#Japan #Tokyo #Outside Directors #Executive Research Institute #Governance Networking

Networking and Learning Event for Outside Directors

In an effort to advance the evolution of outside directors in Japanese companies, the Executive Research Institute, led by Ayako Shimura, is initiating a networking and educational platform. This initiative comes at a crucial time when organizations are in dire need of strategically qualified outside directors to bolster their governance frameworks.

Context and Background

The need for strategic, skilled outside directors is more pressing than ever. Unfortunately, the landscape is still marred by instances where directors are appointed due to connections with parent companies or through informal recommendations instead of merit-based qualifications. This was notably highlighted in a recent article in the Nikkei, emphasizing the irrelevance of merely ornamental outside directors in today’s corporate climate.

In response to this, the Executive Research Institute aims to create a valuable networking environment for both seasoned executives and newcomers seeking to transform their understanding of the role as that of a proactive and effective outside director.

Value Proposition

This networking platform will provide several pivotal resources, including:

• - Information Gathering: A space designated for gathering insights on corporate governance.
• - Workshops for Outside Directors: Structured learning sessions led by experienced outside directors.
• - Speaker Engagements: Opportunities to hear from seasoned professionals share their journeys and experiences in governance.
• - Opportunities for Dialogue: A platform for open communication among participants to facilitate knowledge exchange.

The vision is to shape this initiative into a meaningful opportunity for participants, organizing it on a smaller scale to ensure depth of interaction.

As such, we invite anyone interested in this endeavor to review the information below and apply for participation.

Initial Event: Application Details

General Information

• - Capacity: Limited to 25 participants for an intimate experience
• - Target Audience: Experienced outside directors and aspiring candidates aged between 37 to 58
• - Prerequisites: Must have experience as an outside director or possess expertise in fields like HR, marketing, law, or finance.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants should submit their resumes and records of employment to the following email: info@executive-ri.jp.
Successful candidates will receive detailed information about the initial networking event. For information regarding personal data handling, please check here.

Participation Costs and Schedule

• - Registration Fee: Free
• - Workshop Fees: Costs will apply for each session, with the initial one priced at approximately 30,000 yen.
• - Frequency: The events will occur about every 3 to 4 months.

Details for the First Event

• - Timing: Scheduled for early November
• - Duration: Expected to start around 6 PM on a weekday
• - Location: Anticipated to be near Tokyo Station
• - Overview: The event will feature a lecture by a current outside director followed by Q&A, alongside opportunities for networking among participants.

Feedback from attendees will be solicited post-event to guide future sessions.

Content Examples

• - Guest Speaker Sessions: Engaging presentations and Q&A sessions led by current outside directors and professionals with accounting or other specialized expertise.
• - Educational Topics: Workshops covering the roles of outside directors, trends in capital markets, risk management, the corporate governance code, sustainability, and human rights due diligence, among others.

Moreover, there may be opportunities for our company to recommend participants for outside director positions, contingent upon alignment of individual aspirations with client needs, at no cost.

Recommendation from Koji Takagi, CEO of Celebrain: “Hiring neutral individuals from outside to supervise company operations provides a much-needed objective perspective. With a growing challenge in securing high-quality personnel, such initiatives are essential, and I look forward to their ongoing development.”

Hosted by

Executive Research Institute
Official Website: here
Contact: info@executive-ri.jp