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. 3 March 2004

Summary of activities during the last half of 2003

Cases

The following cases were released during the last half of 2003.

Transforming Matsui Securities
Lynda Applegate (Entrepreneurial Management) developed a case examining the transformation of Matsui Securities from a small offline securities firm into a leading online securities company. The case focuses on President Michio Matsui's leadership and a series of innovations that led to the transformation of the firm.

The case may be used in combination with a note titled "Online Securities Trading in Japan" which describes the landscape of the Japanese securities industry and how online firms such as Matsui, E*TRADE, DLJ direct SFG, and Monex have become major players in this fast-growing sector. Professor Applegate has been researching networked global markets and organizations for several years and has developed other cases as well, including Understanding Securities Markets in the United States and Japan (2002) and NASDAQ Japan: E-Merging Markets (2001).

Kikkoman Corp.: Consumer Focused Innovation
Rohit Desphande (Marketing) developed a case on Kikkoman, the world's largest producer of soy sauce and a pioneer in overseas markets since the 1950s. The case discusses the company's international marketing strategy and brand management as CEO Yuzaburo Mogi explores innovative ways to grow revenue in the face of saturation and increased competition in the Japanese market.

Yamato Transport: Valuing and Pricing Network Services
Tarun Khanna and Felix Oberholzer (Strategy) developed a case for the required first-year strategy course on Yamato Transport, the leading door-to-door parcel delivery company in Japan. Beginning with an overview of the industry, the case discusses how Yamato developed its "Takkyubin" business ("Takkyubin" is the brand name of Yamato's door-to-door parcel delivery service) and sustained its leadership position through a series of innovations. The case also focuses on the ways Yamato created competitive advantage and value for its customers. In late 2003, Yamato’s president, Atsushi Yamazaki, had to deal with the privatization of Japan's Post Office and its plans to become increasingly aggressive in the future.

Visitors from Boston

During the latter half of 2003, Mihir Desai (Finance), Tarun Kahnna (Strategy) and Felix Oberholzer (Strategy) visited Tokyo to conduct research and develop cases. In August, Joe Badaracco, Michael Beer, Carl Kester, David Moss, Jan Rivkin, Mike Yoshino, and Jonathan West visited Japan to teach at the Nomura Advanced School of Management.

Mike Yoshino, Professor Emeritus and Senior Advisor to JRO, has moved his residence from Boston to Tokyo and expects to spend a couple of days a week at the Japan Research Office, conducting research and writing cases on the transformation of major Japanese companies.

HBS Publishing representatives have been actively exploring market opportunities in Asia. Ray Carvey (COO) and John Chen (Managing Director, International) visited Tokyo in September. Perry Bedinger (Director, International Accounts and Distribution) and Germaine Choe (Distribution Development Manager) made two trips in November 2003 and January 2004.

Mariko Gakiya, a Ph.D. candidate in the Graduate School of Education who has been conducting research on female Japanese entrepreneurs, visited the Japan Research Office in August at the introduction of Myra Hart (Entrepreneurial Management). JRO provided introductions to some interview candidates.

Research Associates

During June and July, Atsuko Nakajima (MBA 2004) worked on several case projects at the Japan Research Office as a summer intern.

In August we began recruiting for a permanent research associate position. We appreciate immensely the support of HBS alumni during our recruiting activities. We are pleased toannounce that we have hired two research associates, both working part-time. Akiko Kanno (middle) joined at the beginning of February. Ms. Kanno previously worked at Merrill Lynch (Equity Research) and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi (Project Finance). She is a graduate of Sophia University and the Wharton School. Ariko Ota will join us in April. Ms. Ota holds a BA from International Christian University and a Ph.D. in sociology from Columbia University.

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