Recruitment begins for qualification program co-developed with Thunderbird School of Global Management to foster next-generation leaders for overseas business!

Wilson Learning Worldwide Inc. (President and CEO: Masakazu Negishi, hereinafter "our company") has begun accepting applications for the "Character & Strategy Global Leadership Qualification Program," co-developed with Thunderbird School of Global Management (hereinafter "Thunderbird"), part of Arizona State University (hereinafter "ASU"), a global leader in management and leadership education.

This program is designed for next-generation leaders who will spearhead overseas business and multinational teams, and will be conducted through a combination of online learning and in-person lectures in Tokyo. It offers an opportunity to learn the leadership and strategic thinking required in a global environment. Instructors from Thunderbird are scheduled to visit Japan to coincide with the in-person sessions (Tokyo).

Social Background and Reason for Implementation

In recent years, the business environment surrounding Japanese companies has become increasingly complex, with the development of overseas markets, restructuring of supply chains, and management of multinational teams. In this context, fostering leaders who can drive business across borders and cultures is a critical theme for the sustainable growth of companies. However, acquiring skills such as strategy and language proficiency alone is not sufficient; establishing one's own way of being as a leader (character) is essential to gain trust across nations and cultures. This program combines our company's expertise in leadership development with Thunderbird's global management education to support the development of next-generation global leaders who can integrate and practice both strategy and character.

Program Features

Program co-developed by Wilson Learning and Thunderbird A key feature is the combination of our company's leadership development expertise with the global management education from Thunderbird, one of the world's premier leadership, management, and business schools.

Learning Leadership from Both "Character" and "Strategy" This program develops senior leaders who connect strategy and character, leading with both. It enhances the character necessary to understand how companies actually function and to bear that responsibility. It cultivates executives who are ready to lead corporate management by integrating disciplined strategy with a grounded leadership identity.

Learning Both Knowledge Acquisition and Practical Dialogue through a Combination of Online (English) and In-Person Sessions (Japanese/English)

Thunderbird's online learning is conducted entirely in English. Through nine modules covering topics such as understanding and utilizing future trends, backcasting, forecasting, and present casting, leaders will deepen their understanding of the global forces that shape strategy, competitive positioning, systems, and outcomes. The in-person sessions will focus on verbalizing one's leadership philosophy, connecting purpose with responsibility, and strengthening the balance between character and results required to lead in complex environments. The in-person sessions will be conducted in Japanese, but Thunderbird instructors will also participate. The final day's presentations will be in English, with feedback provided by instructors in both Japanese and English.

Program Overview

Program Name: Character & Strategy Global Leadership Qualification Program

Program Website:

https://japan.wilsonlearning.com/special/thunderbird-wilson-character-strategy-jp

Target Audience: Candidates for overseas business managers, next-generation management talent, HR/talent development departments, etc.

Recruitment Category: Japan Recruitment

Format: Online Learning + In-Person Lectures in Tokyo

Online Learning: Available from September 1, 2026

In-Person Sessions: November 11-13, 2026 (scheduled) Location: Tokyo

Application Method: Apply via the program website

First Session Discount: Monitor discount available for early applicants

Inquiries: Via dedicated inquiry form

*This program is also offered separately in the United States. In-person sessions for the U.S. recruitment will be held in Los Angeles.

Partner: About Thunderbird

Thunderbird, our partner for this program, is part of ASU and is one of the world's leading schools of leadership, management, and business. It has been ranked No. 1 for "Most Innovative Universities in the U.S." for 11 consecutive years (2016-2026) by U.S. News & World Report, surpassing institutions like MIT and Stanford University. For 80 years, Thunderbird has been developing leaders capable of working across sectors and cultures through an innovative approach that combines global management, leadership, technology, and international relations.

It is highly regarded as an educational institution that fosters leaders who can create sustainable prosperity worldwide.

Furthermore, Thunderbird is globally recognized for its excellence in international business education.

In the QS International Trade Rankings, it has been ranked No. 1 worldwide in the "International Trade" category for four consecutive years from 2023 to 2026, receiving higher ratings than prestigious universities worldwide, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and Columbia University.

Inquiries about the Monitor Discount and Program Details

This program offers a monitor discount for the first session and for early applicants. For details on the discount content and application method, please inquire through the contact form on the program website.

Masakazu Negishi, President and CEO, Wilson Learning Worldwide Inc.

We are extremely pleased to collaborate with ASU/Thunderbird in the field of executive education and to launch this program. By combining our company's long-cultivated expertise in sales and leadership development with world-class global management education, we aim to create a "learning space for next-generation leaders" that supports the sustainable growth of Japanese and Asian companies. We believe that embarking on this new challenge is a symbolic initiative for our company's next stage of growth.

Moving forward, we will continue to develop this program as a foundation for nurturing management talent that supports the overseas expansion of Japanese companies. We will expand the learning opportunities for leaders who create value across borders and cultures, together with managers in charge of overseas bases and companies facing challenges in developing next-generation management talent.

Company Profile

Company Name: Wilson Learning Worldwide Inc.

Representative: Masakazu Negishi, President and CEO

Location: Ginza PREX East 5F, 2-1-4 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Established: December 28, 1981

Business Activities: Development and provision of consulting and solutions for human resource development and organizational development

Official Website: https://japan.wilsonlearning.com/

Inquiries from Media

For interview requests, requests for press materials, or inquiries regarding quotations, please contact us at the following:

Inquiries via Form: https://ce.wilsonlearning.jp/form/contact Inquiries via Email: [email protected]