In Newsletter No. 6 of last fall, we reported the messages from several donors. In the current issue we are pleased to deliver a message received from Mr. Shunichiro Kishioka, a member of the FUTI Advisory Committee.
Mr. Shunichiro Kishioka
Chairman, ITA, Inc.
Advisor, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago
Member of the Board, Member of Executive Committee, and Governor of The Japan America Society of Chicago
Honorary Chairman, Chicago Akamon-Kai
University of Tokyo, Law Faculty, Class of 1964
I had the honor of joining FUTI’s Advisory Committee upon the recommendation of Mr. Sakurai and Mr. Masuda. During my trading company (“Shosh”) days, I established various business units, and have since collaborated with several Japanese corporations in the U.S. to found a number of new companies, where I served as a CEO or consultant.,
While I have noticed that a large number of students from other Japanese universities come to Chicago, and some of them work as interns for my own company, I am sad to note that the number of UTokyo students who visit this city is small.
Chicago Akamon-kai, the UTokyo alumni association here, is composed mostly of businessmen and students studying at local universities. Because of this make-up, its members are by and large very pragmatic. Yet, we often find ourselves engaged in a lively argument on current topics. We also have illustrious pioneers in their chosen fields, like Dr. Yoichiro Nambu, Professor emeritus of the University of Chicago and Nobel Laureate.
The German philosopher Nietzsche once remarked, “You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.” I believe this statement is relevant for those who explore various boundaries of the business world as well as for those who start a new business. Among Americans we often find people who are not constrained within rigid frameworks, with much diversity in their perspectives and cuts (points of view). I wish that more young people of Japan will become resilient and widen their perspectives by experiencing debates with such people, sometimes even by losing an argument. Thus, I sincerely hope that more people will join our effort to support such students.
Articles in this newsletter:
- Dr. Kuwama Elected as Treasurer and Director
- Selection of 2013 Summer Scholarship Recipients Begins
- Fundraising Campaign Continues: Interim Report and Reminder
- Donor’s Message
- UTokyo and Princeton Establish Strategic Partnership
- FUTI Director Professor Koichi Hamada Appointed as Special Advisor to the Abe Cabinet
- FUTI President Kobayashi Receives the C&C Prize
- Dr. Kurokawa Lectures on Investigation of Fukushima Nuclear Accident
- Chicago Akamonkai’s Year-End Party
- The 2013 Annual Meeting of SF Akamonkai Held
- NY Ichokai’s 12th Annual Reception Held
- The Ito International Research Center Awaits You!
- Book Review:"America Knows that Japan’s Economy Will Revive" (in Japanese)
- Book Review: Takeo Hoshi & Anil K. Kashyap: "Why Did Japan Stop Growing–Policy Options for Japan’s Revival" (in Japanese)
- February 2013 Special Issue of Journal “Mathematical Seminar” (in Japanese) in Honor of Shoshichi Kobayashi