Training - Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the "Governance School", "Advanced Director School" and "Role Play"?
A. Governance School is designed primarily for executive officers, those in charge of governance, and new directors (both internal and external). However, we often receive feedback that even experienced directors have much to gain, and CGC also notes the importance of continuous update opportunities. Advanced Director School is designed for outside directors and auditors who have already attended the Governance School or have basic knowledge equivalent to the Governance School. However, the course is also beneficial to internal participants and can be taken by them as well. Case Role Play is recommended for outside directors and board of directors’ secretariats.
Q. What are the specifics of the "Governance School", "Advanced Director School" and "Role Play" training programs?
The Advanced Director School covers practical themes essential for effective boardroom performance, including strategic advice and oversight, CEO appointment and removal, compensation decisions, and activist shareholder engagement. Participants gain concrete understanding of directors’ roles and responsibilities while experiencing real-world case studies and challenges through simulated board discussions.
Case Role Play course is a case-based executive training program designed by BDTI using actual incidents as motifs, where participants engage in role-playing. Participants will be assigned a role to play and think about how they would behave and what they would say at a board meeting. After the role play, participants will elucidate what was appropriate for discussion at the board meeting.
Q. Is it possible to take the "Advanced Director School" if I have not taken the "Governance Juku"?
A． Generally, completion of the Governance School covering fundamental knowledge for directors is required. You must have already completed the “Governance School”. However, if you have basic knowledge of the difference between an executive officer and an executive director, the difference between the three institutional designs, the nature of internal control, the meaning of “delegation of authority” under the Companies Act, and the fear of the FIEA, please contact us.
Q. Can I participate even if I am not a corporate member?
A．Non-members are welcome to participate. Corporate members receive a 30% discount on participation fees for the Governance School, Advanced Director School, Case & Roleplay, and English Boot Camp. e-Learning courses are also available at a preferential rate. Additionally, corporate members receive discounted participation fees for executives and employees of subsidiaries within the same corporate group. Institutional investors who become corporate members can also enroll executives and employees of their portfolio companies at discounted rates. For membership details, please see here.
Q. Who is suitable for participation?
The Governance School is ideal for those newly appointed as directors or executive officers who are unsure where to begin their studies. It is also for those already serving as directors or executive officers who wish to revisit and deepen their understanding of their responsibilities. For those seeking to reaffirm the background necessitating compliance, governance codes, and stewardship codes. For those aiming to enhance corporate value and, as executive officers, wish to strengthen the execution and innovation capabilities of their business and organization. BDTI’s training prioritizes practical applicability, incorporating extensive advice from experienced professionals and concrete case studies. Its primary focus is to provide clear guidance on how to act.
The Advanced Director School is ideal for those seeking to deepen their understanding of corporate governance as outside directors. While BDTI does not necessarily consider it ideal, compared to executive directors who manage day-to-day operations, outside directors tend to be expected to contribute more significantly to corporate governance. Individuals who are contemplating questions such as “What are our company’s governance challenges?” and “How can I personally contribute to the board?” are well-suited for this program.
Q. Is there any pre-assignment?
A. All trainings have pre-training assignments, and BDTI encourages participants to actively ask questions and speak up. Please read and prepare the handouts in advance to lead to a lively discussion. Opinion sharing on the day of training is similar in some respects to board meeting discussions. Please make full use of the discussion on the day of the training as an opportunity to develop your “executive power.
Q. Is there a certificate of attendance for the training?
A. You will receive it after the training.
Q. Is there a deadline for applications?
A. As a rule, the deadline is 10 days in advance. However, BDTI’s training programs are very popular and often fill up long before the deadline, so early registration is recommended. If your company has not yet decided who will attend, but would like to reserve a seat, please contact us at Please contact the secretariat Please contact the secretariat.
Q. Can you tell us about the companies that have participated in the past?
A．Over 4500 people have participated in BDTI training since its inception. For a list of participating companies (just a few) click here for a list of participating companies (just a few).
Q. I am considering applying for more than one person from the same company.
A. BDTI’s training sessions are held in small groups (maximum 20 participants). We also value the different perspectives that can be gained by bringing together people from various backgrounds in other schools, such as Governance Juku and Gaidori Juku. If more than 5 participants from a single company are available, we will hold the training at a date and venue of your choice. Individual Company Training If more than 5 participants from one company are available, we offer “Individual Company Training” at a date and venue of your choice.
Q. I'm wondering what kind of corporate training topics I should implement.
A. After a thorough hearing of your company’s situation and on-site problems directly from BDTI representatives, we will find out the essence of the issues, set the objectives and themes of the training, and make proposals. We will consult with you on whether other types of training are better, whether individual company training is more suitable, and whether subjects such as compliance and human resource strategy should also be incorporated. First, please contact us by sending us an Contact us Please contact us for more information.
Q. How many people can participate in individual company training?
A. Since BDTI’s training emphasizes discussion, a maximum of about 12 people would be appropriate. If the number of participants is larger (15 or more), the training can be held on different days. Individual company training can be limited to members of your own organization, so it is possible to deepen the discussion more specifically based on the current situation. Once Contact us Please contact us for more information.
Q. Is it possible to take just one e-learning course?
A. The e-learning program is a set of 4 courses: “Corporate Law”, “Financial Instruments and Exchange Act”, “Corporate Governance (Basic)”, and “Corporate Governance (Practical)”. The content is very rich, and all courses can be repeated throughout the duration of the course. It takes approximately 9 hours to take the entire course.
Q. What is the Director Bank?
A．The Director Bank is a matching platform connecting corporations seeking director candidates with BDTI director training participants looking for director positions. Registration with the Director Bank is free, but completion of BDTI’s director training is required.
Inquiries about training
Tel: 03-6432-2337
Email: info@bdti.or.jp