Business Success Japan

The podcast covers topics like Japanese government support for foreign students, common pitfalls faced by foreign students in Japan, balancing integration while retaining uniqueness, exploring myths about the MEXT scholarship, navigating scholarships and work opportunities for foreign students, and the dynamics of internships in Japan's work culture.

In today's episode, I’m sharing a conversation with Kevin Crowell. He is president of Asia Business Group, a company that he started nearly thirty years ago, and is the Chief Cross-Cultural Outreach Officer of the organization Pacific Tango group.  Kevin has decades of experience working in Japan and with Japanese people and companies, so be sure to listen in to learn more about his background and what he’s learned from his wide-ranging experiences with Japan. Some topics he discusses in this episode include the impact of the rotating management system in Japanese companies on their subsidiaries, how the cultural view of quality commonly causes issues for businesses moving in and out of Japan, and the hidden power of using hobbies to connect and network with Japanese people. Japanese Word:  しゅみ shu-mi kanji: 趣味 meaning: hobby Kevin's Links: Company: www.AsiaBizGroup.com Pacific Tango Group:  www.PacificTangoGroup.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevincrowell/ Hobby Page: www.UKULELEjapan.com Related Episodes:  Anil Raj on Entrepreneurship and Mentorship in Japan: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Anil-Raj-on-Entrepreneurship-and-Mentorship-in-Japan-egfc87 Managing Professional Relationships and Gaijin-Cards in Japan with Mac Salman: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Managing-Professional-Relationships-and-Gaijin-Cards-in-Japan-with-Mac-Salman-eh93ek Faye-Sensei on Culture Shock and the Power of Open-Mindedness: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Faye-Sensei-on-Culture-Shock-and-the-Power-of-Open-Mindedness-ees6v8 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 get to share a conversation with Francis Pacheco, a native of the Philippines. His work with the agency GMI POST has involved creating and publishing investment guides for Foreign Affairs Magazine of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City and The Japan Times, which is Japan's oldest and largest English language daily newspaper. Today, he shares the importance of the concept of monzukuri in Japanese niche manufacturing today, the growing role that universities in the US have already begun to play in Japanese innovation, and the growing significance of native-run Japanese subsidiary companies in their host countries and beyond. Today's Japanese:  ものづくり mo-no-zu-ku-ri kanji: 物作り meaning: manufacturing, craftsmanship Francis' links: Company: https://www.gmipost.com/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/francispacheco/ Book Recommendation: Bending Adversity: Japan and the Art of Survival: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18114295-bending-adversity?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=7VZ4wyYEQL&rank=1 Related Episodes:  Obstacles, Trends, and Ideas for Addressing the Japanese Talent Shortage with Alan Acosta: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Obstacles--Trends--and-Ideas-for-Addressing-the-Japanese-Talent-Shortage-with-Alan-Acosta-es7iep Opportunities for Disruption and Collaboration in Japan and Germany with Johannes Budkiewitz: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Opportunities-for-Disruption-and-Collaboration-in-Japan-and-Germany-with-Johannes-Budkiewitz-empsit On Refugees, Diversity, and Revitalization: Making Room for Growth in a Shrinking Country with Seira Yun: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/On-Refugees--Diversity--and-Revitalization-Making-Room-for-Growth-in-a-Shrinking-Country-with-Seira-Yun-eqnlor Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help me stay well-caffeinated enough to keep the content flowing: 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 chat with Cindy Bissig of Obsessed with Japan and the new YouTube channel, Let’s Travel and Eat. Cindy is an experienced content creator who has more than 15 years of experience in hospitality. The focus of her work lies in travel, events, food and beverage, and she is also a professional sake sommelier. Today, she will also share some of her experiences as a digital nomad in Japan, so be sure to listen in to hear more about what that looks like in Japan. Today's Language: めがたかい me ga ta-ka-i 目が高い Meaning: good taste, a discerning eye Example Usage: お目が高いですね Meaning: "You have good taste." "You have a discerning eye." Cindy's Links:  LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-bissig/ Obsessed with Japan: https://obsessedwithjapan.com/ https://www.facebook.com/obsessedwithjapan/ https://www.instagram.com/obsessedwithjapan/?hl=en Let's Travel and Eat: https://www.youtube.com/c/LetsTravelandEat https://www.facebook.com/letstraveland https://www.instagram.com/lets.travel.and.eat/ Sake Nomad: https://www.sakenomad.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sakenomad/ Related Episodes: Tourism and Covid-19: Effects and Opportunities in Japan with Bonson Lam: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Tourism-and-Covid-19-Effects-and-Opportunities-in-Japan-with-Bonson-Lam-ehut7k Anil Raj on Entrepreneurship and Mentorship in Japan: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Anil-Raj-on-Entrepreneurship-and-Mentorship-in-Japan-egfc87 Sébastien on Omotenashi and Special Diets in Japan: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Sbastien-on-Omotenashi-and-Special-Diets-in-Japan-ef8coh Additional Links:  Jetro: https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/ TOSBEC: https://www.startup-support.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/onestop/en/ Venture Cafe: https://venturecafetokyo.org/ Want to support the podcast? Check the podcast's ko-fi page to help keep me well-caffeinated and the episodes flowing: 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 Will Jasprizza, the managing director of Japan at the international business development consultancy, Intralink. Although born in Australia and educated as a lawyer, Will found himself starting a new life teaching English in Japan that eventually brought him to his current role, where he and his team works to make the expansion of foreign companies into Japan fast, easy, and cost effective. During the episode, Will discusses the importance of prioritizing positioning yourself as a reliable partner early in business relationships with Japanese companies, how business development has changed in Japan in recent years, and important changes in Japanese business practices that COVID has accelerated by years. Language:  はんこ ha-n-ko Meaning: a stamp used as a personal seal in place of a signature, commonly used for paperwork and within Japanese companies Will's Links:  Company: www.intralinkgroup.com GenkiEnglish (former company): https://genkienglish.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-jasprizza-4452972/ Related Episodes: Tourism and Covid-19: Effects and Opportunities in Japan with Bonson Lam: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Tourism-and-Covid-19-Effects-and-Opportunities-in-Japan-with-Bonson-Lam-ehut7k 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 Covid-19's Influence on Travel and Finding Your Place Professionally in Japan with Maya Matsuoka: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Covid-19s-Influence-on-Travel-and-Finding-Your-Place-Professionally-in-Japan-with-Maya-Matsuoka-ere7kv Additional Links:  Contact page: https://www.intralinkgroup.com/en-GB/Contact-Us Client for 10+ years: https://www.goodfellow.com (CEO Stephen Aldersley) Eight (“Japanese LinkedIn”): https://8card.net/ Sansan (parent company of Eight): https://www.sansan.com Starbucks joint venture: https://www.starbucks.co.jp/en/company.html Japan digitizes signing procedures: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Markets/Japan-investors-swoop-for-digital-hanko-stocks 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 David Tonge, a designer and owner of the London-based design studio The Division, who has worked extensively in Asia and in particular has a long relationship with Japan. David has 30 years experience as Designer, Director and Advisor to some of the worlds most successful brands. He’s also a Visiting Professor at Kanazawa Art University in Japan. Topics that we discuss today include his experiences as an industrial designer in Japan and with Japanese companies abroad, the importance of patience in finding success in Japan, what it means to "interpret" culture in design, and why the pace of decision-making itself may affect whether your project even gets off the ground. Today's Language: おとしどころ o-to-shi-do-ko-ro 落とし所 Literally: "the place where things fall" Meaning: compromise, common ground David's Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtonge/ Company Website: https://the-division.com/ Art Photography: https://www.dtonge.co.uk/ Related Episodes:  Understanding the Japanese Marketplace with Natalie Meyer: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Understanding-the-Japanese-Marketplace-with-Natalie-Meyer-ejo3l3 Discovering Ma: Finding Success in Japan by Learning to Pay Attention with Byron Barón: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Discovering-Ma-Finding-Success-in-Japan-by-Learning-to-Pay-Attention-with-Byron-Barn-ejiru4 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. Leave me a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message

In today's episode, I share a conversation with Tim Sullivan. He is a bilingual cross-cultural educator who connects people through storytelling by using a combination of monologue and interactive exercises. Now semi-retired, he has decades of experience working in Japan and offering training in cross-cultural communication and Japanese manufacturing management techniques to a laundry list of international companies. Some topics we discuss include the role that personal reflection plays on improvement, the power of storytelling in Japanese culture and cross-cultural learning, and the importance of examining your own culture to better understand that of others. Today's Language:  はんせい ha-n-se-i 反省（反省会） meaning: reflection, contemplation, regret, repentance Tim's Links:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-sullivan-3528486/ Clubhouse: @atamitim Clubhouse Club Name: Intercult Twilight Zone Intercultural Twilight Zone: https://japaninsight.wordpress.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCERUddDJxdFMANb0iXDG5Yw Related Episodes:  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 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 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 Book Recommendations:  The Storytelling Animal: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12743473-the-storytelling-animal?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=cqL1lk1srI&rank=1 Japanese Patterns of Behavior: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3171431-japanese-patterns-of-behavior?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=QOLDzNGUDd&rank=1 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 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. Leave a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message

In today’s episode, I chat with Misha Yurchenko, founder of the global coaching startup platform, Carrus. He was previously based in Tokyo where he worked for several years as a recruiter helping tech companies like Facebook, Netflix and Amazon hire top talent. Today's Language: たんしんふにん ta-n-shi-n-fu-ni-n 単身赴任 meaning: a job transfer away from home (domestic or abroad), typically without one's family Misha's Links: Blog: https://mishayurchenko.me/ Career Coaching Platform: https://carrus.io/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Big-Japan-Stories-Lessons/dp/B08NVL69CM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misha-yurchenko-88458565/ Clubhouse: @themisha Related Episodes: 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 Anil Raj on Entrepreneurship and Mentorship in Japan: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Anil-Raj-on-Entrepreneurship-and-Mentorship-in-Japan-egfc87 Successfully Navigating Your Tech Career and Avoiding Burnout in Japan with Paul Roberts: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Successfully-Navigating-Your-Tech-Career-and-Avoiding-Burnout-in-Japan-with-Paul-Roberts-en236f Book Recommendations:  Making it Big in Japan: Stories, Lessons and Advice from Expats Living the Dream: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56400766-making-it-big-in-japan Finite and Infinite Games: A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/189989.Finite_and_Infinite_Games 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 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. Leave a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message

In today's episode, I chat with Michael Howard Thuresson, a former Japan-based consumer electronics product manager who is currently working as a U.S.-based marketing manager for Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. He is also the author of the memoir “The Salary Man,” which documents some of the experiences and misadventures he accumulated over the course of a decade as a foreign サラリーマン in Japan.  Today's Language:  サラリーマン sa-ra-ri-i-man meaning: full-time (male) employee at a Japanese company Michael's Links:  Website: www.thesalarymanbook.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-howard-thuresson-a39735/ Related Episodes:  Anil Raj on Entrepreneurship and Mentorship in Japan: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Anil-Raj-on-Entrepreneurship-and-Mentorship-in-Japan-egfc87 Managing Professional Relationships and Gaijin-Cards in Japan with Mac Salman: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Managing-Professional-Relationships-and-Gaijin-Cards-in-Japan-with-Mac-Salman-eh93ek 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: https://ko-fi.com/businesssuccessjapan Be sure to 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. Leave me a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message

In today's episode, I chat with Alan Acosta of Workshift Solutions, Japan's largest platform of registered overseas freelancers. Workshift Solutions allows companies to quickly and inexpensively access talented, multilingual overseas freelancers online for inbound and E-Commerce support, multi-language translation, overseas market surveys, overseas market research, telephone appointment assistance, sales channel expansion, design and much more. Alan himself grew up spending many years of his life moving from country to country learning new languages and lifestyles before settling in Japan. We chat about what is already being done to address the labor shortage in Japan, how universities are already adapting to the need for more foreigners to join their ranks, and why it’s still difficult for foreign freelancers to find their place in the Japanese job market. Today's word: しゅうしょくかつどう shu-u-sho-ku-ka-tsu-do-u 就職活動 meaning: job-searching (activities) Alan's Links: Workshift Solutions: https://workshift-sol.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-acosta-146b1810/ Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies (IUC): https://iucjapan.org/index_e.html Related Episodes: Pursuing Mastery of the Japanese Language with Graeme Lawrence: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Pursuing-Mastery-of-the-Japanese-Language-with-Graeme-Lawrence-ekp1p5 On Refugees, Diversity, and Revitalization: Making Room for Growth in a Shrinking Country with Seira Yun: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/On-Refugees--Diversity--and-Revitalization-Making-Room-for-Growth-in-a-Shrinking-Country-with-Seira-Yun-eqnlor 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 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. Leave me a voice message here: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/message