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.

Japanese Version

Newsletter No. 6 September 2005

Summary of activities during the first half of 2005

Cases

Nomura Holdings
Tarun Khanna (Strategy) developed a case on Nomura Holdings which focuses on the relationship between the company's strategy and its governance structure. In 2003, as a result of the change in the commercial code, Nomura Holdings was trying to adopt a committee system, a governance structure very similar to the one widely used in the U.S. The case allows discussions on Nomura's strategic choices, governance structure alternatives, and the relationship between the two decisions.

eAccess, Ltd.
Tom Eisenmann (Entrepreneurial Management) developed a case on eAccess, a startup providing the largest wholesale ADSL service in Japan. The case describes the history of eAccess, the telecom industry background, Softbank's entry and the subsequent, explosive growth of the market. It is set in November 2004, and concludes with questions as to eAccess's strategic alternatives, especially with regard to its potential entry into wireless business.

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.: Mobile FeliCa
Steve Bradley (Strategy) and Tom Eisenmann (Entrepreneurial Management) developed a case on NTT DoCoMo's initiative to provide "life infrastructure" service using mobile phones. The service, using contactless ICs (developed by Sony) imbedded in the mobile phones, allows users to make payments in stores, ride trains or secure entry into buildings. The case discusses the competitive environment and strategic options for NTT DoCoMo using FeliCa technology.

Japan Communications, Inc.
Dan Isenberg (Entrepreneurial Management) developed a case on Japan Communications Inc., a telecommunications service provider offering wireless communications services, founded by Frank Sanda (AMP93) in 1996. The case discusses the challenges facing Sanda as the underwriters recommended that the IPO of the company should be withdrawn subsequent to a precipitous drop in the stock market. The case was used in Entrepreneurial Manager, the required course in the first-year curriculum.

Ito-Yokado: The Challenge of Apparel
Rajiv Lal (Marketing) developed a case on Ito-Yokado (IY), the most profitable superstore in Japan, with focus on its apparel business. Toshifumi Suzuki, CEO, who successfully built Seven-Eleven Japan (SEJ), implemented the Reform Program and revolutionized the way business was done at both IY and SEJ. In 2005, Suzuki faced a challenge because his initiatives, which proved successful in the food business, were not working in the apparel business. This case can be used with the note titled "Overview of the Japanese Apparel Market" and/or the note titled "Tanpin Kanri: Retail Practice at Seven-Eleven Japan"

Visitors from Boston

During the first half of 2005, David Upton (Technology and Operations Management), his Research Associate Virginia Fuller, Forest Reinhardt (BGIE), Dennis Yao (Strategy), Richard Vietor (BGIE), and Nancy Beaulieu (Negotiation, Organizations & Markets) visited Tokyo to engage in research and case development. Nancy Beaulieu participated in 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year Award presentation organized by HBS Club of Japan on June 28.

Germaine Choe (Distribution Development Manager of HBS Publishing) visited Japan to explore the market opportunities for eLearning and other HBSP offerings. Lynton Hayes (Executive Director, Executive Education) visited to discuss new executive education programs with Japanese corporations and explore other opportunities.

New Staff

In May, Chisato Toyama joined JRO to work as Research Associate three days a week. Ms. Toyama previously worked at Merrill Lynch (Global Principal Investments). She received her MBA from HBS in 1999 and a BA from Keio University.

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