Haruhiko Kuroda: Shaping Asia’s Success at ADB

TLDR:

• Haruhiko Kuroda became the eighth president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in February 2005, taking over from Tadao Chino.
• Kuroda called for the ADB to act as a “home doctor” by listening to developing countries’ voices instead of teaching them, in line with the bank’s tradition.

Haruhiko Kuroda took office as the eighth president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on February 1, 2005. He succeeded Tadao Chino and followed the bank’s tradition of not being in the headquarters building at the same time as the outgoing president. Kuroda presented his basic policy thinking to the board of directors and senior staff on his second day in office. He called for the ADB to act as a “home doctor” that listens to the voices of developing countries rather than trying to teach them. This approach aligned with the bank’s tradition dating back to its first president, Takeshi Watanabe.