Former Tokyo Gas Manager Kenji Akune Lectures on Fostering Independence in Leadership
Kenji Akune, the former manager of the Tokyo Gas baseball team and former president of FC Tokyo, delivered a lecture titled 'Let's stand on a tree and watch it - Coaching that brings out independence' at the 251st Mainichi 21st Century Forum. The event took place on April 16, 2026, at the Hotel Hankyu International in Kita Ward, Osaka, attended by approximately 140 business professionals. Akune drew upon his successful tenure at FC Tokyo, where he led the club from J2 back to J1 and won the Emperor's Cup within a year, to illustrate his management philosophy. He emphasized that achieving such results required fostering 'independence' among team members, encouraging them to think and act autonomously through coaching techniques like answering questions and verbalizing thoughts. Akune advised the audience to practice patient listening, empathize with subordinates, and avoid immediate denial of their ideas. His core message highlighted that effective coaching helps subordinates grow into independent individuals, ultimately creating a unified and strong organization. The lecture served as a platform for inter-industry exchange, focusing on applying sports management principles to broader business contexts.
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Former Tokyo Gas Manager Kenji Akune Lectures on Fostering Independence in Leadership
Kenji Akune, the former manager of the Tokyo Gas baseball team and former president of FC Tokyo, delivered a lecture titled 'Let's stand on a tree and watch it - Coaching that brings out independence' at the 251st Mainichi 21st Century Forum. The event took place on April 16, 2026, at the Hotel Hankyu International in Kita Ward, Osaka, attended by approximately 140 business professionals. Akune drew upon his successful tenure at FC Tokyo, where he led the club from J2 back to J1 and won the Emperor's Cup within a year, to illustrate his management philosophy. He emphasized that achieving such results required fostering 'independence' among team members, encouraging them to think and act autonomously through coaching techniques like answering questions and verbalizing thoughts. Akune advised the audience to practice patient listening, empathize with subordinates, and avoid immediate denial of their ideas. His core message highlighted that effective coaching helps subordinates grow into independent individuals, ultimately creating a unified and strong organization. The lecture served as a platform for inter-industry exchange, focusing on applying sports management principles to broader business contexts.
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