Shizenkan University is pleased to announce the appointments of Professor Junko Edahiro and Adjunct Professor Nalin Advani as Vice Presidents, effective August 2025.
On the occasion of their appointments, Chair of Board of Trustees and President, Tomoyoshi Noda remarked:
“Professor Edahiro has been deeply involved in Shizenkan’s educational mission since its founding, contributing significantly through her continued teaching of multiple courses. Beyond her esteemed reputation as an environmental activist and her extensive publication record, her values and character resonate strongly with the philosophy of Shizenkan. I am confident that she is an ideal choice for the role of Vice President.
Adjunct Professor Advani, who has taught courses on AI and technology, brings extensive professional experience in the tech field and a wide-reaching international network. As Shizenkan enters its ‘third founding phase,’ we are committed to deepening our ties with Asia, particularly India and evolving into a Pan-Asian university. I believe Professor Advani will play a pivotal role in advancing our global strategy.”
Message from Vice President Junko Edahiro
“I am honored to have been appointed as Vice President of Shizenkan University. For over 25 years, I have worked on environmental and sustainability issues. These experiences have led me to believe that a shift toward an economy that values the Earth, society, and humanity is inevitable. Since Shizenkan’s founding, I have been engaged in teaching based on this belief.
In an era of unprecedented uncertainty, where the impacts of climate change and other human activities are exceeding planetary limits, I believe Shizenkan’s philosophy and practices are more relevant than ever. Through teaching systems thinking, sustainability, Eastern philosophy, and by guiding students in seminars, I have dedicated myself to fostering the growth of next-generation leaders and the creation of social value.
As Vice President, I will strive to help Shizenkan become an even more open and collaborative space for learning and challenge, beyond the courses I teach, by working together with students, faculty, staff, alumni, local communities, and society at large. I sincerely ask for your continued guidance and support.”
— Junko Edahiro
Message from Vice President Nalin Advani
“I am honoured to have been appointed as Vice President of Shizenkan University. I have had the privilege of serving as an adjunct professor, teaching courses that explore the relationship between technology and human society. Through daily dialogue with our students, I continue to be inspired by their intellectual curiosity and their ability to view issues from multiple perspectives.
In today’s world, I believe the leaders we need are those who can think flexibly beyond traditional frameworks, bridge diverse values, and embrace change with a positive spirit. I hope to contribute, in whatever small way I can, to Shizenkan’s continued evolution as a hub of learning that connects Japan, Asia, and the wider world. I look forward to learning from and collaborating with all members of the Shizenkan community. Thank you for your continued support and engagement.”
— Nalin Advani
| Profile: Prof. Junko Edahiro
Junko Edahiro holds a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Tokyo Graduate School. She is widely active in the fields of environment and energy, engaging in lectures, writing, translating, and consulting. She is best known for her Japanese translation of An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore, among many other publications. Through her work, she has promoted behavioral change toward a sustainable society. She is also an expert in facilitation using systems thinking and scenario planning and is involved in consensus-building and regional revitalization efforts for corporations and local governments. She is the CEO of Future Design Institute, President of e’s Inc., Director of the Institute for Studies in Happiness, Economy and Society, Chair of Change Agent Inc., and President of the NPO Blue Carbon Network. |
| Profile: Prof. Nalin Advani
Nalin Advani has held leadership and investment roles in technology companies such as WindRiver, eSOL, Barco, and GreyOrange, with two companies from his portfolio achieving public listings. He currently serves as an outside director at BIPROGY Inc. Born in Yokohama, he holds MBAs from the National University of Singapore and UCLA Anderson School of Management. He is a founding member of TiE Japan, Executive Director of the Yokohama India Center, and is also known as a practitioner of Sogetsu Ikebana. |