Fwd: AOTS E-Newsletter: Management Training in Japan /Information from Hiroshima Global Academy (HiGA) /Insight

[g.s...@bcci.bg]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: AOTS E-Newsletter: Management Training in Japan /Information
from Hiroshima Global Academy (HiGA) /Insight
Date: 2026-05-29 04:30
From: ARI/AOTS <aotsjp>
To: g.stoev/BJEC/AOTS

◆◇ AOTS E-Newsletter ◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

29 May 2026

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"AOTS E-Newsletter" is published by the Association for Overseas
Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS)
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*This e-mail has been sent from a send-only address.

<Index>
1. Management Training in Japan (Subsidized program)
2. Information from Hiroshima Global Academy (HiGA)
3. Insight: Thoughts on the Management Philosophy of Various Japanese
Companies

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1) Management Training in Japan (Subsidized program)
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Applications for the following courses are now open!

1) Program for All Countries [Language: English]

(1)The Executive Program on Corporate Management [EPCM].
Widen your perspectives and upgrade your performance as an executive
through high level discussions utilizing the Case Method.

Duration: From 2 September to 15 September 2026.
Place: AOTS Tokyo Kenshu Center (Adachi-ku, Tokyo, Japan).


2) Program for Africa [Language: English]

(1)The Program on Corporate Management for Africa -Creating Value from
Customer's Viewpoint- [AFCM].
AFCM aims to deepen understanding of customer-centric value creation and
the customer value creation process, enabling participants to apply
these concepts in real-world business management settings.

Duration: From 7 October to 20 October 2026.
Place: AOTS Kansai Kenshu Center (Osaka-shi, Osaka, Japan).


How to apply: Applications will be accepted via AOTS Alumni Societies.
Please contact the closest one.
https://www.aots.jp/en/alumni/about/

Please visit AOTS website for more info.
https://www.aots.jp/en/what-we-do/hrd/management/subsidized/list-of-courses/


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2. Information from Hiroshima Global Academy (HiGA)
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Hiroshima Global Academy (HiGA) is located on an island in Hiroshima,
Japan.
We are an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School that offers the
Diploma Program (DP) from Grades 10 through to 12.
Additionally, our school offers a full board dormitory system.
We provide a high-quality education at an affordable price.

Click here for an overview of the school.
https://higa-s.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Pamphlet-Eng-ver.pdf



We are going to have the school information webinar at 1:00 pm on the
20th of June 2026, JST.
We would like to welcome you to the webinar!
Please check the URL below for more details.

Click here for information about the school information webinar.
https://higa-s.jp/en/senior-high-news/we-will-be-holding-an-online-information-session-for-high-school-students-in-the-2026-academic-year/

Click here for information about Admissions.
https://higa-s.jp/en/senior-high/index/application-process/

[Inquiry]
higa...@higanet.higa.ed.jp

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3. Insight: Thoughts on the Management Philosophy of Various Japanese
Companies
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Even Konosuke Matsushita, who is known as the "God of Management" in
Japan, had difficulty with business succession at the company he
founded, Panasonic. In fact, he failed once when choosing a successor.
To uphold a management philosophy, one must have the management
skills needed to put that philosophy into practice. A philosophy is not
just words: it only has meaning when it is reflected in daily management
decisions and actions. If someone lacks qualities and skills as a
manager, they will not be able to show others the way to achieve a
management philosophy, no matter how noble it is. As a result, a
disconnect will occur between the philosophy and reality, leading to a
lack of faith among employees. Therefore, when a founder is choosing a
successor, I believe it is crucial that they make the decision with a
selfless mindset, based on the management philosophy they advocate.

In 1961, when Kounosuke was 66 years old, he appointed his 49-year-old
son-in-law as Matsushita Electric's second president. In contrast to his
management philosophy, which always preached that "a company is a public
institution," he insisted on succession based on blood ties rather than
ability.
However, when he realized that he was concerned about the new
president's management skills, Kounosuke grew impatient and went over
the president's head, effectively taking direct control of the company's
operations just three years later. While this enabled the company to
overcome a temporary management crisis, it created a two-tiered
management structure, which led to confusion.

After reflecting on his actions, Kounosuke selected a junior director
called Toshihiko Yamashita as the third president in 1977. In the mass
media, this shock appointment, in which a lowly director ranked second
from the bottom (25th out of 26) was suddenly named president, was
dubbed the "Yamashita jump" in reference to the vaulting prowess of
Haruhiro Yamashita, a well-known gymnast of the time.
Yamashita was an employee who hadn't graduated from university and
who quit Matsushita Electric once, then returned to the company. By the
standards of the time, he was a man who would never become the
president. What's more, it seemed that Yamashita had infuriated
Kounosuke many times by brazenly disagreeing with the founder's opinions
when he thought they were wrong. It is said that Kounosuke appointed
Yamashita despite this because he realized that there was not a trace of
self-interest in his words and actions.

At the same time, he came to believe that his former successes were
based on the optimal solutions under past conditions and could not
necessarily be applied directly in the current management environment.
Konosuke Matsushita viewed Yamashita as someone with the potential to
surpass his own past achievements, and unlike the previous time, he
decided not to interfere in his successor's management, even if he was
dissatisfied or anxious. Instead, he watched over him calmly and
patiently.
After Yamashita took over, the company achieved record results year
after year. During his nine years as president, he transformed
Matsushita Electric from a manufacturer of home appliances into a
comprehensive electronics manufacturer, increasing both sales and
operating profit by 2.6 times.

To be continued in the next edition.

Rikio Suma, Author



Copyright 2016
The Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable
Partnerships (AOTS) 30-1, Senju-Azuma 1-chome, Adachi-ku, Tokyo
120-8534, JAPAN