On October 14, 2025, GLOBIS hosted Professor Ulrike Schaede of the University of California San Diego, for a strategic seminar at GLOBIS Hall in Tokyo. The session explored a new perspective on Japan’s so-called “lost decades,” highlighting how many Japanese companies transformed their business models to focus on specialized, high-value technologies.

During the seminar, Professor Schaede introduced the concept of the “Mainoumi Strategy,” drawing inspiration from the legendary sumo wrestler known for defeating larger opponents through skill and strategy. She explained how many Japanese firms shifted away from low-margin mass assembly to focus on higher-value activities such as research and development, advanced materials, and specialized components.

Professor Schaede also discussed the “Diet + α” approach, a framework for corporate resilience that combines strategic streamlining with cultural transformation. By exiting generic markets while investing in innovation and specialized capabilities, companies can strengthen their long-term competitiveness.

The discussion highlighted Japan’s often unseen leadership in global supply chains. In hundreds of niche product categories, from semiconductors to medical technologies, Japanese companies hold significant global market share and play a foundational role in advanced manufacturing worldwide.