Executive Director and Executive Chairman Akihide Fukuda Receives Honorary Doctoral Degree in Business Administration at Korea University
Fri, May 11, 2012On May 5, Korea University conferred the Honorary Doctoral Degree in Business Administration upon Mr. Akihide Fukuda, Executive Director for Alumni Relations and Alumni Association and Executive Chairman of Waseda University Alumni Association, in recognition of his contribution to the development of Waseda University and the Japanese society, and in expectation of his leadership to promote mutual exchanges between the two countries.
After graduating from the School of Commerce in Waseda University in 1964, he joined Tobishima Corporation. He has been serving at F-Tech Inc. since 1967, and became President & COO in 1984 and Chairman & CEO in 2002. Reflecting his belief that the Japanese automobile industry will greatly attract global demand in future, the company shifted its main area of business from pressed sheet metal for motorcycles to functional parts for automobiles. His strong commitment to develop the domestic manufacturer to a global company advanced the establishment of overseas offices and factories. The company currently operates 24 offices and factories in other countries, including the United States, the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of the Philippines. Since he joined the company, the number of employees has drastically increased from 50 to 10,000 and the annual turnover from 100 million yen to 200,000 million yen.
His unique management style that has led the company to the success is based on his business philosophy to have “global perspectives, aspiration, and sincerity to produce various values and contribute to the society”, which he learned through Waseda’s Enterprising Spirit. He also served as Chairman of Saitama Association of Corporate Executives and has greatly contributed to the local economy in Saitama Prefecture where the company has its head office.
In Waseda University, he has demonstrated his leadership as Executive Director, Trustee, and a member of Congregation, and also serves as Executive Chairman of the Waseda University Alumni Association. With insight into the importance of collaborating with other alumni associations outside Japan, he has supported various activities based on an agreement for mutual exchange concluded with the Korea University Alumni Association in 2002. In recognition of his outstanding contribution, Waseda University conferred the title of Loyal Donor upon him in 2007.
