The article is a Japanese interview with Yasuhiro (Yasu) Yamakawa, an associate professor at Babson College, conducted for BCN+R’s “千人回峰” series. The conversation, led by interviewer 奥田芳恵, explores Yamakawa’s core belief that “Failure is good,” his teaching of “failure studies” at Babson, and how this philosophy underpins the school’s top‑ranked entrepreneurship education. He explains the cultural contrast between the United States—where failure is more tolerated—and Japan, where failure is still seen as shameful, and argues that normalising failure is essential for fostering a challenge‑driven ecosystem. Yamakawa describes Babson’s pedagogical approach: starting with deep self‑knowledge (“Who am I?”), encouraging action, accepting failure as inevitable, and leveraging collaboration. He distinguishes entrepreneurship education (mindset, compass) from entrepreneurship training (skill‑focused). The interview also outlines his background (Keio Law, Peter Drucker School, Ph.D. from Texas A&M), his roles in Japanese innovation bodies (CIC Japan, Venture Café Tokyo, J‑Startup, MEXT committee), and his efforts to spread the “Failure is good” message through T‑shirts at events. The piece ends with a philosophical note on the “ものづくりの環” (the circle of making, selling, using) that frames the broader media company’s mission.
Topics
Failure is Good: A Core Teaching Philosophy
Yamakawa’s repeated mantra that failure should be celebrated, its role in his lectures, and the resistance he faced when first introducing the phrase.
Cultural Contrast: Failure Tolerance in the US vs. Japan
Discussion of how American startup culture is more forgiving of failure, whereas Japanese society still views failure as shame, and the implications for entrepreneurship ecosystems.
Babson’s Entrepreneurial Mindset Curriculum
The structure of Babson’s entrepreneurship education: self‑knowledge (“Who am I?”), action, acceptance of failure, and collaboration, plus the distinction between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurship training.
Defining Failure: Multiple Metrics and Perspectives
Yamakawa’s view that failure has no single definition; it varies by individual expectations, measurable outcomes (sales, profit) and intangible factors (trust, relationships).
Personal and Professional Background of Yamakawa
Yamakawa’s academic credentials (Keio, Peter Drucker School, Texas A&M), his roles in Japanese innovation institutions, and his publications.
Practical Outreach: “Failure is Good” T‑shirts and Event Advocacy
How Yamakawa spreads the failure‑positive message through branded T‑shirts at CIC Japan, Venture Café Tokyo, and other high‑profile events, emphasizing leadership endorsement.
Entrepreneurial Action Rules: Try, Fail, Collaborate
The three guiding principles Yamakawa teaches: act to learn, accept failure as normal, and involve others to amplify impact.