Our Japan CEO, Masa Matsuoka, recently shared his perspective in an opinion piece published by Diamond Online, one of Japan’s leading business media platforms.
The article explores the growing adoption of the “best owner” concept in Japan—a framework increasingly used to justify business portfolio restructuring and divestments. While the concept is widely seen as a rational approach to maximizing corporate value, Masa-san highlights that its application may not always align with its original intent.
By revisiting its origins and examining how it has been adopted in Japan, the article raises important questions around management accountability, strategic intent, and the potential blind spots behind business sales.
In this article, Masa-san covers several key topics:
The origins of the “best owner” concept from a 2009 McKinsey framework
Why the concept gained traction in Japan only in the 2020s, including its inclusion in METI guidelines
How the framework is used in business portfolio restructuring and divestment decisions
The potential risks of using the concept to justify decisions that may mask accountability or self-preservation
Read the full article here.
About our Expert
Masa Matsuoka is YCP’s Japan CEO, Group Officer, and Managing Partner, with deep expertise in corporate strategy, restructuring, and value creation. He brings extensive experience in turnaround execution and equity research across retail and consumer sectors.
