Kenta Arashiyama, CEIBS MBA Class of 2028
Age: 36
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Meiji University, School of Business Administration
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Vice President in the biotechnology industry, with previous experience in marketing and business development in the IT industry. Thirteen years of professional experience in total.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
My career began in sales and marketing in the IT industry, where I learned how to understand customers, communicate value, and build new business functions. I later moved into biotechnology, where my responsibilities expanded significantly as a Vice President.
This transition made me realize that functional experience alone was no longer enough. To make company-level decisions, I needed a stronger and more systematic understanding of finance, strategy, operations, organizational behavior, and leadership. After 13 years of professional experience, I felt that this was the right time to step back, challenge my assumptions, and develop into a more well-rounded business leader.
Why did you choose CEIBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
CEIBS was the school that most closely matched both my professional experience and my future direction. As a Japanese executive working in China, with previous experience in the global IT industry, I wanted to understand China from the inside while maintaining a truly international perspective.
CEIBS’s philosophy of “China Depth, Global Breadth,” its location in Shanghai, and its diverse student community were the most important factors in my decision. China is one of the world’s most dynamic markets for technology, healthcare, and new business models. I believed CEIBS would provide the best environment for understanding this transformation and learning how to connect business opportunities across different markets and cultures.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I believe my most differentiating contribution is the combination of three perspectives: experience in the global IT industry, practical business experience in China, and my current leadership role in biotechnology.
I have worked in established global companies as well as in roles where new functions and businesses had to be built from zero. This allows me to contribute both a corporate perspective and an entrepreneurial one. I also hope to help bridge different business practices, communication styles, and approaches to decision-making among Japanese, Chinese, and international classmates.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I originally bought a camera simply to take better photos of my dogs. However, as I learned how to use it, I became increasingly fascinated by photography itself. What started as a way to capture moments with my dogs has now become one of my favorite hobbies.
Post-MBA career interests:
I plan to continue leading and scaling businesses in biotechnology, preventive healthcare, and healthy longevity. In the long term, I hope to combine innovation, quality, trust, and global commercialization expertise to bring valuable healthcare solutions to a wider range of people and markets.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would again begin by clarifying why I wanted an MBA and why it was the right time for me. Reflecting on my 13-year career helped me identify a consistent theme across my different roles: building something new and connecting people across functions, organizations, and cultures. Once I understood that theme, my essays and interview answers became more personal and coherent.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would begin the process earlier. I prepared for the GRE, wrote my essays, and practiced for interviews within approximately six months, so the entire process became extremely intense. With more time, I would have completed most of my GRE preparation first and then focused more deeply on my essays and interviews.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped the unnecessary rush of preparing for the GRE, essays, and interviews at almost the same time. None of those components could actually be skipped, but managing them simultaneously created considerable pressure. Breaking the process into smaller goals and keeping my reason for pursuing an MBA in mind helped me stay focused and get through it.
What is your initial impression of the CEIBS students/culture/community?
My initial impression is that the CEIBS community is highly ambitious but also open and supportive. My classmates have strong opinions and very different professional backgrounds, yet they are willing to listen, reconsider their assumptions, and help one another.
I have also been impressed by how quickly students from different countries and industries have begun forming genuine relationships. The diversity of the class is not simply a statistic; it influences almost every classroom discussion and team decision.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I hope to become actively involved in the CEIBS MBA Healthcare Club. Since I currently work in biotechnology, the club will allow me to learn from people across the wider healthcare ecosystem, exchange industry perspectives, and build relationships with students and professionals who share similar interests.
I also hope to participate in badminton and other sports activities. Sports provide a natural way to connect with classmates outside the classroom and build friendships across different sections, industries, and nationalities.
What is one thing you have learned about CEIBS that has surprised you?
I expected CEIBS to offer deep exposure to China, but I have been surprised by how international the everyday classroom experience is. Even when we discuss a Chinese company, classmates bring perspectives from different countries, industries, and economic environments.
As a result, we do not simply learn how business is conducted in China. We also examine why customer behavior, leadership styles, and business practices differ across markets.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited about turning classroom learning into action. I want to apply what I learn in strategy, finance, data analytics, and leadership to real challenges in biotechnology and business development.
I am equally excited about learning from classmates whose experiences and viewpoints are completely different from mine. I believe that these conversations, including moments of disagreement, will have the greatest influence on how I develop as a leader.
