#Japan #Tokyo #AI Management #mento #Management Success

Management Success Summit 2025

On December 2, 2025, the ento Inc. hosted the Management Success Summit 2025 in Shibuya, Tokyo, focusing on the evolving role of management in the AI era. The event, themed "Is AI a Threat or a Hope?" brought together esteemed management personnel and thought leaders to explore organizational transformation through innovative management strategies.

Background: The Need for Change in Management

As the burdens of middle management intensify, it has been said that being a manager can feel like a punishment rather than a privilege. Mento, driven by the vision of increasing the total labor enthusiasm in the country, aims to redefine management practices to adapt to the challenges posed by AI. This summit marks the second iteration of the Management Success event, following its successful debut in 2024, where discussions centered on management's evolution in light of disruptive technologies.

Keynote Session: Structural Ineptitude in Corporations

One of the highlights of the summit was the keynote session titled, "Why Do Large Companies Attract 'Structural Ineptitude'? - How Middle Management Can Initiate Corporate Transformation." Speakers included Professor Genichi Udagawa from Saitama University and Hiroyuki Nagashima from Chuo University. They discussed the concept of structural ineptitude prevalent in Japanese corporations and delved into potential ways to stimulate organizational change, underscoring the importance of teams rather than traditional approaches to reform.

Expert Session: Management with AI

Following the keynote, an expert session titled, "What is Management with AI? Is AI a Threat or Hope?" led by industry experts such as Yoshifumi Miki, Shoji Yamashita, and Naoko Ishihara explored the transformative impact of AI on management roles. They posed questions about how to leverage AI as an ally rather than viewing it as competition, focused on improving the quality of one-on-one meetings and extracting authentic insights using technology.

Management Success Award 2025

A significant portion of the summit was dedicated to the Management Success Award 2025, recognizing six managerial figures from various organizations for their exemplary leadership and success in overcoming challenges. The awardees shared their personal narratives, highlighting the innovations and cultural shifts they drove within their companies. Notable recipients included:

• - Saori Miyahara from NTT Docomo
• - Katsuhiko Makino from Shizuoka Shimbun
• - Yoko Yamada from Seven Bank
• - Daisuke Aoki from Dentsu
• - Yamato Saito from Recruit Staffing
• - Mai Nagai from Panasonic

Through their engaging five-minute speeches, these leaders illustrated how they tackled internal challenges and what transformation ensued.

Networking Session

Post-sessions, a networking event facilitated connections among speakers, awardees, and attendees, fostering dialogues around subjects including organizational development, human resources, and the utilization of AI within management. This collaborative discussion aimed to inspire collective insights into the future of management.

Final Insights

In closing comments, Mento's CEO, Kenji Kimura emphasized the day’s success in addressing crucial questions about AI in the management space. He reflected on the emotional impact of the award speeches, wherein many in attendance were moved to tears by the authentic, relatable stories of struggle and transformation.

Kimura reiterated his commitment to enhancing Japan’s subjective well-being through management innovation and coaching, aspiring to make these values the core of Mento’s endeavors. The summit underscored a collective resolve to elevate management practices in Japan as they adapt to an increasingly AI-influenced landscape.

About Mento

Mento Inc. is dedicated to providing a management success platform that addresses the challenges faced by middle management. Its innovative coaching solutions and AI tools are designed to support organizational transformation and operational excellence. For further details, visit Mento's official website.