about shuhei
My mission is to be a Catalyst for Bringing Peace to those around me.
Shuhei Namekawa is an educational practitioner who applies Eastern philosophy in his work. As a leader who emphasizes moral values in economic activities, he practices Gotoku-based management and is highly regarded by many business leaders for his lectures.
Currently, he holds key roles in the financial industry, including serving as the President and CEO of Fincross digital Co., Ltd., a company jointly funded by eight regional Japanese banks.
His mission is to spread the teachings of Gotoku to as many people as possible and to become a catalyst for bringing peace to those around him.
SHUHEI's STORY
Introducing the life journey of Shuhei Namekawa, who once pursued only personal gain, nearly losing his health and family in the process. Through his encounter with Eastern philosophy, he reclaimed a life of both material and spiritual abundance and has since guided many others toward happiness and fulfillment.
The obsession with the concept of "survival of the fittest".
In the summer of 1981, Shuhei was born in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.
At six months old, Shuhei was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, and due to its aftereffects, he was prohibited from engaging in strenuous physical activity. During elementary school, his inability to participate in sports caused him to lose confidence and feel a deep sense of loneliness.
From this experience, he developed an obsession with the concept of "survival of the fittest", cultivating a belief that one must be strong to survive.
Entrepreneurship During University Years
During high school, Shuhei earned a recommendation to attend Urawa high school, Saitama Prefecture's top public school, where he dedicated himself to basketball. However, he was not selected as a starting member, which left him with a deep sense of frustration.
Later, he set his sights only on Japan's most prestigious university, University of Tokyo, and spent one year studying after graduating high school. However, he failed the Center Test (universal entrance test for most universities) because of solving wrong problems for the University, and marked 0 score for a subject. In his disappointment, he was enrolled in Waseda university, which his score of the same test allowed him to enter.
Determined to redeem himself, Shuhei founded his first business as a freshman, in the area of web marketing, which he made successful achievement.
Success and Setbacks
After graduating from university, Shuhei was drawn to learning from both the successes and failures of businesses worldwide, leading him to join Accenture, one of the top consulting firms globally. In his first year, he earned the globally prestigious "At the Very Top of Peer Group" recognition, awarded to the top 5% of high performers worldwide, making a strong impact at the forefront of business. However, the fear of losing his high evaluation led him to push himself too hard, resulting in both physical and mental exhaustion.
Eventually, he reached his breaking point, facing a significant personal and professional crisis.
A Fresh Start and New Challenges
After a deep mental setback, Shuhei felt the urge to escape from everything and was unable to work for a while. However, he eventually leveraged his experiences from his student years to start a marketing business. Initially, the business grew rapidly, but the constant obsession with survival of the fittest haunted him. He felt anxiety if his sales and profits were not at the top of the industry.
The pressure to always be number one pushed him to work late into the night and drink until morning, which became the norm. This extreme stress and pressure eventually took a toll on his health. He was diagnosed with autonomic ataxia and the most severe case of apnea syndrome, which caused him to suddenly fall asleep while driving. Furthermore, his family was on the brink of collapse.
Amidst this turmoil, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck. This incident led him to a profound realization about the preciousness of life, partly because most of his relatives lived in Miyagi Prefecture, one of the hardest-hit areas.
Encounter with Eastern Philosophy
During this difficult period, Shuhei read "The Analects and the Abacus" by Eiichi Shibusawa, which deeply resonated with him. He realized that not only economics but also morality must go hand in hand. This understanding led him to pursue a business model that balanced both economics and ethics.
Through this journey, Shuhei began walking forward once again. It was during this time that he met a life mentor. Witnessing his mentor's unwavering commitment to empathize with others and dedicate himself to their well-being left a profound impact on Shuhei.
For the first time, Shuhei met someone he genuinely respect and wanted to learn from and started practicing Eastern philosophy. Deeply inspired by his mentor's teachings, he learned the importance of living a life dedicated to empathy and accumulating virtue.
This encounter led Shuhei to let go of his obsession with "survival of the fittest" and embrace the importance of living authentically. As a result, he has achieved both financial and personal fulfillment. Today, he serves as the President and CEO of FinCross, a company jointly funded by eight regional banks, and has been appointed as an executive advisor to financial institutions and other organizations.
Learning the Value of the Ordinary from My Daughter
However, his fourth daughter, Sumire, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1, a rare and severe condition that affects spinal cord cells, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. Without a ventilator, she would not survive. Her airways frequently became clogged with phlegm, causing her entire body to turn pale, and she was rushed to the intensive care unit multiple times.
Later, his fifth daughter, Ayame, was born and was also diagnosed with the same disease.
Each day spent facing life and death alongside his daughters on ventilators profoundly changed Shuhei's perspective on life. Through this journey, Shuhei came to deeply appreciate life's simplest blessings—being alive, standing, breathing, swallowing, and walking in the sunlight. These everyday experiences became more meaningful and precious as he learned to embrace both the fragility and beauty of life.
And then, a miracle happened.
His bedridden fourth daughter began to move her thumb, and with it, she created digital art, winning numerous prestigious awards. She even designed T-shirts that are being sold. Meanwhile, his fifth daughter gained the ability to support her neck, then stand, and eventually began walking.
Through these experiences, Shuhei realized that everything we often take for granted in life is actually a series of miracles.When he finally began to live authentically as his true self, his wife said to him, "Shu-chan, you've finally become human."
Through these experiences, Shuhei realized that everything we often take for granted in life is actually a series of miracles.When he finally began to live authentically as his true self, his wife said to him, "Shu-chan, you've finally become human.
The Path to Becoming an Educational Practitioner Using Eastern Philosophy
By learning and practicing the spirit of the Five Virtues (Gotoku), Shuhei transcended mere economic success and became a person with deeper ethical values.
He is involved in managing a company based on Gotoku Management, fostering a relationship where each individual continues to believe in one another’s potential. This relationship, rooted in the principles of Gotoku, allowed the company to foster strong connections both internally and externally. As a result, customer numbers have consistently increased, and since its founding in 2012, the company’s sales have continued to rise.
Shuhei’s parents always told him to become someone who brings peace to those around him. His name reflects this aspiration: “Shu“ means “around,“ and “Hei“ means “peace“. Shuhei’s mission and ultimate goal is to transform the way people live on a global scale, fostering a more harmonious and compassionate world. He believes that we can overcome even the greatest difficulties by supporting one another, bringing peace to those around us.
contact
I look forward to the opportunity
to lecture on Gotoku Management
in countries around the world!
I am accepting requests for lectures on Gotoku Management, focusing on human development, leadership, and organizational management.
Through a practical approach to refine one’s way of being as human, rooted in Gotoku philosophy, I help business leaders integrate morality and economics for sustainable success.
To all corporate executives and business leaders: I invite you to reach out, and together, let us take the first step toward success — both in your business and personal life!