Episode 32: Launching a Japanese product/service abroad with Benjamin Boas

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we are excited to be joined by Benjamin Boas. He is an official advisor to the Japanese government’s Cabinet Office who is widely recognized as a go-to expert on niche Japanese cultural topics as he helps corporations and governments on a variety of topics ranging from international messaging, cross-cultural understanding, and tourism. Be sure to check out his most recent book, “From Cool Japan to Your Japan,” lays out the need for Japanese institutions to learn how they are perceived by their global audience. Today Benjamin will be sharing how to successfully take a Japanese product/service and launch it in a foreign country.

Links from Guest Appearance
LinkedIn
Japanese-language book:  “From Cool Japan to Your Japan”
Links to Additional Resources
JapanCraft21

Show Notes
(2:48) Benjamin Boas' self introduction
(5:01) Cool Japan explained
(7:40) Popular Japanese products overseas
(14:54) Japanese products that did not succeed
(18:30) Honda example
(22:07) Big Cool Japan hits
(23:24) Tips for companies succeeding outside of Japan
(30:21) Tips for working and connecting with JICA
(34:49) Japanese communites abroad
(36:16) Major expos
(37:46) Platforms to sell products to foreign markets
(39:29) Additional tips for entrepreneurs 

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