Campus in Bloom as Spring 2025 Semester Sprouts

As the Spring 2025 semester begins at NUCB Business School, students from around the world are diving into foundational MBA and MSc courses with the same energy and renewal that spring brings to Japan. This season, coinciding with the Year of the Snake, symbolizes transformation and growth — themes that resonate throughout the academic journey. Just as cherry blossoms bloom and fade, students will embrace change and innovation, laying the foundation for their future leadership roles.

• In Strategic Thinking, Professor Yuji Nagasawa challenged students to analyze the global success of Nintendo’s Famicom. Using a Harvard case study, students explored how Nintendo’s unique internal resources and strategic decisions propelled it ahead of competitors, sparking debate around first-mover advantage, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
• MBA Essentials, taught by Professor Hiroshi Uchikoga, provided a solid introduction to leadership and organizational behavior. The class revolved around IDEO's approach to innovation and service design, prompting students to evaluate whether the company's organizational culture could support diversification into new service areas.
• In Managing Knowledge in Organizations, Professor Eddie Law led a thought-provoking session on how organizations capture and share knowledge. Students discussed the tension between structured systems and informal knowledge-sharing, and how leaders can create a culture that fosters organizational learning and memory in fast-moving industries.
• Students in Tax Law, under the guidance of Professor Nobuyuki Nakamura, began by comparing global tax systems and learning how international tax treaties, corporate residency, and withholding taxes impact business operations. The course sets the stage for a deeper understanding of how tax law intersects with strategic decision-making in multinational enterprises.

The semester is off to a promising start, with students already immersed in active learning and cross-cultural exchange. These first sessions highlight NUCB Business School’s commitment to delivering a rigorous, case-based education that prepares students to lead with insight and purpose.