Fujii General Research Group × Kansai University: Cultivating Next-Generation Leaders for Sustainable Growth from Osaka

Fujii General Research Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and Group CEO: Takayuki Nakatani) and Kansai University Corporation (Location: Suita City, Osaka Prefecture; President: Tomoyuki Takahashi) have launched a practical education program through industry-academia collaboration titled 'Sustainable Growth Company Journey (Sustainable Growth Company Exploration Project).'

This program is part of the 'Osaka Social Impact Project (OSIP*1)' promoted by Kansai University in collaboration with Osaka Metropolitan University. It aims to equip students with practical skills required in real-world settings through Project-Based Learning (PBL) centered on corporate management challenges. Looking ahead, the program plans to fully involve international students, fostering global talent capable of addressing social issues through multicultural co-learning between Japanese and international students.

Through this co-creation project, Kansai University's Faculty of Commerce—whose educational philosophy is 'Practical Application of Knowledge (Gaku no Jitsuge)'—and the Fujii General Research Group—whose purpose is 'More Sustainable Growth Companies'—will leverage their respective strengths to cultivate 'Change Makers' who can transform society from Osaka and create new social value.

(Left) Tomoyuki Takahashi, President of Kansai University; (Right) Takayuki Nakatani, President and Group CEO of Fujii General Research Holdings

*1 OSIP: A project jointly conducted by Kansai University and Osaka Metropolitan University, selected under the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's 'Support Program for Establishing Multicultural Co-Learning Campuses to Create Social Impact.' Based in Osaka, the project aims to cultivate next-generation leaders, 'Change Makers,' through multicultural co-learning education. Website: https://osip.jp/about/

Background of the Project

Today, companies are increasingly expected not only to pursue profits but also to achieve sustainable growth and social contribution simultaneously. In this era of rapid change and high uncertainty, 'Sustainable Growth Companies'—organizations that grow robustly while solving social issues—are essential for shaping the future. To accelerate the emergence of such companies, it is crucial to cultivate leaders who not only understand management theory but also possess 'entrepreneurship'—the ability to drive change in real-world settings.

Against this backdrop, Fujii General Research Group and Kansai University are launching this practical education program through industry-academia collaboration.

The Fujii General Research Group, guided by its purpose of 'More Sustainable Growth Companies,' has long supported the sustainable growth of mid-sized and small enterprises. In this project, it will contribute its expertise to education, aiming to nurture the next generation of talent through real corporate experiences.

Meanwhile, Kansai University is advancing education centered on multicultural co-learning as part of OSIP. This project marks the first multicultural co-learning PBL offered as a formal, credit-bearing course by the Faculty of Commerce. Through collaboration with Fujii General Research Group—a leading company in the Kansai region—it will serve as a new educational model that tackles social challenges by combining diverse values.

Objectives of the Project

The project aims to develop students' abilities to address social challenges by engaging them in practical learning at corporate sites, with 'Sustainable Growth' as its central theme. By confronting real-world management issues faced by companies and collaborating with peers holding diverse perspectives, the program seeks to cultivate 'Change Makers' who can improve society.

Furthermore, this project embodies the principles of OSIP. Through multicultural co-learning between Japanese and international students, participants will gain global perspectives and entrepreneurial mindsets, while companies, universities, and students work together to create new value from Osaka.

Specifically, the project is built on three core pillars:

- Integration of Practice and Theory: Connecting theoretical learning at university with real-world practice to practically acquire the secrets of companies achieving sustainable growth.

- Development of Multifaceted Management Analysis Skills: Through the unique educational method 'Dual Engine,' students will develop advanced analytical insights from a management consulting perspective.

- Cultivation of Global Talent through Multicultural Co-Learning: With the future full participation of international students in mind, the program will establish a distinctive industry-academia collaboration model centered on multicultural co-learning, where Japanese and international students learn together. This year, a model educational program will be implemented to lay the foundation for future expansion.

Features of the Program

- Fieldwork Based on On-Site Experience:

Students will visit and analyze partner company sites (factories, stores, etc.) to experience real-world business operations firsthand.

- Direct Proposals to Partner Companies:

An active curriculum where students present their 'proposals for sustainable growth' directly to the responsible managers of the visited companies at Fujii General Research Group's Osaka headquarters.

Program Schedule and Fieldwork Partner Companies

June 4, 2026 (Thu): Problem Statement and Team Building

June 18, 2026 (Thu): First Fieldwork (Current Situation Analysis and Field Research)

July 2, 2026 (Thu): Second Fieldwork (Solution Development and Refinement)

July 30, 2026 (Thu): Final Presentation Session

[Fieldwork Partner Companies]

Companies based in the Kansai region, selected from past recipients of the 'Sustainable Growth Company Award*2' and supportive of this project, will be visited.

Liberty Co., Ltd. (Used and Kei car sales and repair / Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture)

i-plug Co., Ltd. (Operation of new graduate job offer-type recruitment services / Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture), among others. *Details in separate document

*2 Sustainable Growth Company Award: An enterprise award hosted by Fujii General Research Holdings Co., Ltd. and operated by Fujii General Research Institute Co., Ltd. The first edition was held in 2010 as the predecessor 'Great Company Award,' and the 17th edition will be held in 2026. The award defines and selects companies that achieve sustainable growth while transforming their regions and industries, and positively impacting society and the nation. Through this award, the initiative aims to support the healthy development of organizations, institutions, and individuals capable of significant social contributions and to advance society.

Future Outlook

This year, the program will be implemented as a formal course within Kansai University's Faculty of Commerce to establish an operational model. Based on its outcomes, the program aims to evolve into a multicultural co-learning industry-academia collaboration program with full participation of international students and potential collaboration with overseas partner universities, while also expanding to other faculties within the university.

Messages from the Leaders

Takayuki Nakatani, President and Group CEO, Fujii General Research Holdings Co., Ltd.

'I am delighted that in Osaka, the birthplace of our company, we can collaborate with Kansai University to nurture the next generation of leaders under our purpose of 'More Sustainable Growth Companies.' Through this project, students will gain access to advanced insights by visiting leading Sustainable Growth Companies in Japan. By integrating theory and practice, we aim to produce Change Makers from Osaka who will transform the future of society.'