Students and Alumni
Kyoji Dantani, Class of 2005, Manager, Dai Nippon Inc.
Nikkei Net Interview
Recently, Nikkei Net interviewed Kyoji Dantani (Class of 2005) who is currently in the second year of the MBA program. Dantani has a background in engineering and is now a manager at Dai Nippon Inc.
(The original interview is available, in Japanese only, at Nikkei Net Website.)
Tell us about your background.
I received an MS degree in instrumentation engineering from Keio University in 1988 and then joined Dai Nippon Printing. Initially I was in R&D. I was then transferred to New York and only returned to Japan in 2000.
Why were you interested in earning an MBA?
I had been thinking about getting an MBA degree since I was in my 20s. When I was in the U.S., I became more motivated to do so by the American businesspeople I met - I was inspired by their broad point of view and their ambition. I was too busy to take any action while in the U.S., but I became more determined to get an MBA after I came back to Japan.
Why did you choose TUJ's MBA?
I only looked at U.S. and other foreign MBA programs offered in Japan because a) I didn't want to leave my job; b) I wanted to study in English; and c) I wanted to study in an international atmosphere.
I was accepted by several schools offering non-Japanese MBAs, but I chose TUJ for its small classes, its history, its faculty, its courses and for the reputation of its program. I also felt that the program's Saturday-only classes would enable me to work and study concurrently.
How did you prepare for your application?
For the GMAT, I took some courses at a preparatory school. I also practiced with a workbook. And I sought out tips of any kind that could help me solve problems more efficiently.
Did your expectations of the program change after you entered it?
Never did I think that I would be so busy. I always feel like I'm behind schedule. I can only take a slight break after work before I must tackle the many assignments from my classes at TUJ. However, I'm managing thanks to help from my classmates. Other than the workload, I am impressed by the diversity of students. Our backgrounds vary greatly by nationality, undergraduate major, and age. But I feel fulfilled in my professional and private life since I began studying with my classmates. We sometimes go for a drink after class and occasionally play golf.
What do you think is the best feature of TUJ's MBA program?
What appeals to me most is the opportunity to get to know how non-Japanese faculty and students think, and to understand the logic behind their thinking. TUJ's international environment makes this happen.
Are you confident that you can apply what you've learned to your work?
I have no doubt that I possess a deeper knowledge of subjects that previously I understood only slightly. For example, I had only a passing familiarity of accounting. Now I am much more careful about time management and in looking for better solutions.
My studies are also proving useful for project management. TUJ's MBA classes usually assign work to small groups of two to three students each. Completing the work requires good communications skills to clarify group members' individual roles. You have to be able to explain issues logically, and you have to always think about efficiency. I feel this kind of experience helps me to better manage projects at work.
Does an MBA from TUJ offer a good return on investment?
I think I will figure that out later. At the moment, I am just satisfied with what I am doing and with what I have studied. I admit that 4.4 million yen is a large sum of money. But if you only thought about the MBA in those terms it would be difficult for you to move on. You have to be strong enough to create ROI by yourself. For now, I am thankful that my job enables me to apply what I have learned through TUJ's MBA program. It would be a waste if you don't have the opportunity to put theory into practice.
Please tell us something of your career goals.
I hope to work on M&As or joint ventures, to expand business opportunities through the acquisition of not just Japanese companies but also companies abroad. The business world requires quick decisions, so it is increasingly important to actively pursue and assimilate other companies' know-how. And once you've acquired a company, you will be challenged to manage a new and enlarged organization. Should I realize my ambition, I am sure I will make great use of the knowledge I obtained in Temple's MBA program.
