.  He is an executive at a forestry company based in Kenya, and has been selected as one of the elite social entrepreneurs in East Africa.  Let see where he comes from, and what makes Tomo tick.

Vice President, Corporate Finance & Strategy, Komaza

Acumen Fellow East Africa

On riding the “waves” of opportunities, eloquent wine sommelier on stage, trying to bring MI series to Japan with Tom Cruise, hydrogen fuel cells, storytelling needed for Japan, One Young World

There are some people that leaves an impression from the very first meeting.  This was Daren.  There are some people that sound a bit crazy, but you definitely like what you hear.  This was Daren.  And, then there are some gifted storytellers.  This is also Daren.  My guest on this episode, Daren Afshar was born in Corpus Christi, Texas but his father moved the family to Europe, and then back to the U.S. where most of his upbringing was in California and Arizona.  The second half of his life has been spent in Japan, where his business is Hollywood, but in the last 4 years, he has been leading a bunch of young global young leaders in Japan.  He and his team have a spectacular show planned for us in May 2022 in Tokyo.

Director, One Young World Japan

President, Winery Productions