Why We Launch Japan Business Secrets
You deserve better insights than what's out there. That's why we launch this newsletter
Hi, and welcome to the first issue of Japan Business Secrets.
Let’s be honest: Why another newsletter on doing business in Japan?
I know you’re busy. You have a team to lead and clients to serve. I get that you’re not here to consume generic advice about exchanging business cards or the "right" way to bow.
This newsletter isn’t about etiquette. It’s about the things that really move the needle in Japan.
A lot of the advice out there is outdated, it’s stuck in a mindset of the 1980’s.
What you need is different—something that actually gives you an edge in Japan in 2025 and beyond.
That’s why we launch Japan Business Secrets.
Our mission is to make you a smarter, more effective leader in today’s Japan. It’s about exploring why things work the way they do—and how to navigate them with clarity and confidence.
It’s also about shifting perspectives—questioning long-held beliefs about doing business in Japan and uncovering some of our unconscious biases about this country and our Japanese partners as we move toward 2030.
What We Believe In
Culture is fluid. There’s corporate culture and administrative culture. Startups and conglomerates. Entrepreneurs and salaryman CEOs.
The people you deal with may share a similar educational foundation, but the reality is far more diverse. Japan isn’t monolithic, and neither is its business culture.
Context matters. A boardroom meeting isn’t the same as a pre-discussion over coffee. A project meeting over Zoom? Different vibe than an evening outing over drinks.
We’ll sharpen your instincts so you know when to adjust, how to read the room, and what the Japanese expect from you in any situation. Get this right, and you won’t just navigate business in Japan—you’ll build trust that lasts.
We believe in nuance. What we assume to be true about Japan can be perceived very differently by the Japanese. That’s why we go deep, not broad—telling stories from both sides to uncover what really drives business in Japan.
The One Thing We Don’t Believe in
We don’t believe in rigid cross-cultural advice, so you won’t find the usual lists of Dos and Don’ts here. What matters more than knowing how to bow or when to stay silent is understanding why it matters.
But when it comes to practical execution, we’ll be tactical—giving you the resources, steps and tools you need to take action when it counts.
What We’re About
We help country managers, international executives, and professionals like you working in or with Japanese companies make smarter decisions. That means:
✅ Making sense of meetings in Japan and the corporate decision-making process
✅ Questioning some of our beliefs about Japan
✅ Recognizing - and overcoming - cultural blind spots that slow you down
But that’s not all. We’ll also dive deep into Japan’s corporate world and the forces driving change—so you get an up-to-date picture of what’s going on in Japan and stay ahead of the curve.
What We’re Not
Forget the usual clichés about doing business in Japan. This is not another:
❌ “How to behave in Japan” guide—you're an adult, and you don’t need a lecture
❌ collection of academic theories—we focus on practical, real-world insights
❌ list of rigid rules—business is dynamic, and so is our approach
You’re here to get ahead, in your professional life. You’re here to get results, for you and your business in Japan.
That’s why we’ve created Japan Business Secrets—to bridge the gap between business culture and business strategy, giving you frameworks, tools and insights you can apply to succeed in this dynamic market.
Every post will be worth your time and attention. That’s my promise to you.
Now, let’s get started.