Donor’s Message

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.
Kishioka_1x1Mr. 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.


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