Topics & Events

On November 26th, 2021, JICA Ukraine Office in close cooperation with the Technical University of Moldova (UTM), conducted a multidisciplinary seminar on the development of Japanese economy and business.

The event was hosted by UTM Faculty of Economic Engineering and Business and moderated by Dr Rafael Ciloci, the Dean of the Faculty, Associate Professor, Doctor of Economic Science, and the Resident Representative of JICA Ukraine office, Mr. Satoshi Sugimoto. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Gaku Funabashi, Associate Professor of the International University of Japan and Senior Advisor to JICA. More than 100 UTM students from different departments and academic staff in the Faculty participated in the seminar.

The floor was taken over by Dr. Ciloci for an opening speech and he congratulated the actual opportunity of the lecture and express the expectation for enhancing academic cooperation between Moldova and Japan. Afterwards, Mr. Sugimoto made a brief introduction of JICA activities in Moldova and its concept of cooperation in the academic area.

After the introduction, Dr. Funabashi made his presentation on specifics of economic growth and Japanese management, explained the characteristics of some industries which Japanese enterprises developed in the past, and how the Japanese management fits some industries and helps them to develop. During Dr. Funabashi's lecture, he also showed some part of the video lecture titled "Economic Growth and Japanese Management" narrated by Dr. Hiroyuki Itami, President, the International University of Japan (It is one of the seven chapters of video education program developed by JICA). Dr. Funabashi described the Japanese approach to conducting business and management, that helped Japan to recover from the devastating consequences of WWII and become one of the world's leading economies. Dr. Funabashi explained the role of the private sector based on relatively unique Japanese corporate systems and management principles. He introduced several key concepts, such as "employee sovereignty", "diffused sharing" and "peoplism corporate system" etc., with social and historic background, which motivate employees to work for long-term interests of their company and for their own better future. He concluded his lecture with the message that "Japanese management fits with 3 characteristics of technology; "Comprehensiveness", "Progressivity" and Coordination necessity".

Dr. Rafael Ciloci from UTM gave a short comment regarding the lecture. He underlined, that the presentation was very informative and holistic and that Japanese experience is much interesting for the students of the UTM Faculty of Economic Engineering and Business that have a lot more to discover and learn from such experience.

The presentation component was followed by a dynamic discussion, during which Moldovan counterparts asked questions about specifics of Japanese management and others.

All participants agreed that the event was a great starting point and are looking forward to the next seminars and other joint activities. JICA Ukraine office will continue working towards continuing cooperation with UTM and establishing new partnerships with other reputable academic institutions in Moldova.

Please visit the JICA Chair page for more information on JICA Program for Japanese Studies:

• JICA Chair (JICA Program for Japanese Studies)