Naoki Watanabe, Professor, Faculty of Business and Commerce

17 fourth-year students, 13 third-year students and eight graduate students study together (as of March, 2007).

At the Faculty of Business and Commerce, we emphasize seminar studies to provide opportunities to develop each other. It is important not only to expand knowledge, but also to express yourself accurately and communicate smoothly with other students, which are necessary skills for entering the business world. This is actually based on Keio University's tradition of "half learning, half teaching", which is also in the title of this article.

In my seminar, not only in debates or at Mitasai presentations but in ordinary group researching, we regularly have fourth-year students teach third-year students and students with more experiences in a certain field provide information to other students. In some occasions, my students bring me news and information on new trends. Especially to graduate students, I keep telling them that their job is to "teach" me, and they seem to enjoy surprising me with information of their cutting-edge realm.

What makes the "half learning, half teaching" principle possible is free debating. Freedom is more important than anything, however, in often cases, it is not easy to realize it. Similar to the fact that our freedom has boundaries so as not to disturb people around you, in free debating, you need to know the rules to respect others. Minimal knowledge is also indispensable. Obviously, academic knowledge can be measured by how you view something, not by how much you know about it.

In my seminar, third-year students are given assignments to learn the basics of corporate research , translate foreign studies, analyze financial statements, learn the basics of microeconomics and scientific philosophy, all in preparation for free debating.In fourth-year, students choose a title for their graduation thesis. At this point, students realize the joy and hardship of independent research, because it is not easy to find a theme on your own and consistently demonstrate it.

I hope that through academic research with me, my students develop academically and mentally, and acquire leadership and communication abilities that are necessary in the business world.

Faculty's Profile

Prof. Naoki Watanabe, Faculty of Business and Commerce



Finished Graduate School of Business and Commerce of Keio University with a PhD in 1977. He was appointed Instructor in 1975, Associate Professor in 1982, and Professor in 1992. During this time, he studied at the Graduate School of LSE (London School of Economics). He also served as visiting researcher or visiting professor at Cambridge University (UK), LSE (UK), University of New South Wales (Australia), and Nankai University (China). Today, serves as Deputy Director of Student Affairs Center. Specializes in "Economics for organizations", "decision theory", "studies on management organization" and "methodology of social science". Recent works (as co-author) include "Analysis of super modular of modern corporations" (published by Keio University Press).

Student's Voice

Naoki Yamada, Faculty of Business and Commerce
(Graduated from Keio University in March, 2007)

Failure is not the opposite of success!


The Watanabe seminar is one of the seminars that focuses on business economics, and the main themes of research are management strategy, management organization and game theory. More specifically, we try to apply and explain basic theories and knowledge of economics and business economics to businesses that are close to our lives, and corporate activities.

Members of the seminar include members of the Athletic League, members of various circle activities, students who came back to study after retiring from work, returnees from overseas studies, and with such various backgrounds and unique personality, we study together.

What I learned from seminar activities is not to fear challenge. As I belong to the rugby team of Keio University Athletic League, I don't have much time, and was reluctant to join a seminar. By pushing my limits in my studies and in playing rugby, I was able to encounter with wonderful people. I hope third-year students will follow me with challenging spirits. I hope you will all lead a happy school life.