On Friday, October 30, 2026, Mr. Takeo Harada, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for International Strategy and Information Analysis (IISIA), delivered a lecture entitled “What Is Entrepreneurship? A Practical and Theoretical Approach” as part of the Fall 2026 course “Introduction to Biomedical Engineering” at the Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo, where he serves as a part-time lecturer.

The lecture sought to examine the fundamental principles of entrepreneurship from both practical and theoretical perspectives, with particular emphasis on translating specialized knowledge in biomedical engineering into tangible societal value and the creation of sustainable business ventures.

At the outset, Mr. Harada addressed recent developments in the international landscape and introduced the concept of AI-enabled Governance, a central focus of IISIA’s ongoing academic research and policy initiatives. Drawing attention to Japan’s institutional characteristics as a developmental state, he explored the necessity of institutional transformation in an era of accelerating AI adoption and discussed the evolving role of entrepreneurship in shaping the future of society.

The lecture subsequently examined essential aspects of entrepreneurial activity, including the identification of business opportunities, effectuation and causation, business model development, regulatory frameworks, financing strategies, and product-market fit (PMF). Through practical examples and established theoretical frameworks, Mr. Harada illustrated the challenges and opportunities involved in establishing and sustaining innovative enterprises.

An interactive group discussion was also conducted with 19 participating students, focusing on the practical challenges of bringing emerging medical technologies into society. Using a hypothetical case involving the development of an innovative diagnostic technology for diabetes management, students considered how scientific discoveries could be translated into commercially viable solutions capable of improving patients’ quality of life.

The discussion provided an opportunity for students to engage critically with the complex relationship between technological innovation, institutional frameworks, market dynamics, and entrepreneurial decision-making.

Throughout the lecture, Mr. Harada emphasized that the successful translation of academic research into meaningful societal outcomes requires not only technological advancement but also a comprehensive understanding of public policy, regulatory environments, and market structures, together with the entrepreneurial capacity to act upon such knowledge.

Mr. Harada’s academic engagement with the University of Tokyo spans nearly two decades. He previously served as a part-time lecturer at the University’s College of Arts and Sciences in 2006. Since October 2024, he has served as a part-time lecturer at the Graduate School of Engineering, while also holding an appointment as a Visiting Researcher at the Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine since March 2024.

Guided by its founding philosophy, “Giving the People Hope and Future,” IISIA remains committed to advancing international strategic analysis, academic research, and policy recommendations, particularly in the field of AI-enabled Governance.

Through continued collaboration with leading academic institutions in Japan and abroad, IISIA will further strengthen the connection between scholarly inquiry and practical implementation, contributing to the development of future generations of leaders and the realization of a more sustainable and resilient society.