Organization

The Forum consists of six layers;

  1. Executive Committee
    Membership consists of Chairman / CEO / President of top business / University / Institute.
  2. Council
    Chairman, Vice-chairman, selected members and Executive Director.
  3. Steering Committee
    Membership represents businesses, universities and governmental bodies and is selected by the Executive Committee.
  4. Study Group
    Members of the Study Groups are selected by the Steering Committee from businesses/ universities/governmental bodies and other relevant fields, both in Japan and abroad.
  5. The Executive Program Committee for the international meeting and symposium
    Members are selected by the Executive Committee.
  6. The Program Committee for the international meeting and symposium
    Members are selected by the Steering Committee.

Members

  • The Member List of Executive Committee (The list is currently being updated.)
  • The Member List of Steering Committee (The list is currently being updated.)

Finance

BUF is finances by annual fees from corporate members.

History

Date of Establishment: December 25th, 1992

Chairman:

Makoto Gonokami (June 2020 – present) President, RIKEN and The 30th President of The University of Tokyo
Fujio Cho (July 2013 – June 2020)  Chairman of the Board, Toyota Motor Corporation
Hiroshi Komiyama (July 2009 – July 2013)  Chairman of the Institute, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc
Shoichiro Toyoda (August 2004 – July 2009) Honorary Chairman, Toyota Motor Corp.
Hiroyuki Yoshikawa (March 1999 – August 2004) President, The Open Univ. of Japan
Gaishi Hiraiwa (June 1995 – March 1998)  Counselor, The Tokyo Electric Power Company Inc.,Honorary Chairman, Japan Federation of Economic Organizations
Jiro Kondo (December 1992 – June 1995) President, The Science Council of Japan

<Title at the assumption of chairman>

Study Groups

Current:
Liberal Arts Study Group

Previous:
21st Century Vision for Society/University and Business Cooperation in Education/International Issues in Asia/Committee on International Qualification Standards for Engineers/Business World’s View on University Education/ An Environmental Education/ The Business-University Collaboration Promotion/Educational Methods in an Knowledge Based Society/ An Innovation Cluster/Visa Issues etc.

Sister Forum

Business Higher Education Forum (BHEF, US)

BUF Executives

BUF Executives
(May 2021-present)		  
Chairman Makoto Gonokami (President, RIKEN and The 30th President of The University of Tokyo)
Vice Chairman

Mutsuhiro Arinobu (President of Eikei University of Hiroshima)

Hideo Ohno  (Executive Adviser , Tohoku University )
Council

Kazuhiko Ishimura  (President and CEO, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) )

Satoru Katsuno （Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chubu Electric Power Co.,Inc. )

Akiyoshi Koji  (Honorary Chairman, Asahi Group Holdings,Ltd )

Koichiro Watanabe (Senior advisor, The Dai-ichi life insurance company,limited )
Adviser

Hiroshi Komiyama (Chairman of the Institute, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.)
Hiroyuki Yoshikawa (Special Counselor to the President, Japan Science and Technology Agency)

BUF Office 

BUF Office  
Executive Director

Satoshi Kohara (July 2009- present)

Shuzaburo Takeda (December 1992 – July 2009)
Assistant

Rina Ito

Rumiko Ohashi