In the world of medical devices, precision and reliability are paramount. During my tenure as the head of a leading medical device company, we introduced multiple injection systems that quickly became market leaders worldwide, including in Japan. These products were celebrated for their reliability and performance and were accepted without a single complaint in markets […]

If you’ve spent time working in Japan, you know the country is famous for precision, process, and polite efficiency. There’s a lot to admire here — common-sense systems, a deep respect for doing things right, and a serious commitment to quality. But sometimes, Japan makes things complicated just for the sake of being complicated. One […]

Japan is known for being polite, but that doesn’t always translate to fairness in business. We’ve seen it firsthand. Sometimes large companies, whether intentionally or not, push smaller or less experienced companies too hard. It can happen quietly. It can happen systematically. And if you’re not paying attention, it can trap you in agreements that […]

When we first started doing business in Japan, we underestimated how long things would take, and how much they would cost. We’ve since learned that Japan isn’t difficult, it’s different. It’s a market that demands patience, trust, and commitment. Success here takes twice the time, and three times the money you initially expect. What We’ve […]

Japanese consumers are often portrayed as conservative, but that’s not quite right. They’re curious, discerning, and often open to new experiences — once they feel comfortable. This is why at Japan Startup Advisory, we emphasize what we call The Hamburger Theory. The idea is simple: When people are hungry, especially in unfamiliar or high-speed environments, […]

Getting into Japan is an accomplishment.Scaling in Japan is a completely different challenge. We’ve seen companies launch with momentum — the product gets listed, a distributor signs on, and there’s even a bit of media buzz. But six months later, nothing moves. The product sits. The follow-through fades. Teams begin to wonder whether Japan was […]

Ask most foreign companies what their strategy is for entering Japan, and somewhere in the plan you’ll hear:“Once we get in front of the buyer…” But that’s where things usually break down. You can have a beautiful brand, a proven product, and global success — and still walk out of the meeting with a polite […]

Japan is the world’s third-largest consumer market, known for its discerning customers, high standards, and global influence — especially in food, beauty, and lifestyle. It’s a market many global companies dream of entering. Yet despite deep pockets and proven international success, most foreign market strategies in Japan underperform — or fail outright. Surveys by JETRO […]

So you want to open a retail store in Japan? You’re not alone. Japan is the third-largest consumer market in the world, and for many global brands, having a physical presence here is a sign of prestige and strategic importance. But entering retail in Japan — especially department stores or high-end commercial facilities — is […]

Japan’s labor market might appear stable from the outside — organized, loyal, and structured. But for companies trying to hire and scale here, especially foreign startups and SMEs, the reality is more complex — and often unexpectedly difficult. At Japan Startup Advisory, we’ve hired hundreds of people across retail, food production, back office, marketing, and […]