Business Success Japan

Daniel Nestle, Leader of Communications for LIXIL Americas, is an award-winning global communications and marketing leader with over 20 years of success in the B2B services, manufacturing, finance, and education sectors. His broad areas of expertise include digital communications (CommTech), integrated marketing communications, content marketing, social media strategy, and brand storytelling. Earlier in his career, Daniel spent 16 years living and working in Japan, first as an educator and later as a corporate marketing and communications professional. He speaks Japanese. Daniel obtained his MS in Internet Marketing from Full Sail University as well as a BA in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania. An active content creator, in 2020 he launched his weekly podcast, The Dan Nestle Show. Listen in to hear Dan’s thoughts on  -why networking and making connections is especially important early on -how writing careers may change, and what you should do about it -why adapting your approach in the workplace isn’t inauthentic -why understanding culture is fundamental to building trust in the workplace -the unique power of the “outsider-insider” in an organization Subscribe to The Dan Nestle Show wherever you listen to podcasts or at https://dannestle.show Connect with Dan on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/nestle Follow Dan on X-formerly-known-as-Twitter at https://twitter.com/dsnestle Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated and making content: https://ko-fi.com/businesssuccessjapan Be sure to follow or subscribe for more Japanese language and cultural insights. And if you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review so that other people can find it as well. And of course, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes, please email me at ⁠⁠businesssuccessjapan@gmail.com⁠⁠. I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message

[This interview was originally published on November 11th, 2021.] UPDATE: Richard Katz is publishing a new book on entrepreneurship in Japan. If you're interested in pre-ordering, be sure to subscribe to his substack to get 30% off the hardcover version. It's one of the best ways to support writers, as it signals interest to publishes and encourages them to do larger prints and invest more in advertising: https://richardkatz.substack.com/p/30-off-for-my-book-on-japan-entrepreneurship Today's guest Richard Katz has worked for decades as a journalist working on the Japanese economy, and he has written two books on Japan: "The System That Soured" and "Japanese Phoenix." He is now working on a third, about how to nurture a new generation of high-growth, innovative small and medium enterprises in Japan. He has published various op-eds and essays in publications such as "Foreign Affairs," The "Financial Times," Toyo Keizai, and the "Wall Street Journal Asia." A few of the topics covered in today's conversation include the dormant entrepreneurship in Japan, the broken promises made to working women, and why structural issues around finance in Japan may be one of its greatest hindrances to growth. Richard's Links:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-katz-937308204/ Blog: ⁠https://richardkatz.substack.com/welcome⁠ Entrepreneurial Revival In Japan: A False Spring or Real Opportunity? (⁠UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy⁠): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xo1LYV860g Further Reading:  Why Nobody Invests in Japan: ⁠https://www.foreignaffairs.com/guest-pass/redeem/5gAlISIPRr8⁠ Old corporate champions can’t save Japan: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/05/30/old-corporate-champions-cant-save-japan/ Japan’s Looming Climate Showdown: ⁠https://www.foreignaffairs.com/guest-pass/redeem/rdp-a4Eil74⁠ An Election Mandate For Growth and Redistribution: https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/464660 Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated and making content: https://ko-fi.com/businesssuccessjapan Be sure to follow or subscribe for more Japanese language and cultural insights. And if you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review so that other people can find it as well. And of course, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes, please email me at ⁠businesssuccessjapan@gmail.com⁠. I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message

A brief update on the podcast publishing schedule in the coming months.

Kasia Lynch is a trilingual American who spent 8 years in Japan, including high school, college, graduate school, and her professional career. She earned her Bachelor’s from Boston University and Master’s from Tokyo’s Ochanomizu University.  Kasia’s career utilizing Japanese language and cultural skills began in 2003 with concert promotion, and later moved to interpreting/translating, electronics, and the automotive industry. She was able to do this while living in Japan, Poland, Italy, and the US.  Since starting Ikigai Connections in 2018, Kasia has been featured in various Japan-related podcasts, websites, and webinars, including the US-Japan Bridging Foundation, the US JET alumni association, Laurasian Institution, and BFF Tokyo. Her goal is for NihongoJobs.com to become the go-to job board for all Japanese jobs in the US. Topics covered today include: -finding a Japan-focused job outside of Japan -how to build a career as a successful 架け橋人材 (or “cultural-bridge employee”), and why it’s so valuable -getting your desired role even when you don’t fit the job description Kasia's Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kasiaikigai/ikigaiconnections.com  Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated enough to keep making content: https://ko-fi.com/businesssuccessjapan Be sure to follow or subscribe for more Japanese language and cultural insights. And if you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review so that other people can find it as well. And of course, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes, please email me at ⁠⁠businesssuccessjapan@gmail.com⁠⁠. I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message

Nicki is a single mother and entrepreneur with one leg firmly planted in Amsterdam and one in Tokyo. Back in 2011 she moved with her then husband to Tokyo as a trailing wife. Unable to find a job and reach her objective to be at a native level in her Japanese ability two years in, she decided to start her own company called “Tokiotours”. 10 years later she’s had a child, is divorced and has her “home base” back in Amsterdam from where she runs her tour guide business together with a business partner located in Tokyo. What started out as a simple side business has grown into a flourishing business with 50 local guides working for her from various destinations. Not only does she offer private guided tours to tourists, but she also focuses on market explorations for the B2B market where she helps companies take their first steps on the Japanese market. Topics covered in today's conversation include: -how and why pregnant foreigners in Japan struggle to get their needs met -how and why the famously high-quality customer service in Japan can be so inflexible -differences in relationship-building and privacy in Japan -how expatriation can impact a couple’s relationship -how family and the “domestic sphere” is viewed differently in Japan Nicki's Links: -⁠www.tokiotours.nl⁠ -⁠www.tokiotours.com⁠ -⁠www.facebook.com/tokiotours⁠⁠www.facebook.com/verkenjapan⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/tokiotours/⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/verkenjapan⁠⁠https://Instagram.com/tokiotours⁠⁠https://Instagram.com/verkenjapan⁠⁠https://instagram.com/Nicki_Amsterdam⁠ ⁠=https://twitter.com/tokiotours⁠ -⁠⁠Nicki@tokiotours.com⁠⁠ Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated enough to keep making content: https://ko-fi.com/businesssuccessjapan Be sure to follow or subscribe for more Japanese language and cultural insights. And if you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review so that other people can find it as well. And of course, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes, please email me at ⁠⁠businesssuccessjapan@gmail.com⁠⁠. I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message

Nicki is a single mother and entrepreneur with one leg firmly planted in Amsterdam and one in Tokyo. Back in 2011 she moved with her then husband to Tokyo as a trailing wife. Unable to find a job and reach her objective to be at a native level in her Japanese ability two years in, she decided to start her own company called “Tokiotours”. 10 years later she’s had a child, is divorced and has her “home base” back in Amsterdam from where she runs her tour guide business together with a business partner located in Tokyo. What started out as a simple side business has grown into a flourishing business with 50 local guides working for her from various destinations. Not only does she offer private guided tours to tourists, but she also focuses on market explorations for the B2B market where she helps companies take their first steps on the Japanese market. Topics covered in today's conversation include: -how not understanding Japanese culture will sabotage your business prospects –Nicki’s experience moving from a trailing spouse to entrepreneur in Japan -what it takes to be a successful tour guide -why leaving ambiguity almost always results in a “no” from clients -how to manage your expectations and make the most of your time in Japan Nicki's Links: -www.tokiotours.nl -www.tokiotours.com -www.facebook.com/tokiotourswww.facebook.com/verkenjapanhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/tokiotours/https://www.linkedin.com/company/verkenjapanhttps://Instagram.com/tokiotourshttps://Instagram.com/verkenjapanhttps://instagram.com/Nicki_Amsterdam =https://twitter.com/tokiotours -⁠Nicki@tokiotours.com⁠ Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated enough to keep making content: https://ko-fi.com/businesssuccessjapan Be sure to follow or subscribe for more Japanese language and cultural insights. And if you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review so that other people can find it as well. And of course, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes, please email me at ⁠businesssuccessjapan@gmail.com⁠. I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message

DC Palter is the author of the mystery novel To Kill a Unicorn about Japanese culture in Silicon Valley, and the Tuttle guidebook on Kansai-ben, Colloquial Kansai Japanese. He's also editor of Japonica, the journal of Japanese culture. He previously lived in Kobe as an engineer at Kobe Steel before founding two tech startups and returns to Japan frequently to visit sake breweries and eat nikuman. Check out part 1 of our conversation here: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/AUM3DHLZYzb Topics covered in today's episode include: -the many things that haven’t changed in Japan since the 80’s -why the successes of the Japanese education system may be holding it back -simple fixes that could allow for startups to succeed -why there’s no substitute for in-person communication in Japan DC Palter's Links: To Kill a Unicorn: ⁠https://amzn.to/3sD2SGH⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/dc-palter/⁠ Japonica: ⁠https://medium.com/japonica-publication⁠ Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated enough to keep making content: https://ko-fi.com/businesssuccessjapan Be sure to follow or subscribe for more Japanese language and cultural insights. And if you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review so that other people can find it as well. And of course, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes, please email me at ⁠businesssuccessjapan@gmail.com⁠. I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message

DC Palter is the author of the mystery novel To Kill a Unicorn about Japanese culture in Silicon Valley, and the Tuttle guidebook on Kansai-ben, Colloquial Kansai Japanese. He's also editor of Japonica, the journal of Japanese culture. He previously lived in Kobe as an engineer at Kobe Steel before founding two tech startups and returns to Japan frequently to visit sake breweries and eat nikuman. Topics covered in today's episode include: -how communication still fails even when speaking the same language -why Japanese is easier than Spanish (for Engineers, at least) -how to effectively manage cross-cultural communication -why there’s (still) no substitute for meeting with Japanese counterparts in-person -what’s changed about life in Japan since the 80’s DC Palter's Links: To Kill a Unicorn: https://amzn.to/3sD2SGH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dc-palter/ Japonica: https://medium.com/japonica-publication Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated enough to keep making content: https://ko-fi.com/businesssuccessjapan Be sure to follow or subscribe for more Japanese language and cultural insights. And if you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review so that other people can find it as well. And of course, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes, please email me at businesssuccessjapan@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message

Richard Berger was born and raised in the United States but has spent almost 35 years in Japan, first as a university student in the mid 1980s, and then for work since 1990. He spent 20 years working at Canon’s global headquarters in Tokyo, where he was in charge of global PR, and later moved to Link Global Solution, an intercultural communication training company, where he was director of communications. Richard now works on a freelance basis, doing translation, transcreation, writing, and video work, including animated educational movies. Be sure to keep listening to learn more about his experiences and insights into working in Japan and learning Japanese. In today's episode, Richard shares some of what he’s learned about successfully navigating life in Japan: -Engaging the culture with an open mind (and closed mouth) goes much further than you might expect. -Forcing yourself to think in Japanese can break through dreaded language-learning plateaus.  -Networking in Japan will get you far, but only if you’re willing to take it slow. Richard's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-berger/ Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated enough to keep making content: https://ko-fi.com/businesssuccessjapan Be sure to follow or subscribe for more Japanese language and cultural insights. And if you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review so that other people can find it as well. And of course, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes, please email me at businesssuccessjapan@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message

Parissa Haghirian is Professor of International Management at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. She has lived and worked in Japan since 2004 and is an internationally renowned expert in international management practices with a focus on Japan. She has published numerous books, academic papers, and articles on the topic of Japanese management. In addition to academics and research, Professor Haghirian advises major multinational companies on intercultural understanding and cooperation, and she coaches top global managers for success when working across cultures by providing new perspectives and skills. Professor Haghirian is a regular keynote speaker at conferences and corporate events in Europe, Japan, and Asia. Topics covered in today's episode include:  -evaluating the unique strengths of Japanese corporate culture and management styles -the power of taking cultural breaks to cope with the stress of life abroad -why living and working in a foreign culture is invaluable for your professional development -why and how conflict is managed so differently in Japanese companies -how embracing the role of a “one-woman circus” could get you further than fighting to project competence in Japan Parissa's Links:  Website: www.haghirian.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parissa-haghirian-7399554/ Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated enough to keep making content: https://ko-fi.com/businesssuccessjapan Be sure to follow or subscribe for more Japanese language and cultural insights. And if you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review so that other people can find it as well. And of course, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes, please email me at businesssuccessjapan@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message