Leadership

We help create social value by makingthe best use of their people

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Lead the Self→Lead the People,→Lead the Society

Today, for leaders to drive transformation in business and organizations, they must first continue transforming themselves.
For this reason, our programs are not designed as training sessions that simply provide answers, but as opportunities for each individual to gain personal insight and awareness.
Through powerful experiential learning and deep reflection, participants are encouraged to think independently, learn proactively, and take action on their own initiative. We cultivate both the ability to realize transformation through knowledge and skills—“wisdom”—and the values that form a leader’s unwavering beliefs—“core.” By sharpening these two dimensions and taking decisive action, leaders generate tangible outcomes—“results.”
This is ICMG Group’s philosophy of leadership.
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Hirohisa Ishikawa

Vice President, Representative Executive Officer, ICMG Group, Head of Human Capital and Leadership Division Representative Director, IWNC Vice President and Representative Director, ICMG

Refine your 'wisdom' and 'axis' and awaken your leadership as a corporate and social reformer.

In an age without clear solutions, leaders must continually drive business, organizational, and personal transformation. To navigate unprecedented change, they need to sharpen both their "wisdom" (the ability to implement change through knowledge and skills) and their "axis" (the core values and mindset that ground them as leaders). Leaders who possess both "wisdom" and "axis" act decisively and deliver results that matter to management.
This is ICMG Group's concept of leadership.

Awakening, overwhelming sense of ownership

ICMG's accompaniment begins with human resources, the source of an organization or company.
For this reason, our programs are designed not as training programs that merely teach answers and methods, but as individual “awareness” opportunities.
Through a process of intense experiential learning and deep reflection, we encourage participants to think, learn, and act on their own. We support the growth of strong leaders at all levels and generations, from newcomers to executives.
We encourage individual growth, and at times, action learning with members that transcends divisional and corporate boundaries to practice realistic collaboration and co-creation, leading to management transformation and business creation.
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Challenges Our Clients Face

CHALLENGE

I want to structure my organization's leadership development.

CHALLENGE

We want to create a pool of human resources for corporate transformation.

OPPORTUNITY

Creating a Growth Foundation for Global-Standard 'Value-Creating Leaders' by Transcending Traditional Frameworks

How did we help?

We focus on developing leaders who combine both “wisdom” and a strong “core,” offering programs that encourage personal insight and meaningful action.
By “wisdom,” we mean the ability to drive transformation through skills and expertise, while “core” refers to one’s beliefs and values. By cultivating both, we aim to develop leaders who create meaningful and lasting impact.
Through intensive experiential learning and deep reflection, our programs are designed for all organizational levels—from early-career professionals to senior executives. In collaboration with IWNC and through cross-functional and cross-company initiatives, we enable simultaneous individual growth and organizational transformation, supporting management reform and the creation of new business value.
“Winning through people.” I realized that until now, I had not fully reflected on what it truly means to win in this context. This led me to question what winning looks like for our company, why I am the one to take on this challenge, and what kind of leadership is required to support that purpose. Through open dialogue and rigorous discussions with the instructors, I was able to explore these questions in depth. From here on, everything comes down to practice. After completing the program, I returned to the workplace and began a process of continuous trial and error. It is challenging, but by using my “core” as the starting point, I am carving out a new path and working to transform the company.

Domestic Manufacturer

Voice of Customer

TEPCO Power Grid, Incorporated

Satoshi Okubo "Global Leader Training"

Developing individual capabilities to open up future markets through co-creation, and cultivating leaders who connect and thrive on the global stage.

The Global Leader Training (GLT) program places participants in a business environment that extends beyond Japan, where individuals from diverse backgrounds challenge themselves to develop new businesses through co-creation with domestic and international partners. Equipped with their own problem statements and willpower, participants engage in hands-on collaboration to explore new opportunities in a global context.

NTT Group 

Naoki Ichihashi "NTT University"

Finding the Power to Articulate—and the Conviction to Believe

The NTT University program on establishing a management philosophy was a powerful opportunity for me to reconsider what it truly means to speak as a leader.
In particular, the first-year session on “my core” challenged me to confront my own experiences and values, and I was deeply influenced by the authenticity of other participants who shared their stories openly.
After the program, I continued to reflect on my mission through dialogue with colleagues, supervisors, and family. I came to realize that “creating opportunities and breaking through the status quo” is a belief I have consistently held and will continue to uphold.
As a result of this experience, I have been able to clearly articulate my organization’s mission and values, foster shared understanding through dialogue, and take greater ownership in driving business transformation. The ability to speak with conviction, along with the peers I met through the program, remains my greatest asset.
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Transformation and Growth Through Unity

Mektec Corporation (MEK), a core company of the NOK Group under NOK CORPORATION, has led the global market as a pioneer in flexible printed circuits (FPCs) since its founding in 1969. In recent years, the company faced particularly challenging market conditions.
To address this, MEK’s executive team worked to clarify their leadership “core,” articulate a shared management philosophy, and redefine the organization’s aspird future, with support from IWNC. This process fostered strong alignment and unity across the leadership team.
A shared sense of urgency and collective commitment spread throughout the organization, forming the foundation for transformation and enabling a planned return to profitability. Today, MEK is advancing toward its next stage of growth with the goal of becoming No. 1 in the world.
At the same time, leadership programs for department managers across the NOK Group have strengthened purpose and values, accelerating the execution of transformation. As the NOK Group pursues global growth as one, MEK is expected to continue playing a central role in achieving world-leading performance in its field.
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Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
Mayuko Katayama "Future Leaders College"

The Future Leaders College (FLC) at Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, launched under the theme “Will you remain a follower, or will you become a leader?”, marked its fourth cohort in 2024. To date, the program has developed approximately 100 mid-level professionals, many of whom are now playing active leadership roles across their respective divisions. The program provides participants with a paradigm-shifting opportunity to reexamine their own thinking and values, while cultivating the ability to envision and execute transformation through a hands-on initiative called the “My Project,” which they implement within their own organizations. Through ongoing dialogue with peers and coaches, participants establish their own authentic leadership approach. Ms. Katayama, who completed the FLC program in 2023, reflected that prior to participating, her work in auditing had shaped a mindset focused on “only taking on tasks that could be completed with certainty and clear answers.” However, the FLC challenged her to make decisions in ambiguous situations without predefined answers and to move forward through repeated trial and error.
Through this process, she realized that her own belief that “failure must be avoided” had been limiting her willingness to take on new challenges. Through open and candid dialogue with peers and coaches, she also came to recognize the importance of not carrying everything alone, but instead advancing initiatives by drawing on the strengths and capabilities of others.
Through his My Project, Mr. Katayama strengthened his leadership by engaging stakeholders and refining ideas through continuous testing. Now Group Leader of the Internal Control Department at Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, he leads with a focus on each member’s strengths to achieve team results.
FLC reshaped his mindset from hesitation to action. He continues to embrace challenges and drive organizational transformation as a value-creating leader.
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Next-Generation Leaders in Dialogue: Their “Core” and the Future

ICMG Group and IWNC hosted the Leadership Acceleration Gathering, an event for alumni who have shared the common experience of the Axis Exploration® journey through our leadership programs.
Bringing together next-generation leaders active across a wide range of industries, the gathering provided an opportunity for participants to reconnect with their own “core” while creating new forms of co-creation that transcend organizational boundaries.
In this video, viewers can experience the energy of the event and gain firsthand insights from participants as they share how they put their personal “core” into practice along their leadership journey—one that begins with “Lead the Self.”

Our Presence

30000+Graduates from programs
1300+Leadership program graduates globally, Directors and above
130+Companies taken a leadership program with us

Our Services

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Next Generation Management Human Resource Development Program

We provide practical human resource development and assessment for the next generation of management candidates dealing with real management issues and strategic themes. We can also provide programs for the next generation and screening of promising human resources.

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Transformational Leader Development Program

The program includes team building and other elements to develop human resources who can create real change in the current business. The point is to go beyond desk plans and take action. Experienced coaches support both business and personal change actions.

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Global Human Resource Development Program

Developing leaders who can co-create business in a field beyond the framework of Japan. Through cross-cultural adaptability and exposure to global innovation they will grow into human resources capable of creating businesses without being bound by conventional wisdom.

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Innovative Human Resource Development Workshop

Through business and leadership exploration with young leaders of the same generation from other industries and companies we develop leaders who can lead the era of open innovation.

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Purpose Formulation and Penetration Workshop

Putting into writing the often-overlooked essential values of a company (social value and provided value) and generating understanding and engagement among internal and external stakeholders.

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Future Center Academy Program

In addition to coaching by premium coaches with extensive business experience, the program includes group workshops with other trainees and entrepreneurs that accelerate the effectiveness of the coaching, and an Academy program to supplement and acquire necessary skills.

Group Company

IWNC

Inspiring People to Lead Change, IWNC, a professional leadership-building partner that has been helping people and organizations for more than 30 years.

Our Experts

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We will mark our breath with Astronauts landing on Mars.

Hirohisa Ishikawa

Vice President, Representative Executive Officer, ICMG Group, Head of Human Capital and Leadership Division

Representative Director, IWNC

Vice President and Representative Director, ICMG

Kent University Economics and Finance

Completed MBA

After studying in Europe, joined IWNC in 1995, inspired by the vision of founder Antony. He then became the representative of the Japanese branch in 1999, and by 2007, expanded operations throughout Asia, becoming the group's managing director. In the 2000s, supported numerous executives who led the domestic IPO trend.Subsequently, he developed a formula for global success for business leaders based on his extensive experience in long-term organizational development for Western companies.More recently, he has sought teachings from elders of indigenous tribes worldwide, exploring the creation of highly sustainable organizations and more fundamental leadership in an era of high uncertainty.

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Pursuing a world where “live as you are” is sparked by interaction.

Hirokazu Tanaka

Leadership/Human Capital Management Promotion Executive Officer

Executive Officer, IWNC

Former General Manager of Human Resources Department, General Manager of Corporate Planning Department, and General Manager of Business Department, Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, Inc.

In his 20s, he joined an educational venture and was in charge of human resource development during its growth from IPO to the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. With the aspiration of “changing education in Japan,” he served as the general manager of the Corporate Planning Department and then as the general manager of the Business Department. After joining the Benesse Group, he felt the importance of leaders, and joined IWNC, with whom he had formed a partnership during his time in human capital development. He mainly participates in the Next Generation Management Program, and has been supporting about 1,000 next-generation leaders per year by utilizing his coaching skills since 2010. He has been in his current position since 2024, promoting leadership support utilizing the resources of the entire ICMG group.

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Ignite the potential of human capital (people) and increase the number of leaders who are forward-looking for the future In the WillPower Forest, “That's interesting” is the driving force that gets interesting things moving here and there with interesting colleagues.

Susumu Murakami

Executive Director, ICMG Group Leadership/Human Capital Management

IWNC Executive Officer and Evangelist

B.A. in International Relations, University of Tsukuba

Completed the Strategic Management Design Human Resource Development School (STRAMD), Kuwasawa Design Institute

Formerly worked for a major airline company and two consulting firms before assuming his current position. His areas of expertise include hands-on business and management reform implementation support, B to B sales reform, business reform utilizing client companies' intellectual capital, and leadership development for executives. His experience includes sales reform support for a major IT company and a megabank, new business planning support for a major stationery manufacturer, business reform support for a major housing equipment manufacturer, and executive management development programs for major companies.

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We will develop leaders who combine strength and goodness, and win with people on the world stage.

Yosuke Yagi

IWNC Board of Directors

MIT Sloan School Master of Science

B.A. in Economics, Kyoto University

Co-author of several works, including "The Vision of Strategic HR: Don't Be Bound by Systems, Tell a Story" (published by Kodansha Shinsho).

He joined GE in 1999 and held various HR positions at Healthcare Asia, Money Asia, and GE Japan. In 2012, he was appointed Executive Vice President of LIXIL Corporation and Executive Vice President of LIXIL Corporation.He served as the company's CHRO (Chief Human Resources Officer) and implemented the company's transformation. He promoted strategic human resources, including globalization, leadership development, and promotion of diversity.

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We create something of value to society.

Hitoshi Funahashi

ICMG Group President, Founder and Group CEO

Chairman, Management and Intellectual Assets Subcommittee, Industrial Structure Council/New Growth Policy Subcommittee, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Vice-Chairman of the New Business Creation Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Stable Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Activation Committee, and Executive Director of the Economic and Social Friendship Association.

Senior Managing Director, Japan Innovation Network

MBA, Waseda University Graduate School, Ph.

Founder and President of ICMG Co. He has worked in a general trading company in the development and export of chemical products for overseas markets and handling national bidding projects, until he joined Recruit Co. Ltd. in 1987. After working in the Human Resources General Service Division and the New Business Development Office, he founded the Business Incubation Division in 1996. He then launched the magazine "Entre" and provided a variety of services including "magazine," "internet," "events," and "individual consulting" as support services for venture companies. In 2000, he founded Accel, Inc. as a successor to the business support project.In 2001, the company partnered with Intellectual Capital AB, a Swedish intellectual capital rating company, to license and develop a Japanese version of IC Rating®, a method for evaluating the actual value of a company that cannot be shown on its balance sheet. In 2003, he took a stake in the company, and in 2010, he made it a subsidiary. Today, ICMG is an advocate of intellectual capitalism that ensures fair and appropriate profits for corporate stakeholders, including management, employees, business partners, customers, and shareholders, and conducts research and practice of ICMG's unique "Intellectual Capital Management" method.

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Creating a society in which each and every one of us can fulfill our potential.

Takehiko Ogi

External Director of ICMG

Professor, Kyushu University Business School

Author of "The Law of Decline: The Silent Killer Eroding Japanese Companies" (Toyo Keizai Inc.) Having graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law, he holds a B.A. from the Woodrow Wilson School of International Relations, Princeton University, N.J., and an M.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, D. (Economics), Graduate School of Economics, The University of Tokyo

He has served in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), as the President and Representative Director of Tsutaya Online, Representative Director and Managing Director of Culture Convenience Club, President and Representative Executive Officer of Kanebo (seconded from the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan), President and Representative Director of Maruzen (now Maruzen CHI Holdings),and President and Representative Director of Japan Human Resources Development Organization. He has always been involved in the forefront of corporate and social reform.

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Saya Iwasaki

HR Strategy & Client Advisory Director

OpenSea, Former Head of People

DoorDash, Former Global Enablement Lead

Stanford University, MA in Education, Learning, Design and Technology

Born in America, raised Japanese in Africa and Southeast Asia,  and nurtured her career in APAC and Silicon Valley. She specializes in designing organizations, services and experiences that are rooted in deep research, operational excellence and a culture  of innovation and learning.  She served as the Head of People for OpenSea (a top web3 unicorn) and has a proven track record of expanding DoorDash (a Series C to IPO decacorn) from 800 to 15,000 employees globally.  In addition, she’s supported large-scale M&As, coaching and leading C-Suite executives on strategic management, designing best-in-class cultures, and establishing operational and organizational systems that optimize for results.  Her practice is rooted in human-centered research & design and educational innovation, an area of expertise from completing her Master's at Stanford University and consulting for Fortune 100 companies, including NASDAQ. She is continuously in pursuit of solutions that address challenges at their root.  When taking a break from solving big problems, she creates children’s storybooks and enjoys searching for the best strawberry shortcake in town. She is based in Tokyo with her family.

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Anthony Willoughby

ICMG Executive Advisor

Founder of The Nomadic School of Business

Founder of IWNC

In Search of Inspiration, Author

Leadership and coaching expert

Founder of IWNC. During an expedition in Papua New Guinea, a team that was united to accomplish a goal was demoralized by the complaint of a single member. He launched team building techniques and leadership development programs based on the concept of “I Will Not Complain” in Japan in 1989 and in China in 1992. After more than 10 years of dialogue with tribal chiefs in Papua New Guinea and Kenya, he developed a visualization process called “Territory Mapping,” which visualizes where you are and where you are going, giving you a creative and new perspective that is not bound by preconceived ideas.

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Imagine. Innovate. Interact. Connect to Co-Create.

Becoming innovation partners to co-create the future