On November 24, 2021, VJU’s Master’s program in Business Administration (http://mba.vju.ac.vn/) held a special online seminar with Mizuho Bank Vietnam on “Career Development Theory and Recent Changes in Human Resource Strategy of Japanese Companies”.
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The guest speaker of the seminar was Mr. Keita Matsunami, Country Head of Vietnam, General Manager of Mizuho Bank Hanoi Branch. Before his appointment in Vietnam, Mr. Matsunami used to be General Manager of the Human Resources Department at the Mizuho Bank Head Office in Tokyo.
Japan’s unique human resources system contributed significantly to its remarkable postwar economic growth and rise to become one of the world’s leading economic powers. After briefly introducing himself and the overview of Mizuho Bank, Mr. Matsunami explained the Japanese-style HR management system, known as the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan. This system is called “membership style” including Seniority system, Lifetime employment, and Labor union organized on a company basis.
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However, the emergence of megatrends (Declining birthrate and aging society, digitalization, globalization) has put the Japanese HR system at a turning point. It is no exception for Mizuho Bank to respond quickly to the changes while preserving the good points of the previous system.
Mr. Matsunami analyzed the necessity of new HR development based on customers’ needs and changes in employers’ consciousness. He emphasized the importance of cross-border HR strategy and building Global Organizational Governance as globalization leads to diverse customer needs. Also, digital transformation requires employers to adapt quickly with a flexible and speedy system while the emergence of “Millennials” calls for the maximization of HR capacity by providing staff opportunities to learn and take on challenges. These are also the changes that Mizuho Bank is applying to its HR strategy.
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Finally, Mr. Matsunami explained the career development theory that underpins the new HR strategy of Mizuho Bank. He introduced Edgar Schein’s career anchors which employees can utilize in career planning by recognizing their preferences for certain areas in their job. Another theory he discussed in the seminar is called planned happenstance. According to this theory, the career process is an accidental happening and it embraces the characteristics of curiosity, persistence, flexibility, optimism, and risk-taking.
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During the seminar, Mr. Matsunami introduced to VJU students many good books related to the topic, and MBA students had a valuable opportunity to learn about the unique HR systems of Japanese companies as well as Mizuho Bank. They also proposed their interest in the job opportunities in Mizuho Bank Hanoi Branch. Mr. Matsunami said that Mizuho Bank is having an expansion plan in Vietnam and he warmly welcomed outstanding students to work at the bank.
Photo session to wrap up the seminar:
Student’s report (MBA website)
VJU MEDIA
