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. 8 August 2006

Summary of activities during the first half of 2006

Cases

Japan: Deficits, Demography, and Deflation
Professor Dick Vietor (BGIE) developed a case on Japan focusing on its challenges related to fiscal deficits, demography and deflationary economy. It is based on extensive interviews with two dozen people including Heizo Takenaka (Minister of State for Economic Fiscal Policy), senior officials at the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Japan, and the Cabinet Office, researchers, academics, economists, and executives of large corporations and major banks. The case will be used in BGIE in the Required Curriculum.

Takashimaya in Transition
Professor Rajiv Lal (Marketing) developed a case on Takashimaya, Japan's largest department store. President Suzuki, who took the helm in March 2003, had succeeded in cutting costs to improve profits. But now he had to develop a firm plan to increase sales, especially sales in apparel which accounted for 36% its revenue.

Livedoor
Professor Robin Greenwood (Finance) developed a case on Livedoor, a small internet venture run by 32-year-old CEO, Takafumi Horie, focusing on its attempt to gain control over Fuji Television, Japan's top-grossing television network. In early 2005, Hisashi Hieda, Fuji Television's President, found himself in a difficult position and considered several options.

JAFCO
Professor Rawi Abdelal (BGIE) developed a case on JAFCO, the largest venture capital in Japan, focusing on its investment activities in China. The case discusses how the macro-economic and political environment influenced JAFCO's investment in China and its strategy. The case was used in a second-year elective course named Managing International Trade and Investment.

Shinsei Bank
Professor David Upton (Technology Operations Management) and Research Associate, Virginia Fuller, completed a case on Shinsei Bank, a bank managed by Thierry Porte (MBA 1982). In order to provide innovative, customer-friendly retail banking services, Jay Dvivedi, Senior Managing Executive Officer in charge of IT infrastructure, replaced mainframes with a flexible system based on Windows-based personal computers and public telecommunications network.

Visitors from Boston


Professor Joe Badaracco at the alumni club presentation

During the first half of 2006, Tom DeLong (Organizational Behavior), Dan Snow (Technology and Operations Management), Andrei Hagiu (Strategy) and Anita Elberse (Marketing) visited Tokyo to engage in research and case development. In addition, several professors came to Tokyo to teach at an executive education program. Among such professors, Joe Badaracco (Strategy) gave a presentation at the HBS Club of Japan on July 20. The presentation was titled "Demanding Challenges of Responsible Leadership" and took place at Tokyo American Club.

Early in the year Pamela Ralston (Assistant Director, MBA Program) visited Tokyo to interview candidates. Harvard Business Review Editors Tom Stewart and Anand Raman visited Tokyo in June to attend World Economic Forum on East Asia held in Tokyo as well as to organize "Breakthrough Ideas Workshop" in cooperation with World Economic Forum staff. Josh Merrow (Managing Director, Development) visited Tokyo in July to meet various alumni living in Japan.

Ted Bestor (Professor of Social Anthropology, Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, Harvard University) visited our office in July to discuss his research including possible collaboration to develop a HBS case. Ted Gilman (Associate Director, Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, Harvard University) also visited our office to explain various activities the Institute is undertaking in Japan.

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