[No. 187] Naohiro Hasebe

I had no choices at the turning points in my life until I became a working adult.

I failed all my junior high school entrance exams and was only accepted from the waiting list for one school later on.

For university entrance exams, I only passed the one for Keio University.

During my job search, I only received an offer from one company.

Because I had no other options, I had no choice but to work hard in the environment I was given, without thinking about other things, and I was able to do my best.

Looking back, I've worked desperately hard in every environment, but what I learned at Keio University has undoubtedly become my foundation and given me confidence.

I loved mathematics since I was a child. I found myself captivated by its fun. Naturally, I aimed for the Department of Mathematics, wanting to study it in college. However, once I entered university, the classes were complete gibberish to me. In no time, mathematics became an uninteresting subject for me...

At the Faculty of Science and Technology at Keio University, the system is that you decide your specialized department from your second year. From School 2, which I entered, you could only advance to either the Department of Mathematics or the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the time. If I wasn't going to the Department of Mathematics, my only option was the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. As usual, my choice was already made for me. However, that encounter with Industrial and Systems Engineering, which I chose, may have been a miracle for me.

What I learned in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering was immediately applicable in the real world after I started working. The subjects that particularly interested me in class were financial engineering, economics, bookkeeping, and programming languages. After joining a securities company, my first assignment was to a team that structured equity derivative products. It was a hands-on experience in financial engineering. On the Japanese equity sales team, you can't talk about the stock market or a company's future without understanding economics and bookkeeping. Now, I have founded a financial IT venture, and knowledge of programming is essential.

Around the time I founded my company, I took an introductory course to learn programming again. I took the course alongside people in their early twenties, but I finished the assignments the fastest by far. I realized the importance of having a solid grasp of the fundamentals and that the basics can be applied at any age.

In my fourth year, I studied in the laboratory of Professor Yasushi Masuda, which was in the economics field. Professor Masuda is very observant of people. At the summer lab retreat, three or four students would present on the first day, with more presentations continuing the next day. Of course, I was the leadoff batter. I thought if I finished first, the rest would be easy. However, my presentation on the first day took several hours, and the day ended with just me. Professor Masuda saw through my attempt to just get through it and guided me to deepen my discussion and consideration thoroughly. He always helps students expand their individual learning styles.

Professor Masuda will be retiring in March 2022. I am grateful to have met him and to have been guided by him. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him once again.

Currently, I have founded FinPlanet Inc. and provide a service where a robot gives advice on insurance and asset management.

Yukichi Fukuzawa introduced insurance to Japan, believing it to be the source of human intelligence and dignity. If we can make better use of the power of money through insurance and asset management, we can expand our possibilities. In the world, there are only things that are possible and things that are impossible, and possibilities lie within the impossible. I believe that expanding possibilities is what will build the future of Japan.

Japan is said to have low financial literacy. Solving people's problems and worries about money will lead to solving social issues. There is something that I can do precisely because I have been serious, diligent, and sincere in dealing with customers. I will contribute to society through finance, the field I love and excel at the most. How far can I pursue the spirit of *noblesse oblige*? In 10 years, I want to create a service that makes people say, "Japanese finance changed because of that service from FinPlanet."

Keio University is known for its strong connections even after graduation. After graduating, I joined the Tokyo Mita-kai, which has a permanent facility at the Imperial Hotel. A senior Keio University alumnus I met through the club invested in my company, saying, "If you want to do it, Hasebe, I want to support your passion."

The Faculty of Science and Technology has the "Yagami Prize" for entrepreneurship and startup support, funded by the Alumni Association's Research and Education Encouragement Fund. I was honored to receive the award in fiscal 2018, and Professor Masuda encouraged me, saying, "Please do work that is useful to society."

I don't know if it will be through lectures, scholarships, or something else, but one day I want to contribute to the Juku and become someone who can encourage the next generation.