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On September 25, Waseda University invited Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn to its campus for a panel discussion with students on leadership, diversity, and Japan. Approximately 1,000 students attended the event at the historic Okuma Auditorium.

Hosted by the School of Commerce, the event was part of an initiative by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association to foster interest in automobiles among the youth. The event also commemorated the tenth year since Waseda awarded Ghosn an honorary doctorate.

The event opened with a discussion on ‘ningenryoku,’ which roughly translates to ‘human potential’ or ‘human competence.’

In response to a question from a student on leadership, Ghosn said, “No one is perfect. A leader must constantly search for things to improve in his or her environment.”

One student asked Ghosn, “As a CEO, do you show your true self? Or are you showing a character that you have created?” in which Ghosn replied, “Everything you see is real. No one can fake it for long. I believe your chances of success depend on your actions and how you approach your situation.”

When asked about Japanese people’s strengths, Ghosn said, “Japanese people are capable of quickly adapting to their environment and refining things over a long and thorough process.” When asked about their weaknesses, Ghosn said, “Strengths are weaknesses and weaknesses are strengths. Japanese people are capable of adapting to their environment, but when a complex situation arises, there are few who are willing to take charge and lead.”

In his discussion with students, Ghosn passionately spoke about the importance of identifying and addressing problems. He stated that society is looking for individuals who are capable of looking at a situation objectively and pursuing lofty goals without fear of failure.

The event closed with a Q&A session in which students asked Ghosn questions about his management philosophy, his future, and the future of automobile technology.