Waseda University hosted the Japan preliminary round of the HSBC Business Case Competition for the first time on Saturday, April 26, 2025. This national qualifier selects a team to represent Japan at the annual HSBC/HKU Asia Pacific Business Case Competition held each summer in Hong Kong. Two teams from Waseda’s Global Management Program (GMP) participated in the spirited and intellectually demanding competition alongside teams from other universities in Japan. The GMP also collaborated with HSBC in organizing the event, contributing to successful execution of the Japan preliminary round.
This year’s competition brought together five teams from four universities: Hosei University, Keio University, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), and Waseda University (two teams). Each team, composed of four students, was given limited time to analyze a business case and formulate a strategic proposal.
Coffee Session
The event began with a casual coffee session where participants, judges, and HSBC representatives mingled and connected in a relaxed atmosphere. Following this, the semifinal round took place. The business case centered on a long-established Hong Kong brand with over a century of history, asking how it might build a sustainable business while balancing tradition with evolving consumer preferences. The teams received the case on Thursday evening and had approximately 24 hours to prepare their presentations, which were delivered on Saturday morning. Each team gave a 20-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session and 8 minutes of feedback from the judges. The teams’ calm and composed responses to the judges’ sharp questions reflected their thorough preparation for the day.
A Semifinal Presentation
Three teams from the semifinal round advanced to the final: APU and both Waseda teams. When the results were announced, participants’ faces showed a mix of nervousness and joy, and the atmosphere quickly shifted toward focused preparation for the final challenge.
During the lunch session, representatives from HSBC gave a talk introducing career opportunities at the company. For students aspiring to international careers, it was a rare opportunity to gain direct insight into working at a global financial institution.
Lunch Session
All electronic devices were prohibited in the afternoon final round, requiring participants to tackle the case using only pen and paper. Drawing on the philosophy of the Pasona Group, a major Japanese staffing company, the case asked how to make Awaji Island the most livable island in the world. Yasuyuki Nambu, the company’s founder and former president, not only built a successful business in human resource services but also played a key role in revitalization efforts after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and has long worked on solutions to rural depopulation in Japan. Based on Pasona’s values and experiences, teams were asked to propose revitalization strategies for the island, addressing multiple areas including nature, culture, education, and agriculture. With just two and a half hours to brainstorm and handwrite their presentation materials, teams had to draw on creativity, teamwork, and time management.
Waseda Team Working on the Case
While the finalist teams worked on the case, the other participants, judges, and HSBC representatives joined a guided campus tour of Waseda University. Some visitors shared stories about how the campus had changed since their last visit, and for the GMP student guides, it was also a chance to rediscover the history and distinctive character of their university. The tour provided a meaningful opportunity for students and professionals, who rarely interact in everyday settings, to connect in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
Group Photo from the Campus Tour
After the tour, the final presentations were held in a large conference room filled with attendees. Each team took the stage in turn to present their proposal, followed by a Q&A session. Despite the limited preparation time, the presentations were of impressively high quality.
A Final Presentation
In the final rankings, APU took first place, followed by Waseda University Team B in second and Team A in third. As the champion, the APU team earned the right to represent Japan at the HSBC/HKU Asia Pacific Business Case Competition 2025.
Champion Team: APU
The event concluded with a closing party at the RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo, where participants and judges shared reflections in a relaxed setting. Students actively sought feedback from judges with real-world business experience, eager to learn from their insights.
Group Photo of Waseda Team Members and Faculty at the RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo
For GMP students, the competition provided a valuable opportunity to test their skills and recognize their potential for growth. Competing on equal footing with students from other universities with diverse backgrounds was an enriching experience that will surely inspire them in their future learning and challenges. Looking ahead, Waseda University will continue to work closely with HSBC to host this competition again next year and provide even more students with opportunities to challenge themselves and grow.
