Japan getting fond of social business
The social business concept introduced by Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus continues to receive support in Japan. The Japanese believe the model can solve various social problems, including poverty and environmental issues.
Since the declaration of Fukuoka city in Japan to be a social business city, academic institutions have seen that the model not only helps developing countries, but also developed countries like Japan. The social business city promotes zero dividend businesses to solve social problems in the city and throughout Asia.
Inspired by Yunus, Kyushu University set up an academic centre — Yunus and Shiiki Social Business Research Centre — in October 2011 to study, research, and promote social business in Japan and all over the world.
The centre aims to produce skilled social architects, build partnerships with related organisations, create replicable social business models to combat global issues such as poverty, health, environment, energy, education and natural disaster crises. Prominent businessman Shiiki of the Fukuoka city funds this centre.
An agreement was signed between Kyushu University and Grameen Communications to promote relations and carry out collaborative research to solve global issues by using Grameen’s strength in serving the masses and the Japanese strength in technology.
Prof Masaharu Okada, executive director of the Yunus and Shiiki Social Business Research Centre, said he was impressed by Yunus’ personality and the wonderful social business innovation. Prof Okada engages himself with the university projects with the Grameen family and began working with Dr Yunus in 2008. He joined as executive director of Yunus Centre and Grameen Creative Lab at Kyushu University.
Students of Kyushu and many other universities in Japan are now encouraged to do research on social businesses, Prof Okada said in a recent interview.
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