Businesses have continuously operated under some degree of uncertainty, but the current level is both extraordinary and unprecedented. The geoeconomic landscape becomes increasingly complex, and even in the early months of this year, new policies introduced under the U.S. administration – especially those concerning trade and investment – have presented significant challenges to Japanese corporations across various sectors.
This seminar, as a special launching session of the course Asia’s Geoeconomic Landscapes II (5123264-1), explores these dynamics from a business perspective using a scenario analysis and business strategy planning exercise. We are honored to host Azusa Owa and Sho Ikeno, Partners at Bain & Company (Tokyo Office), who will share insights from the front lines of management consulting. The session will explore current geoeconomic challenges, strategic responses from a consulting perspective, and the future direction of business strategy in Asia.
Date & time
Monday, October 6, 2025 | 10:25-12:10
Venue
Lecture Hall B, 4th floor, International Academic Research Building, Hongo Campus
Language
English
Agenda
Opening – Michio Ueda, visiting lecturer
Geoeconomic challenges and strategic solutions – Azusa Owa and Sho Ikeno, guest speakers
- The role of management consulting
- Key challenges facing Japanese companies amid uncertainty – Global and Asian perspectives
- Strategic solutions – Potential of scenario-based thinking
Discussion and Q&A, moderated by Michio Ueda, joined by Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa
Course introduction of Asia’s Geoeconomic Landscapes II
- Course objectives and learning approach
- Consulting assignments and course schedule
Registration
Please register here.
About Asia’s Geoeconomic Landscapes II (5123264-1)
This course has three objectives. First, it helps students deepen their understanding of Asia’s current geoeconomic landscape from a business perspective. Second, it familiarizes students with scenario analysis and planning in business strategy formulation. Third, it acquaints students with corporate strategy development through a hypothesis-driven approach. Once achieved, the three objectives will inspire students to reflect on the public policy implications of addressing Asia’s geoeconomic challenges that face business stakeholders.
As a practical training course with an active learning approach, students work in teams under the instructors’ guidance. Their deliverables are reviewed by and submitted to the client, Bain & Company, as if the students were running a real-world consulting project. The consulting assignment is to produce a report to assist a semi-fictional Japanese company in developing a business strategy under given scenarios in Asia’s geoeconomic reality.
About the speaker
Azusa Owa, Partner, Bain & Company
Azusa Owa is a member of our Private Equity practice. She has extensive consulting experience across a range of industries and business topics in Japan, the United States, and Australia. Azusa graduated with a master’s degree in international education policy from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in education from International Christian University. She earned her MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, double-majoring to earn a Master of International Studies (in Mandarin Chinese) from the university’s Lauder Institute.
Sho Ikeno, Partner, Bain & Company
Sho Ikeno is an expert in Bain’s Technology, Financial Services, and Strategy practices. He has more than 15 years of consulting experience, primarily within the retail and consumer products industries. He advises clients on topics ranging from corporate and growth strategy to company transformation. He is a recipient of Bain & Company’s Bright-Dix Memorial Award, which annually recognizes an individual’s outstanding contribution to the professional development of others. Sho graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Latin American studies from the University of Tokyo.
About Bain & Company
“We’re a global consultancy that helps the world’s most ambitious change makers define the future. Across 67 cities in 40 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today’s urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. We earned a platinum rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social, and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains, putting us in the top 1% of all companies. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry.”
For inquiry
Toshiro Nishizawa | tnishizawa<at>g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Michio Ueda | michio-ueda<at>g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Please replace <at> with @.