The 21st Nitobe College Mentor Forum was held
The 21st Nitobe College Mentor Forum was held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education. This iteration was especially significant, as it was conducted in conjunction with the Hokkaido University 150th Anniversary Project, celebrating the 2026 milestone marking 150 years since the university’s founding in 1876.
The Nitobe College Honors Program: Graduate Curriculum appoints specialists who are making a significant impact across various fields to serve as mentors. These mentors play a vital role in encouraging students to explore future career pathways, broaden their global outlooks, and develop professional networks.
By engaging with these approachable role models, students gain the chance to think critically about their plans for life after completing their graduate studies. The forum, held twice a year, acts as an essential bridge between academic research and the diverse realities of the professional world.
Mentor Lectures: Unlocking Resilience
The central theme for this forum was “Unlocking Resilience: Lessons Learned from Setbacks“. Five distinguished mentors shared personal narratives of the challenges they faced on their paths to success and the invaluable lessons they gained from failure.
Introducing the Mentors
Taruho KURODA (CEO, BlackFields Consulting)
Dr. Kuroda narrated six key stories of adversity, from childhood experiences to professional failures at institutions such as Harvard Medical School. He highlighted that resilience involves recognising pain and adopting a long-term perspective, noting that deep empathy arising from struggle can serve as a bridge for connecting people.
Miku SAGA (HR Specialist, Hitachi, Ltd.)
Using a creative “Game Over/Try Again” theme, Ms. Saga joined online to discuss her journey from a background in translation and interpretation to a career in global HR. She provided students with a resilience framework: reflecting on what is missing, preparing thoroughly, and breaking down overwhelming issues into manageable tasks.
Taku NAKAHARA (CEO, Metagen Therapeutics, Inc.)
Dr. Nakahara shared the “reality check” of transitioning from academia to the biotech industry. He was frank about a business failure in the U.S. and how it taught him to be “transparent”, focusing solely on a mission rather than his own ego to make success a collective achievement.
Yoshiaki WADA (Former Member, House of Representatives)
Mr. Wada drew on high-stakes experiences and setbacks he has faced throughout his career. Quoting Winston Churchill’s famous words, he encouraged the students with a message of unwavering resolve: “If you are going through hell, keep going!” He also emphasized the importance of always keeping a “Plan B” in mind as a practical and realistic approach to navigating one’s career.
Kodai FUJII (President, Sanmaruko Foods Co., Ltd.)
Mr. Fujii explained his mission to address societal issues such as lifestyle-related diseases, inspired by his personal experience of losing over 50kg. He emphasised that resilience stems from analysing one’s strengths and discovering the “crosspoint” where one’s unique abilities meet society’s urgent needs.
Mentor Networking Event: A Gateway to the Outside World
The latter part of the forum included a networking session exclusively for students enrolled in the Nitobe College Honours Program: Graduate Curriculum. The atmosphere was one of deep discovery and mutual respect. For many graduate students who spend long hours in scientific settings, the session offered a rare and valuable opportunity to step outside their “research bubble”.
The event felt like a safe and welcoming space where professionals from vastly different social backgrounds could interact. Students observed not only the career advice but also the mentors’ “live” presence, how they attracted attention, how they aligned their messages, and how they shared their unique experiences. It served as a vital reminder that, although life can resemble a tough movie script, individuals have the power to reflect and draw on resilience to live vibrantly. Participants left the session feeling that the insights gained were invaluable, providing them with essential “shelter” and a sense of belonging as they navigate their own career paths.
Nitobe College thanks the mentors and students for their participation in this significant 150th-anniversary celebration.
