Business Success Japan

In today’s episode of the Business Success Podcast, I chat with Chiara Terzuolo. Chiara is a polyglot, musician, narrator, writer, editor, and actor who has been living and working creatively in Tokyo since 2011. She has successfully established herself as an independent freelancer who has amassed a unique portfolio-style career that is well off the beaten path for the stereotypical office worker. Just a few topics covered in today’s conversation include: -Exploring and building income streams on the side to use as a springboard before leaving full-time employment. -Focusing on providing quality to establish a robust network in Japan. -Why Japanese language skills aren’t necessary to do entertainment work in Japan, but you should learn it anyway. -How life as a vegan in Japan is changing. Chiara's Links: Website: https://www.museandink.co/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/chiara.tokyo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terzuolochiara/ Related Episodes: Entrepreneurship and Content Creation as a Digital Nomad in Japan with Cindy Bissig: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Entrepreneurship-and-Content-Creation-as-a-Digital-Nomad-in-Japan-with-Cindy-Bissig-e13rdl0 Communicating Your Value in the Japanese Job Market with Sam Thornton: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Communicating-Your-Value-in-the-Japanese-Job-Market-with-Sam-Thornton-ervoi9 Navigating Gender, Race, and Culture in the Japanese Workplace with Jessica Kennett Cork: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Navigating-Gender--Race--and-Culture-in-the-Japanese-Workplace-with-Jessica-Kennett-Cork-enu4ro 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

Menya Hinga is an American who immigrated to Japan over a decade ago. He now works as a health and performance coach to high-performers who are struggling to manage stress and weight gain, learn to eat better, move more and stress less in order to transform their health and performance. Some topics covered in this episode include the importance of focusing on providing value as a content creator, the power of small shifts in making big changes, why time management is the key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and why things will likely take longer than you expect when starting a business in Japan. Today's language:  こまかい ko-ma-ka-i kanji: 細かい meaning: small, fine, trivial, careful Menya's links:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menyahinga/ Website: www.menyahinga.com  Community: https://holisticfitness.mn.co/ Related Episodes: Tackling Law, Entrepreneurship, and a Purposeful Life in Japan with Catherine O'Connell: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Tackling-Law--Entrepreneurship--and-a-Purposeful-Life-in-Japan-with-Catherine-OConnell-e19j77p Entrepreneurship and Content Creation as a Digital Nomad in Japan with Cindy Bissig: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Entrepreneurship-and-Content-Creation-as-a-Digital-Nomad-in-Japan-with-Cindy-Bissig-e13rdl0 Setting Yourself Up to Thrive in Japan with Katheryn Gronauer: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Setting-Yourself-Up-to-Thrive-in-Japan-with-Katheryn-Gronauer-er360q 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

I've finally made it to Japan!  To continue bringing consistently high-quality content to my listeners, however, I've decided to transition to a monthly publishing schedule. Thank you all for your support, and I can't wait to see what new opportunities 2022 will bring! Can't wait for more content? Check out some of this past year's interviews: Japan's Six Megatrends and Why They Matter with Richard Katz: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Japans-Six-Megatrends-and-Why-They-Matter-with-Richard-Katz-e17rgpm The Power of Self-Reflection, Storytelling, and Finding Authentic Balance in Japan with Tim Sullivan: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/The-Power-of-Self-Reflection--Storytelling--and-Finding-Authentic-Balance-in-Japan-with-Tim-Sullivan-eul6jr Tackling Law, Entrepreneurship, and a Purposeful Life in Japan with Catherine O'Connell: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Tackling-Law--Entrepreneurship--and-a-Purposeful-Life-in-Japan-with-Catherine-OConnell-e19j77p 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

Tyson Batino is a native of Hawaii who came to Japan as an English teacher, worked in human resources, and ultimately founded three companies in Japan. He now coaches founders who want to scale their businesses. Some topics covered in today's interview include investing in relationships with mentors, the importance of being clear on what you want in order to be successful in any field, and the importance of understanding the sales cycle of your prospective clients before launching into business. Today's Language:  せんぱい se-n-pa-i kanji: 先輩 meaning: senior (at work or school), elder, superior Tyson's Links:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tysonbatino/ coaching business: www.scalingyourcompany.com Japanese online lessons: www.japanswitch.com Related Episodes:  Exploring and Thriving in the Changing World of Startups in Japan with Fuminori Gunji: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Exploring-and-Thriving-in-the-Changing-World-of-Startups-in-Japan-with-Fuminori-Gunji-e176n4q Tackling Law, Entrepreneurship, and a Purposeful Life in Japan with Catherine O'Connell: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Tackling-Law--Entrepreneurship--and-a-Purposeful-Life-in-Japan-with-Catherine-OConnell-e19j77p How to Make it Big in Japan: Navigating Culture, Burnout, and Entrepreneurship with Misha Yurchenko: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/How-to-Make-it-Big-in-Japan-Navigating-Culture--Burnout--and-Entrepreneurship-with-Misha-Yurchenko-et1045 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

Rosa Aldridge is an American who has had her entire professional career in Japan, and she is passionate about creating sustainable culture practices while promoting Japanese hospitality to the world. She is currently working in an environment that deals with event planning and promoting international understanding, and she has successfully navigated job searching in Japan and has held a variety of positions through various companies and institutions in Japan. Some topics discussed in today's conversation include how to effectively find (the right) jobs in Japan, taking advantage of unique opportunities through positioning yourself as a cultural bridge, and how to best navigate the resources available if you find yourself in a workplace that isn't for you. Today's Language:  (ぎゃく)きゅうじん (gya-ku) kyu-u-ji-n meaning: (reverse) recruiting, job offer kanji: (逆)求人 Rosa's Links:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosa-aldridge/ 逆求人 website: https://www.careertrek.com/ Related Episodes:  Communicating Your Value in the Japanese Job Market with Sam Thornton: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Communicating-Your-Value-in-the-Japanese-Job-Market-with-Sam-Thornton-ervoi9 Learning the Dance of Effective Cross-Cultural Communication in Japan with Kevin Crowell: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Learning-the-Dance-of-Effective-Cross-Cultural-Communication-in-Japan-with-Kevin-Crowell-e153r78 Surviving the Salaryman Lifestyle in Japan with Michael Howard Thuresson: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Surviving-the-Salaryman-Lifestyle-in-Japan-with-Michael-Howard-Thuresson-esfn4d 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

Catherine O’Connell is a bilingual, in house legal counsel-experienced lawyer operating a boutique law firm in Tokyo. She is a lawyerpreneur who provides legal counsel solutions for a wide range of clients, big and small. She also hosts her own podcast, "Lawyer on Air," has a wide range of experiences, certifications, and awards in and outside of Japan. Just a few of the topics discussed in today’s conversation include some big-picture differences between law in Japan versus many western countries, what it takes to start a business and find success as an entrepreneur in Japan, as well as why it’s so important to cultivate curiosity and how to maintain it no matter how long you stay. Today's Language:  べんごし be-n-go-shi meaning: lawyer, attorney kanji: 弁護士 Catherine's Links:  Website: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherineoconnelllaw/ Twitter: @oconnelllawyer Instagram: @lawyeronair Related Episodes:  Learning the Dance of Effective Cross-Cultural Communication in Japan with Kevin Crowell: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Learning-the-Dance-of-Effective-Cross-Cultural-Communication-in-Japan-with-Kevin-Crowell-e153r78 The Power of Self-Reflection, Storytelling, and Finding Authentic Balance in Japan with Tim Sullivan: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/The-Power-of-Self-Reflection--Storytelling--and-Finding-Authentic-Balance-in-Japan-with-Tim-Sullivan-eul6jr Building Lasting Relationships Amidst the Covid-19 Digital Transformation in Japan with Will Jasprizza: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Building-Lasting-Relationships-Amidst-the-Covid-19-Digital-Transformation-in-Japan-with-Will-Jasprizza-e12dldf Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated: 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

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. Today's Japanese:  しかたがない shi-ka-ta ga na-i Meaning: “there’s nothing that can be done,” “there’s no use,”  “it can’t be helped” 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 Related Episodes:  Exploring and Thriving in the Changing World of Startups in Japan with Fuminori Gunji:  Evolving Trends in Japanese Subsidiary Companies and the Lasting Power of Monozukuri with Francis Pacheco: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Evolving-Trends-in-Japanese-Subsidiary-Companies-and-the-Lasting-Power-of-Monozukuri-with-Francis-Pacheco-e14ne9c Finding Success in Japanese Universities, Startups, and Beyond with Austin Zeng: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Finding-Success-in-Japanese-Universities--Startups--and-Beyond-with-Austin-Zeng-e1687sh 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: 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

In today's episode, I'm chatting with Colin Savage. Colin is a globally-minded, locally-focused leader with over 20 years' experience with Japan, including eight years in-country. He specializes in business development, communications and marketing, digital development, leadership, research, and strategy. Some topics covered in today's conversation include the proper use and function of powerpoint presentations in a Japanese context, dealing with the phenomenon of not being heard when speaking Japanese as a foreigner, and ways to reconsider and cope with bureaucracy in Japan. Today's Japanese: ことわざ ko-to-wa-za kanji: 諺 meaning: proverb, a saying Colin's Links:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinjsavage/ His book, 金沢弁の本 - The Dialect of Kanazawa: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&contributor=Colin+James+B+Savage&page=1&pageSize=10 (article about the book: https://kanazawa.keizai.biz/headline/767/) Related Episodes:  Learning the Dance of Effective Cross-Cultural Communication in Japan with Kevin Crowell: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Learning-the-Dance-of-Effective-Cross-Cultural-Communication-in-Japan-with-Kevin-Crowell-e153r78 The Power of Self-Reflection, Storytelling, and Finding Authentic Balance in Japan with Tim Sullivan: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/The-Power-of-Self-Reflection--Storytelling--and-Finding-Authentic-Balance-in-Japan-with-Tim-Sullivan-eul6jr On Being an Effective Communicator in Japan with Anthony Griffin: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/On-Being-an-Effective-Communicator-in-Japan-with-Anthony-Griffin-el1v9m Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated: 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

In today's episode, I'm chatting with Fuminori Gunji, CEO of TokyoMate. Fuminori Gunji was a founding team member of Softbank Robotics from 2013 to 2016, leading Softbank's domestic B2B businesses and overseas expansion efforts. In 2017, Fuminori Gunji headed business development for MakeLeaps. By the end of 2018, Gunji had successfully closed MakeLeaps’ M&A deal with Ricoh and went on to lead MakeLeaps in 2019 as COO. In June of 2021, Fuminori Gunji accepted the role of chief executive officer of TokyoMate, a Tokyo-based Office-as-a-Service startup providing virtual bilingual assistants, virtual mailboxes, virtual office addresses, and virtual bilingual receptionists--with the mission of “making it easier to live, work, and do business in Japan.” Topics we cover today include the shifting views of startups in Japan, structural issues that have held back innovation in Japan (and what may be changing), as well as how a few simple perspective changes can make you a more effective communicator in Japan. Today's Japanese:  かおがひろい ka-o ga hi-ro-i 顔が広い Meaning: well-known, having diverse set of connections, well-connected Fuminori's Links:  TokyoMate Blog: https://tokyomate.jp/blog TokyoMate Website: https://tokyomate.jp/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fuminori-gunji-38a22589/ Related Episodes:  Finding Success in Japanese Universities, Startups, and Beyond with Austin Zeng: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Finding-Success-in-Japanese-Universities--Startups--and-Beyond-with-Austin-Zeng-e1687sh Why You Should Found Your Startup in Kobe with Masanori Nagamine: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Why-You-Should-Found-Your-Startup-in-Kobe-with-Masanori-Nagamine-eotr5u How to Make it Big in Japan: Navigating Culture, Burnout, and Entrepreneurship with Misha Yurchenko: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/How-to-Make-it-Big-in-Japan-Navigating-Culture--Burnout--and-Entrepreneurship-with-Misha-Yurchenko-et1045 Additional Reading: https://tokyomate.jp/blog/guide-to-japans-startup-ecosystem Japan as 196th (article by Richard Katz): https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/445356 Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated: 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

In today's episode, I'm chatting with Rie Eichmann, a global skills and mindset coach, intercultural trainer and consultant who is passionate about teaching “a global mindset” to professionals and the next generation to give them the confidence and skills for success in an increasingly-globalized world. While Rie is a native of Japan, she is currently based in Brisbane, Australia, and has years of experience living and working abroad in the UK, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States. Some topics we discover in today's conversation include developing open-mindedness as a skill, the importance of understanding how humor works in your target culture and language, and why it's essential to cultivate a mindset that supports your language learning. Today's Japanese:  うちそと u-chi so-to kanji: 内外 meaning: inside/outside, "in-group/out-group" Rie's Links:  Website: http://www.culturaltrainingconsultancy.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rieeichmann/ Instagram: @rie.eich Twitter: @EichmannRie Clubhouse: @rie.eich Bio Link (Japanese): https://www.globaliseyourself.com/rie-eichmann Podcast: https://anchor.fm/rie-eichmann Related Episodes:  The Power of Self-Reflection, Storytelling, and Finding Authentic Balance in Japan with Tim Sullivan: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/The-Power-of-Self-Reflection--Storytelling--and-Finding-Authentic-Balance-in-Japan-with-Tim-Sullivan-eul6jr Preventing Cross-Cultural Miscommunication and Leadership as Parenting with Chie Schuller: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Preventing-Cross-Cultural-Miscommunication-and-Leadership-as-Parenting-with-Chie-Schuller-eq9l8r Learning the Dance of Effective Cross-Cultural Communication in Japan with Kevin Crowell: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Learning-the-Dance-of-Effective-Cross-Cultural-Communication-in-Japan-with-Kevin-Crowell-e153r78 Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated: 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