Moving Society with Narrative Talent - Management and PR Based on Philosophy, Latest Theories and Case Studies - Monthly 'Sentan Kyoiku' August 2026 Release

The publishing department of Sentan Kyoiku Gakuen (Tokyo, Minato-ku, Chairperson: Hideya Azuma), which operates Business Breakthrough Graduate School and Graduate School of Social Design, has released the August 2026 issue of the educational professional magazine 'Sentan Kyoiku', which connects society and recurrent education, on July 1 (Wed). (https://www.sentankyo.jp/)

[Feature 1] Moving Society with Narrative Talent - Management and PR Based on Philosophy, Latest Theories and Case Studies

This feature examines how to fundamentally approach 'philosophy-based management' from both academic research and practical perspectives.

In an era of information overload brought about by AI, the key to gaining trust lies in 'stories' backed by philosophy and reality. In this feature, we have named those who embody this as 'narrative talent'. Academically, we explore universal fundamentals by tracing back to ancient Greek philosophy and Edo-period thinkers. We also introduce insights from 'narrative economics,' whose proponent recently received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, and connect it to the practice of philosophy-based management.

- Beyond Theory: Structure and Methods for Penetrating Purpose Applicable in the Field / Chieko Matsuda, Professor, Graduate School of Business Administration, Tokyo Metropolitan University

<<Key Phrase>>

"For companies to interact with stakeholders, they must first articulate who they are, what they aim for, and how that benefits society. To achieve this, having a well-formulated purpose and acting upon it is becoming increasingly important for evaluation." (Excerpt from article)

- Points and Thinking for Formulating Purpose to Ensure Effectiveness / Hiroshi Iwasaki, Professor, Department of Creative Innovation, Musashino Art University

<<Key Phrase>>

"Japan has the concept of 'Sanpo Yoshi' (three-party satisfaction), and a culture with a very high awareness of stakeholder interests has existed traditionally. That is precisely why I believe that by appropriately utilizing purpose, Japanese companies can leverage their strengths." (Excerpt from article)

- Focusing on Historical Changes to Grasp the Reality of Purpose /

Haruhiko Nobayashi, Professor, Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics, Kanazawa Seiryo University

- Creating an Environment that Fosters Individuality through 'Drawing, Polishing, and Shining' to Bring Out Initiative /

Yoshiyuki Yano, Senior Executive Officer, Head of HR & ESG Promotion, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Shuichi Yamamoto, Group Manager, Employee Support Group, Human Resources Department, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

- Philosophy-Based Management at Unilever: Designing Operations to Translate Purpose and Resonate with Individuals /

Shiori Baster Majer, Head of HR & General Affairs, Unilever Japan Holdings LLC

And more

[Feature 2] University Management Strategies in the DX Era - Business Reform, Governance Strengthening, Data and AI Utilization

Amidst significant changes in the external environment, such as the declining 18-year-old population and globalization, fundamental management reform is a critical issue for universities. In particular, there is a growing demand for strategic management based on data, by reforming analog operations reliant on paper and manual labor to digital-first operations, and promoting DX not merely as operational efficiency improvement but as the reconstruction of the infrastructure supporting transformation.

At the 'DX Era University Management Strategies' Academic Day of the 'SAP Concur Fusion Exchange 2026 JAPAN - Public Deep Dive' hosted by Sentan Kyoiku Gakuen, Mr. Yoshio Hashimoto, President and Representative Director of Concur Inc., gave a presentation in the 'Opening Session'. He spoke about the 'world where expenses change management,' which the company, advocating for 'a world without expense reimbursement,' is looking towards.

Mr. Hideto Matsumoto, Director of the Higher Education Bureau's Specialized Education Division at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, delivered the keynote speech. Following this, universities and companies introduced their approaches and leading examples for implementing digital-first business reforms.

This feature introduces the event held in May.

- Human Resource Development and University Management Utilizing Digital in Higher Education / Hideto Matsumoto, Director, Specialized Education Division, Higher Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

- System Implementation is Just the Starting Point: Aiming for Further Business Reform and DX Promotion /

Satoshi Hayashida, Director, Finance Division, Finance Department, Yamaguchi University

- Changes in Payment Trends Surrounding Universities and Expanding Corporate Card Utilization /

Chiharu Kuwahara, BM Business Development Department, Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd.

- Support for Travel Expense Reimbursement DX: Achieving Operational Optimization and Governance Strengthening /

Kiichiro Jimura, Director, Corporate Planning Department & Head of Business Design Office, NTT Nexcuria Inc.

- Optimization of Reimbursement Operations in Travel and Expense Reimbursement Domains / Shuta Himama, Group Manager, Business Consulting Group, 1st System Department, 3rd System Division, Needswell Inc.

- Transformation of University Management Models through DX in Research and Expense Management / Kenichiro Hara, Academic Sales Executive, Public Sales Department, Concur Inc.

- Towards Universities Evolving with Data and AI, Investing in Enhancing Universities' Intrinsic Value /

Kazuyuki Fujimoto, Data Strategy Office, Management Strategy Headquarters, Tohoku University

[Region x Education Innovation] Hyogo Prefecture - Hideyoshi's Strategy, Standing in Himeji

For the 'Region x Education Innovation' feature, we chose Hyogo Prefecture for this issue. The approach is based on two 'design' philosophies intersecting in the land of Harima and Himeji. Himeji Castle, built by Hashiba Hideyoshi in his quest for national unification, is a crystallization of 'design for obstructing people,' while the private school Jinzan-ko, founded by the prominent elder Kawai Sun'o in the late Edo period, was a practice of 'design for nurturing people.' Starting from these two contrasting philosophies, we will provide a multifaceted look at the forefront of educational innovation that Hyogo and Kobe are currently undertaking, including the educational vision of Akiko Kimura, Director-General of the Hyogo Prefectural Board of Education, the industry-academia collaboration challenges by a venture capital firm spun off from Kobe University, startup education at Akashi National College of Technology, and the development of PR professionals to disseminate regional pride.

[Interview with Director-General of Education]

Fostering the Ability to Create 'the Future We Want to Be' / Akiko Kimura, Director-General, Hyogo Prefectural Board of Education

In Hyogo Prefecture, various educational policies are being promoted under the basic philosophy of 'Nurturing people who are rich in spirit and independent, cultivated by Hyogo.' We spoke with Akiko Kimura, Director-General of the Prefectural Board of Education, about the prefecture's key educational initiatives, including enhancing the appeal of prefectural high schools, promoting educational DX, reforming working styles in schools, addressing school non-attendance, and improving special needs education.

Experiencing learning activities using VR goggles in a 'Research Room' equipped with DX devices for the school-set subject 'Hōmei Inquiry Basics' (Prefectural Sasayama Hōmei High School). Creating models using a 3D printer in the 'Research Labo' as part of inquiry activities (Prefectural Mikage High School).

- Kobe's Venture Capital's Challenge to Connect University Knowledge to Society / Yosshi Mizuhara, President and Representative Director, Kobe University Capital Co., Ltd.

Kobe University Capital (KUC) connects Kobe University's intellectual assets to social implementation through entrepreneurship, investment, and nurturing. We spoke with President Mizuhara about KUC's business development, which not only supports Kobe University-launched startups but also promotes the creation of businesses in the deep tech domain beyond the boundaries of universities and research institutions.

- Startup Education from National Colleges of Technology Fosters a Challenging Mindset and the Ability to Connect with Society / Yoshihiro Kajimura, Professor, Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Akashi National College of Technology

Image of the hardware fabrication area on the first floor of the Creation Studio. Emphasis on active learning, including conducting PBL classes called 'Co+work.'

- Nurturing and Communicating 'Regional Pride' by Training PR Professionals / Yui Nishiura, Representative, MUSUBI planning LLC

The regional PR human resource development program 'Be:LOCAL' provides practical training in interviewing, writing, photography, design, and SNS operation. It produces professionals who disseminate regional charm and support the future of their regions. The goal is to build a nationwide network, including program graduates, in the future.

[Other Noteworthy and Serialized Articles]

Foreword:

Current Status of GX Human Resource Development and Prospects for Corporate Transformation / Shinichi Tahara, President and Representative Director, Skill Up NeXt Inc.

Aspiring University Students:

'The First Step,' Together with Friends - Students Delivering Challenges to Students / Yuki Miwa, Representative, Business Contest KING Executive Committee / 2nd Year, Faculty of Economics, Keio University

Yuto Horita, Director of Public Relations, Business Contest KING Executive Committee / 2nd Year, Faculty of Economics, Keio University

The Job of Nurturing: New Series

Élevage (The Act of Nurturing)

Supervised by: Nariki Onuki, Chef / Shota Sato, Sommelier, Cucina italiana FLATTORIA

Decoding the Next Curriculum Guidelines: Final Installment

Fundamental Improvement of Information Utilization Skills and Realization of High-Quality Inquiry-Based Learning / Manabu Tamura, Chief Inspector, Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Bridge Personnel Connecting Regions:

Developing Games Set in Regions - Aiming for Regional Revitalization through Digital Utilization / Hiroji Higuchi, President and Representative Director, Papaya Battery Development Co., Ltd.

And more

All photographic materials in this release are quoted from the August 2026 issue of Monthly Sentan Kyoiku.

Magazine Overview: Monthly Sentan Kyoiku August 2026 Issue

Publisher: Sentan Kyoiku Gakuen Publishing Department

Price: 1,620 yen (tax included)

ASIN: B0H6PP2G3V

Available at bookstores nationwide. Also sold on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0H6PP2G3V

About Monthly Sentan Kyoiku

First published in October 2019. As a media outlet aiming to foresee the future of education, it is a specialized educational magazine focusing on all forms of 'learning,' including school education, early childhood education, and adult education. It features educational themes linked to social change and challenges, government priority education policies, special features on corporate and adult education, and serialized articles covering overseas educational trends and education industry innovators, providing valuable information and ideas to all those involved in education, including teachers, local government officials, companies, and NPOs.

https://www.sentankyo.jp/

Outline of Sentan Kyoiku Gakuen

Name: Sentan Kyoiku Gakuen

Chairperson: Hideya Azuma

Location: 3-13-16 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Affiliated Schools: Business Breakthrough Graduate School (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 Institutions: Research Institute for Business Design, Research Institute for Advanced Education

Publications: Monthly Business Design, Monthly Sentan Kyoiku, Books, Books, etc.