Yuichi Takahashi

Could you share something unexpected or a fun fact about you?

Despite coming from a traditional Japanese background, I have had the opportunity to live in several different countries, such as the USA, France, Mexico, Germany, the Philippines and Hong Kong, over the course of my life. This journey reflects my enduring desire to step beyond my comfort zone and engage with the world in meaningful ways. Beyond my international pursuits, I am also passionate about music, particularly Latin music, and I enjoy practising Latin dance whenever I have the chance.

Tell us about yourself, and how you got to where you are today both on a professional and personal level?

Raised as the only child in a traditional family that has run a small, three-generation kimono business in Japan, I grew up with the expectation of carrying on the family legacy. On the other hand, I was naturally curious about life and culture beyond my local community, which led me to pursue my own path as a somewhat rebellious son.

My passion for international experiences began at the age of 14, when I had the opportunity to live in the US with a host family for six months. That formative experience sparked a lasting curiosity about the wider world. During high school, I went on to study in France, Mexico and Germany, further broadening my perspective. I later studied Economics at Temple University, Japan Campus in Tokyo, where I strengthened my adaptability in multicultural academic and social environments. These early experiences naturally set me on an international professional path.

Driven by my strong interest in the global economy and international business, I began my career in finance. Despite the challenges in my early career during the global financial crisis in the late 2000s, I have since spent nearly two decades working across private equity, structured credit and real estate investments, gaining broad exposure to diverse businesses and cross-border projects in the Asia-Pacific region. I had the privilege of working at global institutions including GE, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank, and most recently served as Managing Director at Crane Capital, a Hong Kong-based private equity fund backed by a prominent US public pension fund.

The people and communities I have encountered along the way continue to shape how I approach both work and life, reinforcing my desire to contribute meaningfully to the global communities I am part of.

What led you to decide to pursue an Executive MBA, and why did you choose INSEAD in particular?

Pursuing an Executive MBA has long been on my personal bucket list. Having spent most of my career focused on the Asia-Pacific and Japan markets, I felt it was time to expand my footprint and further develop my leadership skills as a global professional beyond the region.

INSEAD immediately stood out as the ideal institution, truly embodying diversity and international presence. Alumni and close friends who had attended the school encouraged me to apply, sharing how transformative and eye-opening the experience had been for them. Their stories resonated deeply and reinforced my desire to join the programme.

I was particularly drawn to the diverse electives, the Key Management Challenge (KMC) projects and the Leadership Development Programme (LDP), with its combination of individual and group coaching. These elements felt like the perfect framework to grow not only professionally, but also personally.

I have been excited about the opportunity to study across the Fontainebleau, Abu Dhabi and Singapore campuses, where I can broaden my perspective, engage with a like-minded international cohort and learn from their experiences.

Combined with the extensive alumni network, I see this journey as a chance to elevate myself, deepen connections and explore new opportunities on a global level.  

How would you describe your experience so far? What is your impression of the faculty, the curriculum, and your fellow participants?

What has struck me most at INSEAD is the incredible diversity of both the cohort and the faculty. The programme is intense, with assignments and group work alongside regular courses, yet it is also deeply rewarding and continually pushes me to learn and grow.

Beyond the classroom, some of the most valuable lessons I have learned come from both formal and informal exchanges with classmates from around the world. Hearing their perspectives and learning from their experiences has made the journey as meaningful as the academics themselves.

In addition to regular classes, I enjoy attending speaker sessions, panel discussions and large-format forums, which offer a wide range of learning and networking opportunities that further enrich my journey. The more you put in and contribute to the community, the more you get out of it. I have been forcing myself to attend as many events and gatherings as practically possible to maximise the opportunity. Professional networking aside, it has been a fun journey to meet and make lifelong friends around the world.

I have also been making a conscious effort to attend speaker sessions, panel discussions and large-format forums, which are full of opportunities to learn and connect with others. I have discovered that the more you put into the community, the more you get out of it, so I try to attend as many events as I can. Beyond professional networking, it has been incredibly rewarding and a lot of fun to meet people from around the world and make friends that I know will last a lifetime.

Can you share a little about your application process and what you found most helpful and challenging during your preparation?

Given my demanding work schedule and frequent business travel, preparing my essays and requesting recommendation letters took longer than I initially expected. Attending information sessions and speaking with alumni and current students was equally valuable, as it gave me a deeper understanding of the programme and how it aligns with my personal and professional goals.

What I found most helpful was the guidance from the INSEAD recruitment team and admissions office, as they clarified the process and helped me navigate the many details. At the start of my preparation, I was also overwhelmed by the idea of taking the GMAT. However, I later learned that INSEAD offers its own online assessment test after pre-selection. I therefore submitted my application first and prepared for the INSEAD assessment only after being pre-selected, which significantly reduced my stress and allowed me to focus my preparation more effectively.

What advice would you give to someone who might be interested in pursuing an INSEAD programme?

If you are considering the programme and genuinely interested, I would say go ahead and apply without hesitation.

It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have such an immersive and rewarding experience. You will learn so much and quickly realise just how much there is to discover and learn in the world.

The cohort consistently encourages and pushes you beyond your comfort zone. The network you build and the people you meet are exceptional; it almost feels like joining a private membership club with lifelong access. At the same time, the GEMBA is undeniably intense, with constant demands on your time and energy, so being mentally prepared and open-minded, ready to both learn from others and share your own stories, is essential. In the end, you will find a way to make it work, and it is absolutely worth it.