#Japan #Tokyo #Concord Executive Group #Hitotsubashi University #Hidetaka Watanabe

Hidetaka Watanabe Takes On a New Challenge as a Visiting Professor at Hitotsubashi University

In a major announcement, Concord Executive Group, based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has revealed that its CEO, Hidetaka Watanabe, has been appointed as a visiting professor at Hitotsubashi University. Starting in the autumn-winter semester of 2025, Watanabe will be leading a comprehensive course titled "Career Management," which will feature a total of 13 sessions designed for students across all disciplines at the university.

The course aims to enlighten students on fundamental principles of career design, effective job searching strategies, and preparations essential for thriving in the professional world. Notably, the curriculum will also invite a range of business leaders—including social entrepreneurs, female executives, and strategic consultants—as guest speakers. These experts will share their insights on the joy and significance of work, giving students the necessary tools to contribute positively to society via their own aspirations and interests. The objective of this course is to instill a structured understanding of career design that empowers students to lead fulfilling lives.

Course Overview

Course Title

Career Management

Instructor

Hidetaka Watanabe (Visiting Professor at Hitotsubashi University / CEO of Concord Executive Group)

Semester

Autumn-Winter Semester of 2025 (Fridays, 3rd period, 13 sessions)

Target Audience

Open to all Hitotsubashi University students across different faculties and years

Main Content

1. Foundation Module: Impact of career design on life, methods to establish a "desired future image," crafting career strategies, and effective job selection preparation.
2. Dialogue Module: A series of discussions with prominent business leaders, featuring those with backgrounds in strategic consulting, general trading companies, IT, finance, think tanks, social entrepreneurship, and female executives.
3. Advanced Module: Preparing for a successful career launch post-employment and utilizing job transitions proactively for autonomous career development.
4. Final Review: An interactive Q&A session.

Required Textbook

"Career Strategy Method" – This book, published by Nikkei Publishing, is designed to guide students through the foundational aspects of career strategy while sharing Watanabe's proprietary methods for maximizing career potential. Previously adopted as the textbook for a course aimed at 3rd- and 4th-year students at the University of Tokyo, it’s essential reading for aspiring future leaders.

Related Websites

Career Design Techniques for University Freshmen
The career education site, CareerPod, managed by Concord Academy, offers an array of resources designed to enhance career design methodology, industry research, and selective long-term internship opportunities tailored for first-year university students.

Insight from Hidetaka Watanabe

In his own words, Watanabe emphasizes the importance of career design: "People spend a significant portion of their lives at work. Whether one finds joy and fulfillment in their job greatly influences their life satisfaction. Career design is a vital theme for anyone wishing to lead their desired life, and the student years present an ideal opportunity to deeply engage in this process. I encourage students to cherish this valuable time and prepare adequately for their future in society through this course. Through our efforts at Concord Executive Group, we aim to further nurture the leaders of tomorrow."

About Concord Executive Group

Concord Executive Group is a career design firm recognized as the inaugural MVP in the consulting category of the Japan Headhunter Awards. The firm boasts outstanding achievements in supporting career transitions to leading consulting firms such as McKinsey and BCG and in aiding executives in their post-consulting careers. Our proposed career strategy theory has been published as a book by Diamond and Nikkei Press. Furthermore, Concord actively participates in career education initiatives through courses at prestigious institutions such as the University of Tokyo and Hitotsubashi University, alongside speaking engagements at business conferences while passionately supporting the development of the next generation of leaders.