Seminar on 'Campus & Office Reform' to Enhance University Competitiveness Featuring Amazon Japan and Kokuyo

Amid a declining birthrate, university campus development is undergoing significant transformation.

Beyond simply replacing aging buildings, universities are now focusing on how to design the very spaces for learning and research—through faculty restructuring, regional collaboration, and creating vibrant student exchange areas—making this a central theme in their competitive strategies.

In response, the Advanced Education Organization (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Higashi Hideya; publisher of the monthly magazine 'Advanced Education') will host the seminar 'Enhancing University Competitiveness: Campus & Office Reform' on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at its Tokyo campus.

University campus planning is now shifting dramatically. Beyond rebuilding outdated facilities, institutions are rethinking faculties, strengthening regional ties, and creating spaces where students gather—transforming the core of 'where learning and research happen' into a strategic priority. Indeed, many universities are now launching large-scale campus redevelopment projects aligned with anniversary initiatives. Underpinning this shift is the concept of 'strategic redesign of campus and office spaces.'

This seminar, organized by the monthly magazine 'Advanced Education,' will deliver a specialized program focused on campus and office reform under the theme of enhancing university competitiveness. We will invite leading experts in campus design to share cutting-edge case studies and practical insights. The event will serve as a hands-on forum for universities to rethink their next steps—from facility reform to rebuilding their overall management strategy.

Speakers include Professor Naoko Saio from the Tokyo University of Science, representatives from Kokuyo Co., Ltd., Amazon Japan G.K., and Professor Reiji Aihara, Special Appointed Professor at Hiroshima University. They will present perspectives and actionable steps to accelerate university competitiveness from both spatial and operational angles.

Participants will take away:

- The latest trends in campus planning and design philosophies that integrate with local communities and cities - Practical insights into reforming administrative offices and workplace environments to enhance staff well-being and become a 'university of choice' - Practical approaches to converting operational efficiency—such as procurement reform and DX implementation—into competitive advantage

Event Overview

**Title**: Enhancing University Competitiveness: Campus & Office Reform

**Date & Time**: Thursday, June 25, 2026, 13:00–17:00 (Registration from 12:30)

**Format**: In-person event

**Venue**: Basement Seminar Room, Tokyo Campus, Advanced Education Organization (3-13-16 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)

**Fee**: Free (Pre-registration required)

▼ Details & Registration

https://info.sentankyo.ac.jp/campusrevolution_0625

Target Audience

- University executives and administrative staff involved in facility and operational reform - Managers and responsible personnel from university planning, facilities, general affairs, and finance departments

Speakers & Session Details (Partial program; full schedule on website)

※ Listed in speaking order

### Building Campuses Like Cities —Trends in University Campus Planning—

Professor Naoko Saio, Department of Architecture, School of Environmental and Social Sciences, Tokyo University of Science

A university campus can be seen as a microcosm of a city. With land areas ranging from several to dozens of hectares and populations of hundreds to thousands of students, campuses have historically collaborated with their host cities across land use, landscape, energy, living environments, and vibrancy. Today, I will explore the evolution toward building campuses 'like cities' in harmony with local communities, offering insights from the fields of architecture and urban planning.

### From 'Desirable Workplace' to 'University of Choice' — Why Staff Well-being Matters Now

Mr. Satoshi Yashiki, Marketing Group, Marketing Department, TCM Division, Japan Headquarters, Global Workplace Business Unit, Kokuyo Co., Ltd.

Kokuyo aims to enhance 'learning, working, and living' through better spaces. In this seminar, we focus on staff well-being as the foundation for becoming a university that students choose. We will explain how office environments that resolve organizational stagnation and promote communication and efficiency can support autonomous work styles. We will share practical insights and the latest case studies.

Ms. Miya Hashizume, Education Group, Education & Medical Sales Department, TCM Division, Japan Headquarters, Global Workplace Business Unit, Kokuyo Co., Ltd.

### Procurement-Led Competitiveness Reform in University Offices

Mr. Shinichiro Fukatsu, Head of Public Sector Sales, Amazon Business Division, Amazon Japan G.K.

Overflowing paperwork, manual receipt checks, and labor-intensive reconciliation—inefficiencies long accepted as 'normal' in university offices continue to drain staff time and pressure resources meant for education and research. In this session, we will introduce how to revamp operations while maintaining control, using Amazon Business, adopted by over 70% of Japanese universities. We will share real university case studies and show how the resulting efficiencies can be converted into competitive strength.

### Achievements in DX Implementation at Hiroshima University

Professor Reiji Aihara, Senior Special Researcher, Special Appointed Professor, Hiroshima University

Hiroshima University established its DX Promotion Basic Plan in January 2021, outlining long-term principles and short-term priority initiatives to drive digitalization across all academic and administrative domains. Every three years, we evaluate progress on priority items, introduce new actions as needed, and assess overall achievement. This session will present outcomes from digitalization efforts, including upgraded back-office systems, administrative terminals, and talent development programs.

And more

Contact

Webinar Secretariat, Monthly 'Advanced Education', Graduate School of Business Design, Advanced Education Organization

Tel: 03-5860-5731 (10:00–15:00)

Email: webinar@sentankyo.ac.jp

About the Advanced Education Organization

**Name**: Advanced Education Organization

**President**: Higashi Hideya

**Headquarters**: 3-13-16 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

**Affiliated Institutions**: Graduate School of Business Design (Headquarters: 3-13-16 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)

**Campuses**: Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sendai

**: Graduate School of Social Design (3-13-18 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)

**Affiliated Institutes**: Institute for Business Design, Institute for Advanced Education

**Publications**: Monthly Business Design, Monthly Advanced Education, books, etc.