e-solutions has been accelerating the practice of "Creating Shared Value (CSV)" as a "CSV catalyst" for solving social issues through new business creation for the past 23 years, since its founding in 1999, even before the concepts of "ESG," "SDGs," and "CSV" came into existence.
In fact, Eiichi Shibusawa, known as the father of Japanese capitalism, advocated the "Harmony between morality and economy" stating that "the pursuit of profit and adherence to moral principles for social justice must stand together for the nation to grow soundly."
Under this shared vision spanning over a century, Ken Shibusawa, Descendants
of Eiichi Shibusawa, visited our company to give a lecture titled "Eiichi Shibusawa's 'The Analects and the Abacus' and CSV."
Profile
Ken Shibusawa
President, Shibusawa & Company Inc.
Shibusawa & Company Inc.
Chairman, Commons Asset Management Inc.Commons Asset Management Inc.
Graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1983.
After working at the Japan Center for International Exchange, he graduated from UCLA's MBA program in 1987. He worked in market operations at JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs before joining a major U.S. hedge fund in 1996, where he became the representative of the Tokyo office in 1997.
He founded Shibusawa & Company Inc. in 2001. In 2007, he founded Commons Inc., which was renamed Commons Asset Management Inc. in 2008, where he became chairman. He also holds multiple directorships, serves on government committees, and is a visiting professor and advisor at various universities.
Keishin Sasaki
President and CEO, e-solutions inc.
Graduated with a Master’s in Instrumental Engineering from Keio University in 1984.
Completed a Master of Science in Management at MIT Sloan School of Management in 1989.
After working at Nippon Kokan K.K. and Booz & Company, he became Director of Business Planning Department at SoftBank Corporation. In January 1999, he founded e-solutions Inc. and became its President and CEO.
He also holds positions as Chairman of NC Medical Research Inc., as well as multiple directorships, city government advisory roles, and visiting professorships.
Speech
Eiichi Shibusawa's "The Analects and the Abacus" and CSV
- The Modern Significance of "The Analects and the Abacus"
- The concept of joint-stock companies, which are now known as large corporations such as banks and securities companies, was seen as "social innovation" about 150 years ago. Shibusawa’s "The Analects and the Abacus" can be rephrased in modern terms as "Sustainability" and "Inclusion."
- Japan's Role in the World: "Made with Japan"
- While the population of people in their 10s to 30s is declining in Japan, this demographic is increasing in emerging countries worldwide. This generation is always connected to the world through the internet from birth. If young Japanese people can switch to being "constantly connected to the world," Japan might be able to become a model for creating a sustainable future together with the world, as "Made with Japan" rather than "Made in Japan."
Discussion
After the lecture, in a discussion with e-solutions President Keishin Sasaki, Ken Shibusawa expressed that the experience was "as touching as returning to the origins of why this company was founded." The discussion touched upon the sources of Eiichi Shibusawa’s visionary power, his ability to "move people," and the importance of viewing society from a comprehensive perspective.
Reasons Shibusawa Could Gather People and Capital
- Shibusawa
- (Referring to Eiichi Shibusawa gathering people and capital as if "a drop of water becomes a river") I think it’s a concept from the Analects, namely 'Trust (credibility).' This concept is still relevant today, no matter the company or position.
- Sasaki
- The essence is that "unless people take action, the surroundings will not change." It’s important that when people take action, they spread and connect more and more.
The Importance of a Comprehensive View of Society
- Sasaki
- Rather than looking at Industry A, Industry B, and Industry C separately, it is more beneficial to view society as a whole. What happens in A might help B and C as well. We should not focus solely on specific areas but view the broader picture. Young people should listen to experts from various fields and develop the "composition" of business in a way that combines different sounds into a beautiful harmony.
- Shibusawa
- The keyword "comprehensive view" is three-dimensional. When thinking in two dimensions, it could be about engineering, economics, "or" healthcare. A comprehensive view is from a bird’s eye perspective. If you can see from that viewpoint, you will see where things match. Experiencing things firsthand and obtaining primary information is very important, and curiosity is essential for this.
Q&A
Many employees who participated both online and offline had active discussions and questions about the lecture and Ken Shibusawa. The lecture and dialogue provided an opportunity for many employees to reassess the significance of e-solutions' role as a "CSV catalyst" in solving social issues and maximizing corporate profits through "business production."
