Long before he was a Spartan, Yuzo Yagi had an understanding of export business, and luxury goods. The son of a small textile trader, Yagi had a life of lessons built upon meticulous attention to detail and the importance of strategic planning. He joined his fathers business, Yagi Tsusho, in 1967, after graduating with an MBA from what is now known as the Michigan State University Broad College of Business.

Yagi was named president and chief executive officer of Yagi Tsusho Ltd. in 1986.

Since that time he has kept the company moving forward through innovation, and holding firm to a corporate vision that values continuous improvement and acumen to seize opportunities within the global marketplace.

In the early 70s as the Japanese currency became stronger and threatened exports, Yagi saw an opportunity to develop Yagi Tsushos import business. Within three years, the company was selling high-end European fashion goods throughout Asia. He has worked to develop a complete supply chain-from the production of high-end apparel and fashion goods to retail operations in Tokyo, Paris, Milan and New York.

It was 10 years into his career when he realized just how valuable his education at Michigan State was.

I am very thankful to MSU and what I learned while I was here, said Yagi in a recent interview. The education I received at MSU has been instrumental to my business decisions- from marketing and brand management to the principles of supply chain management.

This fall, Yagi returned to campus for a two-day visit featuring a welcome at the Eli Broad College of Business, tour of the Kresge Student Art Gallery, dinner at the Wharton Center and meetings with Siddharth Chandra, director of the Asian Studies Center, Jeffrey Riedinger, dean of International Studies and Programs and lunch with President Lou Anna K. Simon, John Hudzik, vice president of global engagement and strategic projects and Dawn Pysarchik, associate dean of International Studies and Programs.

He also took time to present a guest lecture titled, Business structure in Asian countries and possible melt down of the Chinese economy in the near future. Yagi pointed out four factors that he believes could be serious defects, preventing long-term growth of the Chinese economy.

Developing strategy in line with a changing marketplace, being true to your brand, paying attention to customer service and quality and doing the right kind of marketing has been the key to success at Yagi Tsusho, Yagi said.

In business one has to be very clear, he said. The most important thing you can do is strategize.

Always looking for a new project, Yagi is currently investing in companies known for high quality goods but lack the funding to enter the global market place.