Entrepreneurship at the Japan Centre

21st September 2020 10:00-11:00

Japan Centre began life in 1976 with a suitcase full of Japanese books and an idea to cater for the community of Japanese people living in London.  Japan Centre Group has since grown to become one of the largest and most influential Japanese retailers in London and Europe. 

Tak Tokumine, CEO Japan Centre Group, is a successful Japanese businessman who is the leading key player in the Japanese Food Market of Europe.  After gaining invaluable business skills working for his family’s business in Fukuoka, southern Japan, Tak married and settled in the UK in 1975. Opening his first official premises on London’s Warwick Street in 1976, selling Japanese food, books and magazines, under Tak's charismatic and decisive leadership Japan Centre Group Ltd has become one of the most influential Japanese stores in the UK and Europe with 3 Japanese Food Halls and a chain of successful Japanese restaurants.  

Student Panel

Kay is from Nigeria and recently successfully completed a Pre-Masters in Science and Engineering at Glasgow International College. He is now embarking on further study at The University of Glasgow in Aerospace Engineering and Management which he is really looking forward to. Kay is a Student Ambassador for Kaplan Pathways and has recently been part of a number of Pre Arrivals webinars which he has really enjoyed and which have allowed him to give advice and guidance to students in ‘the same situation as him, to act as an older brother and to be a representative of Nigeria’. Kay enjoys going to the gym and playing music in his free time and found that his Pathways programme ensured he was well prepared for further study, especially through the development of analytical skills and deepening his ability to question and interpret data. Kay has particularly enjoyed the opportunity to make new friends and to discover all the opportunities that living and studying in the UK has to offer, especially the chance to submerge himself in a new culture and environment. 

Javkhlan 'Jack' Otgonsuren Jack is from Mongolia and was a student at The University of York International Pathway College until completion of his Pre Masters programme in Summer 2020. Jack studied Pre Masters in Business, Law, Social Science (Quantitative Pathway). He is about to enrol and commence study on his postgraduate degree at The University of York which will see him develop his skills further in the Department of Economics and Related Studies, working towards a Masters in Project Analysis, Finance and Investment. Jack enjoyed his studies in York especially as he found the city peaceful and this allowed him to focus, particularly on his studies. He found his experiences as an international student enabled him to see the world more broadly, extending his perception and understanding of other countries, people and cultures. Jack is an Ambassador for Kaplan Pathways; a role he finds exciting and enjoyable. Jack has recently begun a part time job in a local restaurant so is hoping to hear tips from our guest speaker and use these for future success!