[Business Answers in Buddhism] Business Novel Addressing '7 Blind Spots' by Consultant-Monk Released

Gakken Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo; President: Tatsuya Nanjo), a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd., released 'If Buddha was the President of a Collapsing Company: The Story of How an Ordinary Salaryman who Loves Ramen Became a Billionaire in 7 Years' (Author: Koichiro Shimizu) on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

This book explains the '7 blind spots' that people often fall into in business and how to escape them based on Buddhist teachings passed down for 2,500 years, told through an engaging narrative.

The author, Koichiro Shimizu (Dharma name: Kotoku), became a Buddhist monk and management coach after a career as a foreign-affiliated consultant. He has mentored over 80,000 students through his management schools. This book deeply reflects his own experiences of suffering through a 200 million yen deficit, financial struggles, and broken relationships during his early entrepreneurial days.

● The answers to business were already written in Buddhism.
Causes of failure in business are often consistent: money, relationships, health. While these seem like separate issues, Buddhism provides the essence and hints for their solutions. The protagonist, Ichiro, a former salaryman who just started a business, faces the essence of management through encounters with his friend Shohei and a chief priest who leads management based on Buddhism. The story illustrates the path out of 'suffering business' caused by the 7 blind spots.

● A book born from 'the reality of management,' not mere theory.
This book depicts 'unsuccessful reality' rather than flashy success:
- Anxiety over cash flow
- The pain of employees leaving
- Lonely decision-making
- The feeling of not being rewarded despite hard work
It shows a 'fundamental way of facing' these daily challenges beyond simple mentalism or techniques.

[Author Profile]
Koichiro Shimizu: CEO of Learning Edge Co., Ltd. Official columnist for Forbes JAPAN. A monk with the Dharma name 'Kotoku.' After graduating from Keio University, he worked at Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting before starting his own company. His school has reached over 80,000 students, integrating Western philosophy, Eastern thought, and modern management.