From April 29 to May 4, Tsinghua IMBA students were in Tokyo, Japan as part of the school’s 2009 Tsinghua MBA On the Road study trip. Along with twelve student participants from the International MBA program, Professor Di Ruipeng and IMBA Associate Director Ms. Xie Qihong also took part in this trip.Kenji Matsubayashi and Tomokazu Numa of IMBA Class of 2010 and 2009 respectively spearheaded the study trip. The trip was sponsored by Mitsubishi Corporation and the Japan Management Association.

Aside from promoting cultural learning and exchange, the study trip allowed students to learn in depth about the innovative and unique Japanese business environment. With Japan being in the forefront of sustainable technology development, it was the goal for students to learn about these developments and consider how it may be applied in the China context. In return, the students also prepared presentations and research information relating to China catered to the industries of each respective host company.

Tsinghua IMBA delegation was graciously hosted by a number of top Japanese companies including Mitsubishi Corporation (Human Research Development Research Center, Corporate Strategy and Research Department, Emissions Reduction Business Unit), Mitsubishi Motors, Tokyo Gas, Lawson Inc., Yamada Denki Co. Ltd., Panasonic, Toyota, and Tokyo Broadcast Station. Highlights are from the meetings include test-riding on Mitsubishi’s next generation electric vehicle iMiEV, visiting Panasonic’s concept zero carbon-emissions Eco-house, and viewing a live television broadcast at the new Tokyo Broadcast Station headquarters at Akasaka Sacas.

The delegation also met with representatives from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism (MLIT). The representatives from METI and MLIT include Ms. Reiko FUJITA, Director of the Global Environment Policy Office, and Mr. Nobuhiko WATANABE, Deputy Director of the Industrial Science, Technology Policy and Environmental Bureau. From the presentations the students learned about initiatives taken by the ministries to reduce carbon emissions and promote green technology in Japan.

To promote goodwill and establish cross-cultural relationships with their Japanese counterparts, the delegation also visited Waseda University and Hitotsubashi University, home of two of the leading MBA programs in Japan. At Waseda, the Tsinghua team was personally received by Dr. Masataka OTA, Vice-President of the University. Following presentations and a tour of the campus, the MBA students from both schools mingled over dinner at the University. At Hitotsubashi, Professor Christina AHMADJIAN, Associate Dean of the Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy, organized a “TGIF night” at their campus building welcoming the Tsinghua students to Japan. Over 30 students and representatives from the program were present to meet with the Tsinghua students.

“I was impressed by how self-disciplined and innovative (the people in Japan) are”, commented NIU Jingjing, a Tsinghua IMBA student traveling to Japan for the first time. “Everyone was so kind and helpful, despite the fact that we may only meet once in our lifetime.This trip has made a lasting impression on me and I will definitely visit Japan again sometime in the near future.”

(Special Thanks to MBA Center)