We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming IESE event in Tokyo — an evening that will once again bring together alumni, friends, and business leaders from Japan and beyond. It’s a special occasion to reconnect, exchange ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
We look forward to hosting a distinguished guest speaker, Mr. Yukio Kani, Global CEO and Chair at JERA, who will join Prof. Franz Heukamp (AMP-06), Dean of IESE Business School, for an in-depth fireside chat on leadership and global business transformation. Drawing from Kani-san's leadership experiences, the discussion will explore lessons in leadership and vision in today’s evolving landscape.
18:30 Welcome and registrations
19:00 Opening welcome by Junichi Kagaya
19:05 Opening remarks by Dean Franz Heukamp
19:20 Fireside chat with Mr. Yukio Kani
20:00 Q&A
20:30 Cocktail reception
21:30 Adjourn
This event is more than a reunion — it’s a moment to reflect, connect, and celebrate the shared values of leadership and service that unite the IESE community.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Yukio Kani has served as Global CEO and Chair of JERA since April 2023. His primary responsibilities involve driving the globalization of the organization, fostering stronger relationships with business partners, and creating a diverse and open culture. His deep experience in LNG, renewables, and hydrogen/ammonia plays a pivotal role in the company’s global collaboration and talent utilization.
In his previous role as the Head of JERA’s Business Development Division, Yukio was leading the launch of its renewable energy and hydrogen ammonia businesses, in addition to LNG. He also served as Chief Strategy Officer, where he developed its Mission/Vision and the framework for business strategy, and led the establishment of JERA Global Markets, the company’s global fuel trading arm.
With over 30 years of experience in LNG, including a significant tenure at Tokyo Electric Power where he advanced the company’s first LNG carrier ownership and upstream investment projects, Kani has been instrumental in constructing the LNG value chain. This foundation allowed him to envision the establishment of a global energy enterprise, contributing significantly to the creation of JERA, a joint venture between TEPCO and Chubu Electric Power.
Kani holds a degree in Economics from Aoyama Gakuin University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.