#Sustainability #Japan #Tokyo #ESG #Social Impact Research

Introduction

From January 22, 2026, the program at J. F. Oberlin University is getting underway, targeting professionals interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and impact assessment. In this age of social and environmental awareness, businesses must not only comply with regulations but also demonstrate their societal contributions and sustainability efforts. The course titled "AI for Practical Impact Assessment of Listed Companies" aims to equip participants with the skills to evaluate their organizations' societal impact effectively.

What You Will Learn

The program goes beyond theory and focuses on practical applications. Participants will create their impact pathways, establish evaluation metrics, and craft compelling narratives for stakeholders. By the end of the course, professionals will possess actual outputs applicable for internal discussions and presentations to investors, making it an invaluable investment of time and resources.

Participants' Profile

This innovative program welcomes various professionals, including:

• - Corporate strategy and sustainability managers
• - Investor relations (IR) professionals involved in ESG investments and integrated reporting
• - New business development planners
• - Consultants and financial institution representatives

Key Benefits

1. Complete Your Company's Impact Assessment
Rather than relying on vague concepts, participants will work on their business cases to create clear impact pathways, evaluation metrics, and KPIs. By the end of the program, each participant will have a comprehensible output ready for corporate and investor discussions, saving significant consulting costs.

2. Speed Up Impact Assessment Using AI
Traditionally, impact assessment can take weeks. This course aims to reduce this time significantly, structuring, comparing, and hypothesizing using AI technology, allowing professionals to focus on meaningful interpretation and judgment rather than on data collection.

3. Connect Impact with Financial Value
Learn why societal impact corresponds with long-term corporate value. Participants will understand how to connect return on invested capital (ROIC), growth options, and intangible assets.

4. Engage in Meaningful Discussions
Participants will gain the vocabulary needed to converse with peers and investors on the same level, moving past superficial ESG explanations towards credible discussions on impact investing and integrated reporting.

Course Structure

The curriculum consists of seven sessions:

• - Session 1: Introduction: Why Impact Assessment and AI Now?
• - Session 2: Understanding the Fundamental Structure of Impact Assessment
• - Session 3: Crafting Impact Pathways with AI
• - Session 4: Measuring and Designing Impact Assessments
• - Session 5: Linking Impact with Intangible Assets and Corporate Value
• - Session 6: Creating Decision-Making Narratives Using AI
• - Session 7: Final Presentations and Feedback

The program is designed as a hands-on series that allows participants to not just understand theories but actively implement their own impact assessments using AI.

Course Details

• - Duration: January 22, 2026 – March 5, 2026 (Every Thursday, 7 sessions)
• - Time: Thursdays from 18:40 to 20:20 (100 minutes each session)
• - Format: Online via live Zoom sessions (interactive), with in-person events also offered for networking and Q&A.
• - Recordings: All sessions will be recorded and made available for reference.
• - Tuition Fee: 80,000 yen for all 7 sessions.
• - Capacity: 10 participants (first come, first served)
• - Format: Online with archives available to catch up on missed sessions.

If interested, please contact us using the form below.

Meet the Instructors

Taku Kumazawa
Founder and Partner at Social Impact Research; lecturer at SBI Graduate School, securities analyst, and overseer of the Sustainability Program at J. F. Oberlin University. He possesses a deep understanding of social impact bonding and finance, having led significant projects since establishing his firm in Heisei 22 (2010).

Shunji Taga
A Kyoto University law graduate, he possesses an MBA from Waseda University. Currently an auditor at Social Impact Research, he has spent over 25 years in finance, notably in establishing organizations and building financial circulation schemes. His expertise in the domain of social impact research is extensive and well-respected.

Contact Information

If you are interested in joining this transformative program or wish to attend our free information session, please complete the following form:
Contact Form

Join us on a journey toward meaningful corporate impact assessment powered by artificial intelligence!