#Japan #Tokyo #Aoba-BBT #Shunji Sugaya #Business Japan Open

Aoba-BBT Group's Special Anniversary Project

Aoba-BBT, headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has planned an eventful online talk as a key feature of their anniversary project. On January 14, 2026, the group will host an engaging online discussion that focuses on the significant entrepreneurial decisions and innovation strategies in today’s uncertain times.

The guest speaker for this special event is Shunji Sugaya, the CEO of OPTiM Co., a leading company in the AI and IoT fields. Sugaya is notable for receiving the Masayoshi Son Award during the Business Japan Open (BJO), a business contest organized by Aoba-BBT. This event aims to unravel the themes of decision-making and innovation that are crucial for entrepreneurs navigating through uncertain business landscapes.

Background of the Event

The dialogue is part of Aoba-BBT's broader anniversary project, titled "Life-time Empowerment in Invisible Continent," which spans from 2025 to 2027. This project coincides with the 50th and 100th anniversaries of multiple educational institutions within the group, including Attackers Business School (ABS) and BBT University. This landmark occasion is not merely a milestone but a pivot toward new value creation for the future.

Objectives of the Project

One of the primary goals of this dialogue is to showcase the impact and transformative power of Aoba-BBT's diverse alumni. Through their inspiring journeys, the group intends to demonstrate how the principle of “Life-time Empowerment” can lead to significant societal change. Sugaya's ambitious story of refusal to accept a multi-million yen acquisition offer from Masayoshi Son reflects a profound commitment to pursuing one's passion and vision. This act of prioritizing ambition has paved the way for building a publicly traded company that continuously challenges and reshapes industrial structures. The collaboration in this dialogue will help pass the baton of innovation to future leaders.

Highlights of the Discussion

The discussion will focus on three critical perspectives that have contributed to OPTiM’s resilience and success, consistently achieving record high sales for 20 consecutive terms. The conversation will explore:

1. Philosophy of Decisions: Sugaya's unique decision-making logic, which led him to choose fulfilling experiences over short-term profits. How turning down a lucrative proposal from Son has contributed to the prevailing culture of resilience and defiance at OPTiM.

2. Disruptive Strategies: Overcoming bankruptcy threats due to limited funds and navigating the fallout from the Lehman Shock by providing technology at no charge to enter a 90 trillion yen market. We'll uncover how Sugaya cultivated a culture of invention as a means of stress relief, transforming challenges into opportunities for redefining industry standards.

3. Vision for the Future: With the understanding that businesses have a lifecycle, Sugaya emphasizes the importance of maintaining a culture of challenge rather than resting on past successes. He will share actionable insights into how to cultivate a vision within an organization that leverages AI and IoT for sustainable growth.

Event Details

• - Date and Time: January 14, 2026, from 17:00 to 18:00 (JST)
• - Format: Online (Zoom Webinar)
• - Participation Fee: Free
• - Registration Deadline: January 13, 2026, at 15:00
• - Sign Up Here: Event Registration

Who Should Attend?

This event is tailored for:

• - Aspiring entrepreneurs and those planning to start their own ventures.
• - Leaders seeking inner guidance on management decisions in these uncertain times.
• - Alumni and students eager to learn how to apply practical learning in their careers.

Profiles of the Speakers

Shunji Sugaya

CEO of OPTiM Co. Born in 1976 in Kobe, Sugaya founded OPTiM during his time at Saga University. The company went public in 2015 and has accumulated around 1000 patents, leading in the scale of intellectual property assets in the information and communications field in Japan.

Iwao Shibata

President of Aoba-BBT. An alumnus of Kyoto University, he holds multiple advanced degrees and has forged a unique perspective through multinational education. Shibata has successfully initiated numerous businesses and played a pivotal role in educational innovation within Aoba-BBT.

About Aoba-BBT

Founded in April 1998, Aoba-BBT aims to cultivate global leaders by providing comprehensive educational programs. Their innovative learning environments and services support continuous growth for students and professionals alike. Aoba-BBT is committed to evolving as a leader in the education sector, contributing to shaping the future of learning.