Businesses have always operated under some degree of uncertainty – but the current level is both extraordinary and unprecedented. The geoeconomic landscape is increasingly complex, and even in the early months of this year, new policies introduced under the U.S. administration – especially those concerning tariffs – have presented significant challenges to Japanese corporations across various sectors.
This seminar, held in conjunction with the course Asia’s Geoeconomic Landscapes I, explores these dynamics from a business perspective using a scenario analysis methodology. We are honored to host Azusa Owa, Partner 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, June 23, 2025 | 10:25-12:10
Venue
Lecture Hall B, 4th floor, International Academic Research Building, Hongo Campus
Language
English
Registration
Please register here.
Agenda
Opening and introduction – Michio Ueda, Visiting Lecturer
Geoeconomic challenges and strategic solutions – Azusa Owa
• The role of management consulting
• Key challenges facing Japanese companies amid uncertainty – Global and Asian perspectives
• Strategic solutions – Potential of scenario-based thinking
• Case studies
• Looking ahead – The future of the business environment
Discussion and Q&A – Moderated by Michio Ueda, joined by Prof. Toshiro Nishizawa, College of Design Development Team
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.
About Bain & Company
Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world’s most ambitious change makers define the future.
Across 65 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
Michio Ueda | michio-ueda<at>g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Please replace <at> with @.