Made With Japan

4. Matthew Goodman : It’s cool to be a Japan Expert Again

On being a “gaijin” in Japan in the 80s, being cursed in 90s, the rise of China, relationship with Korea, with Myanmar, Trump to Biden, catastrophic mistake to withdraw from TPP, democracy, Japan’s “stock” and opportunity to step up.

Let’s take a trip around Asia Pacific with Japan as the starting point.  Our guide will be Matthew Goodman, a policy specialist in the region with a wealth of experience and insights formed through his long career both in the public and private sector, and hence a keen observer of this critical part of the world.

Matthew Godman
Senior Vice President for Economics and Simon Chair in Political Economy

Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)

https://www.csis.org/people/matthew-p-goodman

3. Kiyoshi Kurokawa: Take a Leap ! in the Connected World

Starting his career as medical practitioner, specializing in nephrology (kidney disease) , Kiyoshi’s field of activities took a big leap beyond the medical practice.   At 84 years strong, Kiyoshi is one of the most globally recognized opinion leaders from Japan.   

He was the chairman of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission.  “How could this happen in Japan, a country with reputation for excellence in engineering and manufacturing,” questions Kiyoshi.  "Japan has to show leadership to learn from failure and disaster."

Kiyoshi encourages the young people of Japan to “take a leap!” Getting college credit or not is irrelevant.  It is the experience that should be valued, gaining new perspectives about Japan.

For the world, Kiyoshi sends his greetings.  “There are many young eager stars in Japan.  Come work with us, come study with us.”  We live in a connected world."

2. Christina Ahmadjian: From OL (Office Lady) to the Boardroom

Chris is in a class of her own. She is a professor in Japan, an American of Armenian and Swedish descent.  Join us in her journey from serving tea as an OL (office lady) to the current positions as an expert on corporate goverenance in Japan, playing an active role an independent director of several large Japanese corporatons.  Her passion is kimonos and "ojisans" in Japan always seems to keep her days interesting.

1 Tak Niinami: Fallacies of the “Golden Mean”

Tak is one of the most widely recognized business executives in Japan, as CEO of Suntory Holdings, a leading beverage company that spans the globe.  He shares with us his thoughts regarding  leading a different path, good greed, diversity, as well as Japan’s soft power.