by Takeshi Yamamoto
1. Introduction
My name is Takeshi Yamamoto, a recipient of the Hsun Kwei & Aiko Takizawa Chou Scholarship for the 2024 academic year. I completed my studies at the University of Michigan Law School in 2023 and earned my MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2025. I have since returned to Japan and am currently practicing as a lawyer in the Kansai region.
This invaluable experience in the U.S. would not have been possible without the support of the Hsun Kwei & Aiko Takizawa Chou Scholarship. I wish to express my profound gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Chou, and to all the members of FUTI.
This report will outline the key lessons I learned during my MBA studies at the University of Chicago, particularly from my practical experiences beyond the academic curriculum. Furthermore, it will detail my future aspirations and how I intend to apply these experiences to contribute to solving social issues in Japan.
2. Learning at the University of Chicago MBA: Practical Lesson from a Startup Endeavor
While pursuing my MBA, I participated in an IT startup seeking to address a significant social issue in Chicago: the challenges faced by immigrants. Our startup’s objective was to develop an IT platform to assist immigrants aspiring to settle in the U.S. by centralizing essential information, streamlining administrative procedures for work permits and visas, and facilitating smoother collaboration with legal professionals. My responsibilities extended beyond providing legal advice based on my professional background. I also contributed by negotiating with prospective partners such as Refugee One, establishing guidelines for personal information management, and formulating our financial strategy.
Regrettably, the venture did not achieve its ultimate objectives. Although we had a promising concept that addressed a tangible user need and had identified potential partners, we encountered several obstacles. Delays in product development with our partner and an adverse shift in the macro-environment—including policy changes and subsidy reductions for immigrants following a new U.S. presidential administration—impeded our progress. Consequently, as we were unable to establish a clear path to monetization, we could not secure funding from venture capital (VC).
I frequently engaged in discussions with leaders at Refugee One, a well-known NPO in Chicago. Their words left a strong impression on me: “Addressing the immigration problem is complex due to the multitude of stakeholders involved, yet there is a lack of a central figure to orchestrate these negotiations. Assisting immigrants on a case-by-case basis does not resolve the fundamental issues.” It became clear that collaboration with local Chicago politicians and social welfare NPOs was imperative. As a minority in the U.S. myself, I became acutely aware of our lack of such networks. Through this experience, I gained a profound understanding of the critical importance for a social-impact startup to cultivate and maintain its ecosystem. This ecosystem comprises not only VCs but also a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including government agencies and local politicians. I came to fully appreciate the complexities of lobbying, fundraising, and the necessity of crafting a compelling narrative to persuade relevant parties. This was a practical lesson in effecting social change from a minority perspective—an insight I would not have otherwise gained solely by practicing law in Japan.
3. Future Goals: Establishing an Ecosystem to Support Foreign Entrepreneurs in Japan
Japan is confronting multifaceted issues, including demographic shifts, economic stagnation, and the imperative to globalize. In this context, startups are pivotal in creating agile and innovative solutions.
Concurrent with the growth in inbound tourism and business, the number of foreign entrepreneurs in Japan is on the rise. They originate from diverse backgrounds; some have academic experience in Japan, others have worked for Japanese corporations, and a growing number come to Japan with the express purpose of launching a business. According to statistics from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (as of December 2024), the number of foreign nationals in the Kansai region with “Business Manager” status of residence has reached approximately 9,472, an 18% increase from the previous year, a trend that is projected to continue.
Given my background in both law and business in the U.S., combined with my experience of engaging in a startup as a minority, I am convinced that my most meaningful contribution to Japanese society can be made by supporting foreign entrepreneurs, who constitute another minority group within Japan.
In the Kansai region, my professional base, the number of foreign entrepreneurs is increasing, partly due to initiatives by local governments. A local government, for instance, has established a support desk for foreign entrepreneurs. However, a comprehensive, one-stop legal support framework for the challenges they face is currently lacking.
My experience in Chicago taught me that the legal support startups require extends beyond conventional legal advice; it must be intrinsically integrated with their business strategy. For instance, when an entrepreneur ventures into a regulated industry, a lawyer should assume a proactive role in devising strategies to engage stakeholders and navigate the complex process of obtaining regulatory approvals, providing support through to execution. There is significant value in a lawyer’s role to elucidate the nuances of the Japanese business environment and objectives of laws and regulations, and to collaboratively devise solutions with foreign entrepreneurs.
My ambition is to become a leading expert in startup law in the Kansai region and to spearhead the establishment of a “Legal Strategy Hub for Foreign Entrepreneurs.”
Specifically, I aim to form partnerships with municipal governments such as Osaka and Kobe, and with academic institutions including Osaka University and Kyoto University. By establishing a function within their existing hubs to deliver integrated legal and consulting services, I aspire to serve as a bridge between the business and legal sectors. (This concept is inspired by the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center, an entrepreneurial ecosystem where local law firms provide a broad array of consulting services that transcend traditional legal support.)
Since my return to Japan, my legal practice has frequently involved advising both Japanese companies on their global expansion and their foreign employees. I have observed that the rules and standards set by Japanese entities or government can be opaque to foreign nationals. It is crucial for a lawyer to articulate the underlying business objectives and the intent of laws and regulations, and to clarify future strategies. My MBA studies honed my ability to resolve complex situations by explaining rules and considering diverse stakeholder perspectives. Drawing upon my education in the U.S. and my experience with a startup as a minority, I am determined to contribute to the advancement of Japanese society by supporting foreign entrepreneurs.
Acknowledgements
Three years ago, I arrived in the U.S. as a junior lawyer. The development of this awareness and these ambitious goals would not have been possible without the unwavering support of Hsun Kwei & Aiko Takizawa Chou, and all the members of FUTI.
I am committed to leveraging the invaluable opportunity you have provided for the future of Japan. Thank you once again for your extraordinary support.
