New President of Management Academy Appointed: Prof. Yaichi Aoshima Takes Charge

New Leadership at the Management Academy

The Management Academy of the Japan Productivity Center, located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has officially appointed Prof. Yaichi Aoshima as its 9th president. This transition follows the completion of the term by former president Mikihide Numakami, who served as a professor at the Waseda University Institute of Business and Finance. Prof. Aoshima's term will formally start on April 1, 2026.

Prof. Aoshima boasts an extensive career in research and education. Currently, he serves as a professor and director of the Innovation Research Center at Hitotsubashi University and has held leadership roles within various academic organizations, including serving as president of the Organizational Society.

The Management Academy will celebrate its 60th anniversary in the fiscal year 2025. Under Prof. Aoshima’s leadership, the academy aims to continue nurturing innovative business leaders, building upon the foundation of industry-academia collaboration established since its inception.

To mark this pivotal moment, a commemorative lecture will be held on April 24, 2026, from 2 PM to 4 PM, bringing together key figures in the business and educational sectors.

About Prof. Yaichi Aoshima

Educational Background

- Graduated from Hitotsubashi University Faculty of Commerce in 1987
- Completed his master’s degree at Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of Commerce in 1989
- Earned his MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management in 1996

Career Highlights

- Assistant Professor at Hitotsubashi University Innovation Research Center (1999-2007)
- Associate Professor at Hitotsubashi University Innovation Research Center (2007-2012)
- Professor at Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of Commerce (2012-2018)
- Director of the Hitotsubashi University Innovation Research Center (2018-present)
- Current Professor at Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of Management

Awards and Recognition

- 2012: 64th Nikkei Economic Book Cultural Award
- 2020: 60th Economist Award
- 2020: Research Innovation Society Paper Award

Details of the Commemorative Lecture

Purpose

The Management Academy has been pivotal in developing managerial talent essential for the sustained growth of Japanese enterprises since its establishment in 1965. The upcoming lecture is designed to explore the competencies of future business leaders and the evolving concept of leadership in today's rapidly changing corporate landscape.

Aoshima's lecture will address the necessary perspectives and practical insights for Japanese firms to achieve sustained growth amid a transforming business environment. A dialogue with former INCJ (Innovation Network Corporation of Japan) chairman Toshiyuki Shiga is also scheduled, creating a rich forum for discussion among industry experts.

Event Overview

- Date: April 24, 2026, from 2 PM to 4 PM (networking reception until 5 PM)
- Audience: Stakeholders from the Japan Productivity Center, faculty, corporate partners, alumni, and other guests
- Venue: Japan Industrial Club, 2nd Floor Conference Hall, Marunouchi, Tokyo
- Access: 2-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station Marunouchi North Exit
- Format: On-site participation; free of charge with prior registration
- Agenda:

- 2:00 PM: Opening remarks by Japan Productivity Center President Yoshimitsu Kobayashi
- 2:05 PM: Introduction of the new president
- 2:10 PM: Commemorative lecture titled “The Role of Managers in Driving Corporate Growth” by Prof. Yaichi Aoshima
- 3:10 PM: Dialogue session with former INCJ Chairman Toshiyuki Shiga
- 4:00 PM: Conclusion
- 4:00 PM: Networking reception

Registration: Available at: Registration Form

About the Management Academy

The Management Academy is one of Japan's first business schools, founded in 1965 as part of the Japan Productivity Center’s 10th-anniversary celebrations. For over 60 years, it has received support from various industries and has graduated approximately 16,000 individuals who have gone on to become leaders in their fields. The academy continues to attract participants who are ready to learn from its prestigious management training programs and who benefit from an extensive alumni network.

Past Presidents of the Management Academy