#Japan #Tokyo #Kenichi Ohmae #BBT University #RTOCS

Introduction

A significant new publication is set to grace the shelves on November 6, 2025. Legendary management consultant Kenichi Ohmae, who serves as the president of Business Breakthrough University (BBT University), is releasing his latest book titled RTOCS: Techniques for Empathetic Thinking. This book explores key theoretical aspects of RTOCS (Real-Time Online Case Study), which plays a crucial role in BBT University's curriculum.

In this age where AI technology has advanced to the point where answers to questions are just a click away, the essence of critical thinking remains vital. Ohmae's new book challenges readers to engage with fundamental skills like formulating questions, deducing optimal solutions, and honing analytical abilities, skills that are irreplaceable even in an AI-dominated landscape.

What is RTOCS?

RTOCS stands for Real-Time Online Case Study, an innovative learning technique designed to develop logical decision-making skills by examining real business issues from multiple viewpoints within a time-constrained framework. Recognized for its practical relevance, RTOCS is more than just a method for accumulating knowledge; instead, it emphasizes decision-making training that directly correlates with real-world operations. Every student at BBT University undergoes rigorous training through RTOCS, boosting their practical thinking, conceptualization, and judgment skills—abilities that AI and algorithms cannot replicate.

Overview of the Book

Within the pages of this insightful book, readers will explore how to amplify their questioning abilities in a world where AI quickly offers answers. This work reconfigures more than 20 years of case study training—practiced at BBT University—into a framework accessible to the broader public. It invites readers to consider diverse perspectives through hypothetical scenarios, spurring creative thinking and strategic judgment.

In his prologue, Ohmae emphasizes the need to cultivate imaginative and conceptual abilities to ensure that jobs are not eclipsed by evolving AI. He states, 'To avoid being overtaken by ever-evolving AI, we must develop conceptual and imaginative abilities that facilitate creating something from nothing—as a foundation, we need robust thinking skills.'

Exciting exercises throughout the book prompt readers to ask, 'What if I were the CEO of Nippon Steel? What if I were the Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture?' - engaging them to adapt various roles and craft their unique strategies.

Commentary from the Editor

According to the editor's notes, BBT University has been practicing RTOCS for over two decades, with intensive weekly case studies totaling 100 sessions every two years. Many students engage with RTOCS while managing their day jobs, and numerous reports exist of alumni seeing salary and position advancements after graduation. This consistent ‘what-if’ training helps develop a mindset capable of making relevant decisions when the time comes to lead companies or even establish their ventures.

This book promises to encapsulate the essence of Ohmae's unique thinking training, potentially transforming lives and careers.

Expected Outcomes

The book aims to cultivate three core abilities:

1. Thinking Skills: The capacity to question existing answers and reassess one's inquiries.
2. Creative Abilities: The power to perceive ideas from an outsider's perspective and build diverse conceptual frameworks.
3. Judgment Skills: The ability for humans to make the final decision, collaborating with AI effectively.

These skills are crucial in various domains including corporate management, public policies, education, and personal career growth. As uncertainty in society increases, this book is positioned as a practical training guide for future thinkers.

Features of the Book

• - Comprehensive Overview of RTOCS: Offers a frame of reference to foster both empathy and creative thinking simultaneously.
• - Practical Case Studies: Collects scenarios derived from current events and business challenges addressing them from the reader's point of view.
• - Future HR Strategies: Insights into skill-based evaluation, freelance economy, and new working models.
• - AI Coexistence Planning: Evaluates the limitations of generative AI and suggests methods to enhance human thinking complementing AI capabilities.

Target Audience and Utilization

This book is particularly geared towards:

• - Executives and Business Leaders: Those seeking to enhance their decision-making abilities regarding complex management challenges.
• - Managers and HR Staff: Individuals responsible for structuring skill-based organizations and dual employment systems.
• - Public Policy and Education Professionals: Those in positions to shape reforms and solve societal issues.
• - General Learners: Individuals aiming to enhance their critical thinking skills in an AI-centric world.

Book Details

Title: RTOCS: Techniques for Empathetic Thinking
Author: Kenichi Ohmae (President of BBT University)
Specifications: 224 pages, softcover
Retail Price: 1,500 JPY (+ tax, total 1,650 JPY)
Release Date: November 6, 2025
Availability: Major bookstores and online platforms nationwide
Purchase Link

About the Author

Kenichi Ohmae serves as the president of BBT University. He earned his PhD in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has amassed significant insights from his experiences at Hitachi and McKinsey & Company. As a passionate advocate for nurturing the next generation of leaders, Ohmae continues to educate and empower individuals around the globe.

Aoba-BBT's Commitment to Action-Oriented Learning

Ohmae's RTOCS framework focuses on real-time business and social challenges, encouraging students to refine both their decision-making and proactive abilities through a unique learning method. Aoba-BBT integrates RTOCS systematically into its university curriculum, ensuring a reciprocal relationship between learning and application, thereby fostering the next generation of leaders.