Mr. Haruaki Deguchi was born in 1948 in Mie Prefecture. After graduating from the Faculty of Law at Kyoto University in 1972, he joined Nippon Life Insurance Company. He served as the founding financial planning special committee chairperson for the Life Insurance Association of Japan, engaged in financial system reforms and revising insurance business law. After serving in other positions including president of the London-based subsidiary and general manager of the international business department, he retired from Nippon Life Insurance Company. Beginning in 2005 he served as an advisor to the Office of the President at the University of Tokyo for two years.
In 2006 he co-founded Netlife Insurance, serving as president and managing director. Acquiring a life insurance license in 2008, they established Lifenet Insurance—the first independent insurance company to open in Japan in 74 years.
Under the philosophy of supporting households raising children, Lifenet sold insurance over the internet for about half the price of major insurance companies. Lifenet also achieved a first for the industry by disclosing all fees included in insurance premiums. In 2012, Lifenet was added to the Tokyo Stock Exchange's list of Market of the High Growth and Emerging Stocks.
Mr. Deguchi assumed the role of Chairman and CEO in 2013, and since June 2017 he was engaged as company founder in Lifenet Insurance PR activities and in fostering young talent within the organization.
He joined Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University as president in January 2018, coming to the position from outside the University, an unusual move for a Japanese university.
Education
Bachelor of Law, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Experience
2018 – Present President, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Beppu, Oita Prefecture (Japan)
2006 - 2017 Lifenet Insurance Company
2013 - 2017 Chairman and CEO (Japan)
2008 - 2013 Representative Director and CEO
(Company name changed from Lifenet Planning in 2008) (Japan)
2006 - 2008 Lifenet Planning Co. Ltd., President (Japan)
1972 - 2006 Nippon Life Insurance Company
2005 - 2006 Taisay Building Management Co., Ltd., Director (Japan)
2003 - 2005 Taisay Building Management Co., Ltd., in charge of PFI (Japan)
1998 - 2003 Public Affairs Department, Manager (Japan)
1995 - 1998 International Business Department, Manager (Japan)
1992 - 1995 London-based subsidiary, President (UK)
1983 - 1992 Financial Planning Office, Section Manager (Japan)
1982 - 1983 Industrial Research Department at The Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited
(temporary assignment) (Japan)
1979 - 1982 Financial Planning, Management Planning Department, Section Manager (Japan)
1972 - 1979 Kyoto Branch, Osaka Headquarters, Planning Department (Japan)
Other Positions and Associations (Past and Present)
Member of Listing System Improvement Roundtable, Tokyo Stock Exchange
Member of Central Broadcast Program Council, Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)
Member of Reading Committee, Yomiuri Shimbun
The Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited (Industrial Research Department)
Researcher (Community Revitalization) at The Tokyo Foundation
Lecturer at Waseda University
Lecturer at Keio University
Graduate School Adviser to the Office of the President at the University of Tokyo
Publications and Lectures
Mr. Deguchi is a prolific author and lecturer, with more than 35 books to his name and scores of lectures and public appearances every year. Recent publications include:
What have been the main lessons you have learned in your career and how do you implement them in your management?
Before founding Lifenet Insurance Company in 2006, I served for two years as an advisor to the Office of the President at the University of Tokyo. At that time, I realized that universities are the competitive power of society's future, and it opened my eyes again to the importance of education and research.
In a world where globalization is advancing, being selected as president of APU—one of the most advanced universities in Japan when it comes to globalization—is both a great honor and a great responsibility. Bringing together highly motivated students and high quality faculty and staff is more important than anything, and it is the duty of university management to develop an environment that enhances the quality of education and research, including strengthening the financial foundation. To achieve this, it is essential that we collaborate closely with students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as other stakeholders