Jul 04, 2024
Mr. KONO Taro, Member of the House of Representatives, Lectures in the “International Business” Class
OBJECTIVE.
On June 28, 2024, we had the honor of inviting Mr. KONO Taro, a member of the House of Representatives and the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, to be a guest speaker in the “International Business” class (1:25 PM-3:05 PM). This marks the third time that we have had the pleasure of hosting him at the College of Business.
“International Business” is a course for second-year students in the College of Business during the spring semester, typically conducted online. However, this time, we invited Mr.Kono to deliver an in-person lecture in Tucker Hall on the Ikebukuro campus using a HyFlex format, combining both face-to-face and online learning.
As the Digital Minister, Mr. Kono has been at the forefront of promoting the digitalization of systems for Japanese companies and administrative organizations. During the lecture, he spoke about how digital transformation can change business practices both in Japan and internationally, as well as its broader societal implications.
After his talk, he engaged in an interactive session by selecting and answering some of the over 200 questions prepared in advance by the students and also responded to spontaneous questions from the students in the venue, creating a highly engaging and interactive experience.
For example, when discussing the meaning of learning English, he emphasized the importance of acquiring the ability to conduct business in English. He referenced the words of Mr. ISOMURA Hisanori, a former NHK newscaster, saying, “English should be as cultured, and French should be as practical.”
Additionally, Mr. Kono highlighted the importance of studying abroad or gaining experience in foreign towns that few have visited. His insights strongly supported and endorsed the“Learning in English” education that the COB prioritizes.
After the lecture, President NISHIHARA Renta of Rikkyo University gave a closing address.
As the Digital Minister, Mr. Kono has been at the forefront of promoting the digitalization of systems for Japanese companies and administrative organizations. During the lecture, he spoke about how digital transformation can change business practices both in Japan and internationally, as well as its broader societal implications.
After his talk, he engaged in an interactive session by selecting and answering some of the over 200 questions prepared in advance by the students and also responded to spontaneous questions from the students in the venue, creating a highly engaging and interactive experience.
For example, when discussing the meaning of learning English, he emphasized the importance of acquiring the ability to conduct business in English. He referenced the words of Mr. ISOMURA Hisanori, a former NHK newscaster, saying, “English should be as cultured, and French should be as practical.”
Additionally, Mr. Kono highlighted the importance of studying abroad or gaining experience in foreign towns that few have visited. His insights strongly supported and endorsed the“Learning in English” education that the COB prioritizes.
After the lecture, President NISHIHARA Renta of Rikkyo University gave a closing address.
Comment from Assistant Professor Abu-Dari
As a faculty member of the “International Business” course, I thought about how students could effectively understand and experience the concept of “international” both theoretically and practically. To enhance their learning, I asked Mr. Kono, who has extensive international experience, to give a lecture at the College of Business. He gladly accepted my offer, saying, “I'm happy to talk.” I believe that Mr. Kono’s speech will be unforgettable for the students. I hope they will use this inspiration in their future international business endeavors and continue to appreciate Mr. Kono for providing this valuable experience.
Comment from Professor Okamoto, Dean of the Department of Global Business
As the Dean of the Department of Global Business, I had the privilege of inviting and hosting Minister Kono, thanks to an introduction by Assistant Professor Abu-Dari. While I listened with great interest to the various topics he discussed, I noticed his consistent message throughout the lecture: “See with your own eyes and experience directly not only domestic but also international circumstances.” I hope that students studying “International Business” will take this message to heart and leverage this experience for their future learning.
