Building “Director Power” with BDTI

Our History

The Board Director Training Institute of Japan (BDTI) was established in 2009. Founder and Executive Director, Nicholas Benes, advocated the introduction of the Corporate Governance Code (CGC) in 2013. Since its establishment, BDTI has been working with the mission of contributing to the sound and sustainable development of companies and the economy by improving the corporate governance of Japan companies, and this philosophy is deeply in line with the basic spirit of CGC.

Many top leaders, both in Japan and overseas, agree with the purpose of BDTI and support us in a variety of ways as advisors, collaborators, and donors.

Our Mission

“To establish ‘effective governance’ for the next generation by developing Japan’s economy and providing enhanced executive training for both insiders and outsiders.” This was our mission when we founded BDTI. With the expertise of having taught more than 3,900 people to date, we will create new courses and contribute to raising the level of corporate management and its oversight to ensure business sustainability while increasing corporate value.

The Corporate Governance Code

The principles of the Corporate Governance Code state that companies should provide and arrange for training and other activities so that directors and auditors can continuously acquire and update the knowledge and skills necessary to properly fulfill their roles.

▶ Click here for [Principle 4-14. Training of Directors and Statutory Auditors].

Thoughts on Corporate Governance Reform

BDTI Representative Director Kenichi Osugi and Executive Director (Founder) Nicholas Benes discuss the background of BDTI’s establishment and the importance of corporate governance. This valuable dialogue discusses the challenges and prospects for sustainable growth of Japanese companies.

１． Self Introduction

Benes: My name is Nicholas Benes, Executive Director of BDTI, and after obtaining my MBA and US law license, I joined J.P. Morgan’s investment banking division, where I worked for 11 years on a variety of assignments and deals. After that, I started my own firm in Japan specializing in M&A advisory services, and I have been in Japan for 29 years. I have also served, and continue to serve, as an outside director of several companies, both listed and unlisted, including on Livedoor’s board post-scandal.

Osugi: I am Kenichi Osugi, also a Representative Director, and I became a Representative Director in 2013 from a non-representative director. At Chuo University Law School, I teach commercial and corporate law to students who wish to become legal professionals, while conducting research mainly in the areas of corporate law, corporate governance, and financial instruments and exchange law.

２． Purpose of Establishing BDTI
Benes: Since the collapse of the bubble economy, Japan’s economic growth has remained sluggish. Furthermore, the budget deficit has ballooned as the economy has been hollowed out due to a shrinking population and the offshore transfer of manufacturing. The road to economic revival is not an easy one.

▶ Click here to read the full dialogue.

Activity

BDTI’s activities are organized around three main pillars:

1. Open Training
Strengthen the “executive skills” that directors should have through step-by-step training from basic to practical, which is held monthly.

2. e-Learning
Basic knowledge of governance and corporate management is acquired through online courses that can be taken regardless of time or location.

3. Programs for Individual Firms
Customized training designed to meet the needs of each company, helping to strengthen governance systems and improve the skills of board members.

Board of Directors

They have led the development of corporate governance in Japan, including those who were deeply involved in the formulation of the Corporate Governance Code and experts who have been involved in the design of the system as members of the FSA’s “Study Group on Corporate Governance Systems. They have extensive experience as directors and auditors of listed companies, as well as research and practical experience in the field of governance, and have deep knowledge in both theory and practice. Please see the following pages for their biographies.

View Board of Directors and Auditors

Our Supporters

Individuals, institutional investors, and organizations that donate to and support our organization are deeply committed to our philosophy and purpose of contributing to the enhancement of the competitiveness of Japanese companies and the development of the Japanese economy by improving the quality of decision-making in Japan’s boards of directors and realizing sound and sustainable corporate governance. We thank you for your continued support. We would like to express our sincere appreciation for your continued and generous support.

View Our Supporters