The Institute for Strategic Leadership (ISL), a not-for-profit organization established in 2000, is the parent-organization of Shizenkan.

ISL aims to produce next-generation Japanese leaders who can take initiatives to realize a new socio-economic system and corporate/organization models that balance freedom and social order as well as private and public interests. Its activities consist of three pillars: provision of world-leading whole-person education programs, creation of inspiring communities, and initiatives that contribute to people and society.

→ Visit ISL’s website

Whole-person Management Education

ISL is working to develop leaders who will take on the challenge of change and innovation, without regard to for-profit or not-for-profit, public or private sectors, in order to make Japan and the world a better place. Based on the idea that “MBA knowledge and skills are important, but they alone do not make a true leader” and that “the requirements for a leader are to have a broad perspective as an independent  individual and to be able to spread a ripple of empathy to people and organizations,” it has developed and provided a unique, whole-person education program that invites participants to continuously reflect and explore their own ways of living and thinking as a leader, along with their values and philosophy as an individual, which underly the way they use knowledge and skills. Learn more… (ISL website)

Creation of Inspiring Communities

By organizing communities where its corporate members, alumni, faculty and supporters get together, ISL stimulates further growth of each individual towards whole-person leadership as well as collaboration and co-creation among them across generations, sectors, or regions. Learn more… (ISL website)

Social Innovation Center

In 2008, it was established within ISL as a platform for discovering, developing and supporting social innovators (social entrepreneurs, community entrepreneurs) who are taking on the challenge of finding sustainable solutions to the economic and social issues facing the world, Japan and local communities, using approaches that have never been seen before. Learn more… (ISL website)