This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）
Your greatest strength is that you understand both the culture, commercial customs, language and networks of your home country and the Japanese market and its business rules. You can put that strength to work in 2 directions: a strategy of going deeper into niches in the Japanese market, and a strategy of bridging Japan and countries abroad. The difficulties you have met with in Japan, and the experiences that have moved you here, can themselves become business ideas.
This is about how a foreign manager running a company in Japan can put their own strengths to work in the business.
In 2 directions: services aimed at your home-country culture and at particular communities, and inbound business that makes use of a foreign national's viewpoint.
The Japanese market is mature, and competition is said to be fierce in many fields. Seen from the viewpoint of a foreign manager, however, there are niche markets and untapped needs hidden there that Japanese people find hard to notice.
Rather than simply importing, conveying the culture and the story behind the product wins the sympathy of consumers. As well as an online store, it is effective to provide a place where people can experience the product, in a physical shop or a pop-up store. Building a solid network with communities of foreign residents in Japan and winning customers through word of mouth and community events is the key to success.
The reasons foreign tourists visit Japan have become more varied, and a growing number of them are not satisfied by uniform tours alone.
The difficulties you have met with in Japan as a foreign national, and the experiences that have moved you, can themselves become business ideas or hints for a plan.
There is the direction of taking Japanese products and services abroad, and the direction of welcoming companies and investors from abroad into Japan — both are open to you.
You not only understand business rules and commercial customs within Japan; you also have the business culture and the networks of your home country. The strength of knowing both of these worlds creates great value in the role of a bridge linking Japan and countries abroad.
If you understand local commercial customs and consumer needs, you can devise a marketing strategy fitted to the culture, and not merely a translation.
Understanding the business culture, the law and the personal connections of both countries makes it possible for a business to move smoothly from abroad into Japan.
Put your own strengths into words, keep your antenna up for information at all times, and make use of specialists.
The gaps in the market that you can see precisely because you are in Japan, and the unique position of linking the world and Japan. Not merely as a manager, but your very presence as someone who understands another culture and acts as an international bridge is your finest business asset.
That you have the culture and commercial customs, the language and the international networks of your home country, and at the same time understand the Japanese market and its business rules in depth. Knowing both of these is a distinctive strength that Japanese managers do not have.
Seen from the viewpoint of a foreign manager, there are niche markets and untapped needs hidden there that Japanese people find hard to notice. Products and services connected with your home-country culture, and inbound business that makes use of a foreign national's viewpoint, are examples.
Rather than simply importing, conveying the culture and the story behind the product. It is also effective to provide a place where people can experience the product, in a physical shop or a pop-up store, and to spread word of mouth through your networks with the community.
You can. Examples include end-to-end support covering market research, incorporation, applications for a status of residence and drawing up a sales strategy, as well as brokering M&A and investment deals and supporting technical tie-ups and joint ventures.
Tell us your situation and we will answer it directly. Available in Japanese and English.
Get a free consultationThis article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.