Remembering Ikujiro Nonaka

Remembering Ikujiro Nonaka

It is with profound sorrow that I share the news of the passing of Professor Emeritus Ikujiro Nonaka on January 25, 2025 at the age of 89, a seminal figure in the field of knowledge management and a founding member of ICS who had a profound impact on our academic, professional, and personal journeys.

Professor Nonaka (Jiro) spent most of his academic career at ICS, and until recently, academics, business leaders, and the media visited his office to learn from him. Jiro was developing his theory of innovation around the concept of dynamic duality and published a book in November by Nikkei (in Japanese). His work has influenced various academic fields, innovation, organization, leadership, project management, to name a few.

Professor Hirotaka Takeuchi, founding dean of ICS, spoke at the Dean's Guest Speaker Series on January 22 about how Jiro's theory of knowledge creation has influenced the ICS curriculum, The "Best of Two Worlds" mission, our emphasis on experiencing reality (tacit knowledge), and leading with purpose.

I can confidently say that there is no one who has spent time at ICS without encountering his seminal ideas, be it the SECI model, tacit knowledge, phronesis, or wise leadership.

As we reflect on his immense legacy, I invite you to honor his memory by sharing how his ideas have inspired your work and your life. Together, let us celebrate the extraordinary impact of a scholar, mentor, and visionary whose influence will guide us for years to come.


With heartfelt condolences,

Prof. Emi Osono
Dean, Hitotsubashi ICS
Hitotsubashi University Business School,
School of International Corporate Strategy