Since its launch in 2019, the NYK Digital Academy — an innovative in-house training program by the NYK Group — has been cultivating unique business ideas through unconventional thinking.

Now in its ninth cohort, which commenced in May at NYK Line’s headquarters in Tokyo, the program continues to empower employees from NYK Line and its Group companies to reimagine new business opportunities.*

* From 2019 to 2021, the program was held twice a year; since 2022, it has been offered annually. Select sessions are open to external participants.

“Let’s enjoy learning together!” With this cheerful rallying cry from Naotaka Ishizawa, the NYK Digital Academy President, the session began with self-introductions from the 13 participants and an orientation outlining the nine-month journey ahead, as well as the purpose and mission of the Academy.

Participants, drawn to the Academy for various reasons — be it the desire to break from routine, collaborate on novel projects, or simply follow their gut instinct — soon relaxed in the light-hearted, humorous atmosphere fostered by NYK Digital Academy President Ishizawa.

The Academy’s multifaceted program — comprising lectures, bootcamp, and hands-on field works — aims to teach innovation-driven thinking and foster a mindset for launching new businesses.

According to NYK Digital Academy President Ishizawa, “You don’t need to study intensely. What’s important is to experience something out of the ordinary. I want you to approach this like a refreshing trip to a hot spring.”

Founded in October 2019, the NYK Digital Academy is a unique training initiative by NYK Line. In an era of growing uncertainty — marked by events like the Lehman Shock and the COVID-19 pandemic — it’s essential to cultivate business leaders who can create new value for customers and society. The Academy aims to develop talent through three components: lectures, short-term overseas bootcamp, and field work, all while enriching participants’ everyday lives.

A key feature of the program is the field work, where participants acquire essential business literacy by actively engaging in the creation of new businesses. These field works cover leadership, team building, organizational governance, cross-industry collaboration, corporate strategy, marketing, accounting, finance, data science, and innovation methods.

Unlike traditional business schools or online programs, the Academy provides real-world experiences that enable participants to reflect on their goals and advance professionally. Many participants have reported transformative outcomes, such as gaining clarity on career aspirations, maturing as business professionals, and becoming reliable figures for colleagues and clients alike.

One of the Academy’s defining features is its two-month lecture series combining business fundamentals (strategy, marketing, finance) with liberal arts subjects such as behavioral economics, mathematical sciences, literature, and art.

You might ask, “Why liberal arts?” But at the Academy, liberal arts are not just about acquiring knowledge — they are catalysts for sparking new ideas.

For example, in the lecture “The History of Beauty and Business,” participants explore how art evolved from symmetrical expressions aimed at promoting social stability in ancient times to dynamic forms (contrapposto) and eventually to deeply personal and conceptual works. The course illustrates how art has transcended its traditional boundaries to inspire technology and innovation.

Such an interdisciplinary approach helps break down conventional barriers between industries and fosters the emergence of fresh business ideas.

At the Academy, design thinking — a key to innovation — is cultivated through short-term training camps in Singapore and the Philippines. All materials and discussions are in English, but group work ensures that even those less confident in the language can participate comfortably.

In Singapore, participants take short courses at Singapore Management University (SMU), while in the Philippines, they attend a bootcamp at the NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA), a merchant marine university jointly operated by NYK Line and Transnational Diversified Group, Inc. These immersive experiences not only enhance language proficiency but also broaden thinking and creativity through diverse interactions. “Fun is guaranteed!” emphasizes NYK Digital Academy President Ishizawa.

From August to February of the following year, participants engage in a six-month field workphase. They form groups of 3–4 and choose their own themes to tackle new business creation. The Academy defines new business as “delivering entirely different value to entirely different customers using your own resources.”

Past projects have included space-related ventures that contribute to efficient rocket launches. Interestingly, working on new businesses also deepens understanding of existing ones.
It’s important to note that not every participant is expected to launch a business within the limited timeframe. The primary goal is to gain valuable experiences through earnest engagement in cross-departmental collaboration.

NYK Line’s space business was born from the NYK Digital Academy
NYK's Challenge: Pioneering Innovation Through Engagement in Space-related Businesses | BVTL Magazine | NYK Line
NYK's Challenge: Sparking Innovation Through Participation in Space-related businesses | BVTL Magazine | NYK Line

The ninth cohort comprises 13 participants from NYK Line and its domestic and international Group companies, representing a diverse range of ages, nationalities, and departments. Notably, one participant is joining remotely from NYK Line (China) Co. Ltd. in Shanghai.

This rich diversity fosters collaboration across departments and helps participants tackle challenges and new ventures — experiences that will surely benefit them after graduation.

Forget the stiff image of a typical corporate seminar. The NYK Digital Academy is refreshingly different. NYK Digital Academy President Ishizawa’s lectures are humorous and fast-paced, keeping participants engaged throughout.

The program features distinguished lecturers, including NYK Digital Academy President Ishizawa, who has led digital business initiatives at NYK; Nobuhiro Yamamoto, CEO of N-Alliance; Professor Katsuhiro Nishinari from the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo; and Nobuhiko Watanabe, COO of STYLY, Inc. and professor at the Graduate School of Project Design. These renowned experts stimulate intellectual curiosity through their creative insights.

Positive feedback is encouraged through the “Yes, and!” approach, which boosts motivation, productivity, stress resilience, and creativity, while also building confidence and enthusiasm among participants.

During the eighth cohort, held from May 2024 to February 2025, the program achieved its highest-ever satisfaction rate of 98.75%.

Participants shared a range of positive feedback, noting that they learned a great deal during the overseas bootcamp , appreciated the balance between lectures and hands-on field works that allowed them to effectively apply what they had learned, and enjoyed the open, cross-departmental conversations that sparked curiosity and collaboration.

Because the scale of the new business projects is compact, participants can efficiently experience the entire process — from developing business strategies and conducting market research to crafting marketing plans, executing sales initiatives, ensuring compliance with human rights and legal standards, and managing finance and accounting. This immersive approach makes the Academy an ideal environment for practically applying the knowledge gained from books and videos.

While the primary goal of the Academy is to cultivate business leaders who can deliver new value to society, one of its greatest appeals lies in the extraordinary encounters and experiences it offers. These opportunities, which may be scarce in day-to-day work, can be truly transformative, helping participants evolve into more capable and confident professionals.

Shinichiro Kaizaki
The lectures at the NYK Digital Academy are structured around various liberal arts perspectives, making each session highly educational. NYK Digital Academy President Ishizawa’s talks are engaging, and I often find myself thinking, “I never expected this theme to be approached from that angle!” — which makes me look forward to every class.

In the latter half of the curriculum, there’s a field work period where participants get to take on the challenge of launching a new business. I find this part especially appealing, as it not only sparks interest in various social issues but also helps us develop the qualities needed to become business leaders.

Sakiko Iwasa
My perspective is expanding rapidly. For example, while I had practical knowledge of finance and accounting, However, I had never considered their historical background or their impact on industrial development. In the second lecture, titled “Finance and Accounting as Social Innovation,” I learned how these fields have contributed to societal transformation. It completely changed the way I view them.

These thought-provoking lectures help me see things from multiple angles, which I find fascinating. In addition to the lectures, we have access to reference books and platforms like Speeda and NewsPicks, allowing us to explore a wide range of information beyond the maritime industry. This has broadened my world and made the experience incredibly meaningful.

What I find especially exciting about the NYK Digital Academy is the opportunity to actually take on the challenge of creating a new business. Sometimes we even collaborate and exchange ideas with people outside the company, which I find very rewarding. I haven’t yet figured out what I want to do or what I can do, but I’m excited to discover seeds of new business ideas through the lectures and field works, and to nurture them in collaboration with others.

Naoki Nishizawa
From the initial guidance session to lectures on business management and finance, I’ve been absorbing knowledge across a wide range of fields. But these aren’t your typical textbook-style classes. Why is storytelling so important in business management? Why is the mechanism of innovation embedded in finance and accounting? The lectures unravel and reconstruct concepts from various perspectives — left brain and right brain, emotion and logic, past and future. I’m constantly amazed by the depth of the sessions.

The heart of the NYK Digital Academy is said to lie in the “personal history” segment, which uses a proprietary method not shared outside the program. Listening to other participants’ personal histories makes me realize that everyone has their own unique journey — no two lives are the same.

I joined NYK as a mid-career hire at the end of last year, coming from a background in digital marketing and finance, with no prior connection to the shipping industry. Yet here, people from different companies, departments, roles, and experiences come together with the shared goal of creating new businesses. I think that openness and inclusivity are what make this program truly special.

Because the Digital Academy has produced many innovations — including a space-related venture— some may assume it’s an overly demanding program. That’s a misconception. In fact, many participants say it’s easy to balance with work and express enthusiasm about joining again.

Its reputation as a “low-stress leadership training” has attracted attention from companies and universities in Japan and abroad. The program has expanded to Mitsubishi Group companies and partnered with institutions like SMU and Miriam College (Philippines).

Notably, the Singapore bootcamp is officially recognized as an adult training program by SMU, and participants receive a certificate upon completion.

Another highlight is the strong camaraderie among participants. Whether you’re new to the company or have recently transferred departments, the Academy provides an excellent platform to build your network.

The NYK Digital Academy is one of NYK Line’s most exciting opportunities for growing into a resilient business leader.