Principal draws on his business savvy to run school

First of three parts Kazuhiro Fujihara had a long career at major publisher Recruit Co. launching businesses, including setting up a firm that makes trading cards for the popular cartoon character Pokemon and launching a magazine in 1995 aimed at buyers and sellers of used goods.

That was before the 51-year-old Fujihara traded his pinstripes for a pointer, becoming principal of Wada Junior High School in Suginami Ward, Tokyo, in April 2003.

Fujihara has lost none of his entrepreneurial drive, though, bringing a businessman's eye to the school he oversees. Since coming to Wada Junior High, he has instituted changes not often seen in a public school. One example is a new social studies class called Yononaka-ka, or Class on Society.