Japan is known for stability and incremental change. But history shows that when shocks occur — political, corporate, or social — reforms can move surprisingly fast. Recent events, from the resignation of Suntory’s chairman to the aftermath of former Prime Minister Abe’s assassination, show how crises accelerate shifts that would otherwise take decades. Abe’s Assassination […]

One of the most misunderstood aspects of doing business in Japan is negotiation. Proposals don’t often generate immediate replies. A “no” is rarely spoken outright. Instead, silence or long delays are common, leaving you unsure whether there’s real interest or not. In Kanto, this pattern is especially clear. You may submit a well-prepared proposal and […]

Having lived and worked in Japan for over four decades—split almost evenly between Osaka and Tokyo—and with roots in a Kansai university education, we’ve had the chance to see Japan’s business world from both sides of the cultural spectrum. That background has shaped an observation we keep coming back to: when it comes to negotiating, […]

For years, childbirth in Japan has been seen through the lens of endurance. Epidurals, while common in many countries, were rare here. In 2017, only about 5% of births involved epidurals. By 2022, the figure had doubled to 11.6%, and by 2024 it had reached 13.8%. In Tokyo, more than 30% of women now choose […]

In business, the partners you choose can make all the difference. For a small or medium-sized enterprise in Japan, working with other SMEs can be one of the smartest moves you make. Over the years, we’ve built relationships with smaller companies whose CEOs are not only talented but deeply invested in what they do. These […]

Sometimes, being early is a strength. But it doesn’t always guarantee you’ll be the one to win. Back in 2011, we launched HealthyIM — a concierge service for medical travel in Japan. The vision was clear: Japan had some of the world’s best healthcare, but very few resources for international patients. We built a multilingual […]

What do Aesop, Blue Bottle Coffee, and Patagonia have in common? They all found early traction in Japan — and used that credibility to multiply their growth worldwide. Aesop opened in Tokyo in 2003. By 2014, Japan had become a top market for the brand. Their carefully designed stores and customer experience resonated strongly with […]

In Japan, we often encounter a deep respect for detail, precision, and process. These traits can lead to beautiful craftsmanship and carefully run operations. But they can also lead to paralysis. We’ve seen many businesses, Japanese and foreign alike, stumble in this environment — not because their products were weak or their strategies unsound, but […]

Japan is a country where people wear a belt and suspenders, metaphorically, and sometimes literally. In business, this approach to risk shows up in every layer: operations, compliance, product development, marketing approvals, and even basic logistics. It’s why contracts are dense, why small mistakes carry long memories, and why “yes” often takes months. What looks […]

In Japan, when selling to businesses, it often feels like you only get one chance to make a lasting impression. It may seem like this applies to all customers, but it’s especially true in the B2B space. Japanese business clients may not always articulate their expectations upfront, but once they do, those expectations are detailed […]