Scaling Japan Podcast Episode 85 : How Ne-mawashi Builds Real Leadership in Japan with Rina Sakuraba
In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Rina Sakuraba, Founder and CEO of Coaching Leaders Japan, an executive coach and cross-cultural leadership expert who helps professionals build deeper communication and emotional safety inside Japanese companies.
Rina breaks down the concept of ne-mawashi, Japan’s behind-the-scenes alignment process and why it’s essential for getting real buy-in from teams, not just silent nods.
She shares how foreign managers and Japanese leaders can improve communication through coaching, build trust with quieter team members, and avoid the common pitfalls that cause ne-mawashi to backfire.
One surprising insight: many teams mistake information-sharing for alignment. Rina explains how leaders can transform one-way communication into real consensus-building.
If you’re managing a Japanese team, selling into Japan, or navigating cross-cultural leadership, this episode is packed with honest and actionable advice.
AIM B2B – Integrated Marketing & PR in Asia This episode is sponsored by Custom Media, Tokyo’s leading integrated marketing and PR agency since 2008, helping global brands expand across Japan and APAC. They can help you with:
Localized storytelling to build trust in Asian markets
Strategic performance marketing for measurable growth
Account‑based marketing (ABM), paid media, GEO, and SEO
HubSpot‑certified CRM & marketing automation
Data‑driven implementation with cultural expertise
Show Notes:
00:00 – Introduction
03:00 – Why Ontological Coaching is Important
07:55 – What is Ne-mawashi
15:02 – Purposes of Ne-mawashi in Japanese Culture
25:05 – How to Set a Comfortable Environment for Sharing Concerns
30:00 – Challenges Leaders Face with Ne-mawashi
39:27 – Techniques for Better Practice
Links from Guest Appearance: 🔗 Connect with Rina Sakuraba on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rinasakuraba/
Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 with his coaching and advisory services. 📈 Visit here to learn how he can help
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