Japan Research Center

The Harvard Business School Japan Research Center (JRC) opened in January 2002. Located in Tokyo, its primary purpose is to support HBS faculty research and case-writing activities in Japan. JRC plays an important role in helping HBS advance its activities. Through its work in Japan, facilitated by the JRC, HBS strives to deepen faculty's understanding of and exposure to Japanese management issues, trends, and practices, as well as developing locally relevant case studies and course materials for use in MBA and Executive Education programs around the world. The School is heavily involved in strengthening ties with important constituencies in Japan (including companies, universities, government, and HBS alumni) - these relationships are critical to ensuring that the School's efforts have an impact. The work of the JRC has enabled the School's faculty to identify and study important management advancements in Japan, or develop and test their ideas within a Japanese framework.

Harvard Business School Japan Research Symposium was held in Tokyo on March 23, 2007, and Dean Jay O Light made an opening speech.

Japanese Version

Newsletter No. 1 March 2003

Japan Research Office Inaugural Event on December 3, 2002

photo of Michael Porter Harvard Business School (HBS) officially opened its Japan Research Office (JRO) on Dec. 3 with an inaugural event at Tokyo's Imperial Hotel attended by over two hundred guests, including Japanese business leaders, prominent academics, and alumni.

Given Japan's status as the world's second largest economy and its long history of innovation and adaptability in the business world, it is imperative that Harvard Business School faculty be able to study this economy at close range, said Professor John A. Quelch, senior associate dean for international development. Already, JRO is enabling faculty to do first-hand research on Japanese companies and form key relationships with the country's private and public-sector leaders.

Yotaro Kobayashi, chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives and one of the country's top business leaders, gave a speech in which he welcomed Harvard Business School's decision to open a research office in Japan. His remarks were followed by a toast by Masato Tsuru (MBA '77), head of the HBS Club of Japan as well as president of NOK Corporation. After dinner, University Professor Michael E. Porter gave a presentation titled "Building the Microeconomic Foundations of Prosperity: Findings from the Global Competitiveness Report."

Summary of Activities in 2002

Cases

NTT DoCoMo: Marketing i-mode to Masses
Youngme Moon (Marketing) explored how NTT DoCoMo built and executed marketing strategy for the new service. The successful strategy went against the conventional wisdom and established marketing techniques.

Australia-Japan Cable
Ben Esty (Finance) developed this case for his project finance course. The company is engaged in building a submarine fiber optic cable connecting Australia, Guam and Japan, and is jointly owned by Telstra, MCI World Com, NTT Communications, Japan Telecom and others. The case deals with governance issues of the project company.

Nissan Motor 2002
Mike Yoshino (General Management) and Masako Egawa wrote this case on the restructuring of the auto company under Carlos Ghosn's leadership. The case focuses on the period from spring 1999, when Renault took control over Nissan, through mid 2002, when Ghosn successfully turned around the company through Nissan Revival Plan.

Rakuten
Warren McFarlan (General Management) developed this case on the successful internet shopping mall company founded by Hiroshi Mikitani (MBA '93). The case was taught in the elective course, "Managing Information Age", on February 13, 2003, when Mikitani joined the class.

[The above cases are availalbe at: http://www.harvardbusinessonline.com. HBS Publishing is currently exploring ways to facilitate broader distribution of cases in Japan.]

Faculty Visits

In January 2002, Harvard University's Asia Center held its executive committee in Tokyo. President Larry Summers joined the meeting, and it was his first overseas trip since he became President of the university.

Nearly 20 faculty members visited Japan during 2002. They include Gregor Andrade, Lynda Applegate, Joe Badaracco, Rohit Deshpande, Peter Hecht, Regina Herzlinger, Carl Kester, Warren McFarlan, Youngme Moon, Nitin Nohria, Lynn Paine, Tom Piper, Michael Porter, John Quelch, Mal Salter, Luis Viceira, and Mike Yoshino.

In October, Dwight Perkins, the new head of Asia Center, visited Japan. He succeeded Bill Kirby, who became Dean of Arts and Sciences.

Faculty Involvement in Alumni Events

Regi Herzlinger made presentation to the alumni club on Consumer-Driven Health Care on March 18, 2002. She pointed out the lack of choice, convenience and information in the present health care system and recommended consumer-driven restructuring.

Warren McFarlan conducted a case study session for the alumni club on June 4. About 50 people joined a lively discussion on the Charles Schwab case, even though there was the first World Cup game for Japan (with Belgium) in the same evening!

Gregor Andrade joined the Business Award Dinner on November 22 and made some remarks on the recent developments at HBS.

HBS Faculty in the Press

Warren McFarlan's interview was featured in June 2002 issue of Diamond Harvard Business Review. He discussed HBS's plan to open a research office in Tokyo and how the school is keen to learn from Japanese companies.

Mike Yoshino was featured in an article on December 2 of Nikkei Industrial Journal. The article explained that HBS recently developed a case on Nissan focusing on "Carlos Ghosn's Revolution."

Michael Porter's interview was carried on Dec 28-Jan 4 issue of Weekly Toyokeizai. He emphasized the importance of developing a unique strategy for Japanese companies.

Nitin Nohria appeared in January 2003 issue of JMAM Human Capital as he discussed leadership issue with Tomo Noda (DBA '96). The magazine, published by an affiliate of the Japan Management Association (Nihon Nohritsu Kyokai), is widely read by HRM professionals.

John Quelch's interview was featured on the Opinion section of Diamond Harvard Business Review, March 2003 issue. The article was titled: The Impact of the Experience Value.

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