Steve caught up with Naomi in her capacity as Relationship Manager of FinCity.Tokyo. The conversation was a fascinating dive into the  promotion of Tokyo as a global financial hub, great opportunities for UK companies in the sector and the support offered by the FinCity.Tokyo and its members. With members comprising financial institutions, operating companies, industry groups and government agencies, FinCity.Tokyo aims to showcase Tokyo as a top-class global financial city. Learn more at...

In this episode we talk with Mark Dytham. The Klein Dytham architectural practice is behind award winning projects. He has over 30 years of experience from first encounters with Japanese architecture heroes, through establishing a practice in Japan and the myriad relationships built across the creative and construction industries and the wider business community in Japan. Here, among many keen insights, Mark sheds a light on the current state of construction and on market trends for office...

In this episode we reconnect with our very first guest, Tim Romero, who brought his insights from the world of startups. Today we have him back for a fascinating chat covering a range of topics including changing receptivity to innovation and collaboration amongst industry and government in Japan, as well as touching upon the hot topic of digital transformation. At the time of talking to Tim he is about to embark on his new role as Partner at JERA Ventures, investing in startups that can...

In this episode Steve chats with experienced lawyer, Hiroshi Chiba, of Uchisaiwaicho Law Firm. With his speciality in employment law, Chiba-san provides key insight on the subject. From recruiting and managing Japanese staff, through the particularities of Japanese employment law, what happens if something goes wrong, and how to avoid it in the first place! Hiroshi Chiba can be found here: http://chiba-lawfirm.com/english/ The webpage and access to all the other valuable resources of...

Welcome to the new season of episodes. Kicking off with a conversation about Intellectual Property with Mori-san from Shiga International Patent Office. https://shigapatent.com/en/    

The UK-Japan Digital Partnership was signed at the end of 2022. Steve talked to Jana Psarska earlier in the year to discuss the implication of the agreement, the priorities and collaboration in digital technologies, infrastructure and data. Jana enlightens us on the complimentary strengths of the UK and Japan, the importance of commitment to like-minded partners to help drive the UK's digital strategy, and opening up opportunities for British companies. techUK is a trade association...

Professor Joe Howe and Richard Lyle talk to Steve about the hydrogen economy in Japan. Professor Joe Howe is Executive Director of the Thornton Energy Research Institute of the University of Chester, Chair of the Northwest Hydrogen Alliance, and academic lead at Hynet, among other roles. He has strong connections with Japan and shares his valuable and extensive knowledge and experience on the status and progress in hydrogen technologies, and commercial opportunities.  Richard Lyle appears...

The second part of Steve's chat with Anil Malhotra, Chief Marketing Officer (and co-founder) speaking from the UK, and Andy Suzuki, SVP for APAC, based in Tokyo. Bango's recent acquisition of the global payment business of Japanese telecommunications giant NTT Docomo, prompted us to get in touch with Andy and Anil for a discussion on the route they have taken to build trust and establish themselves in the Japanese market. Learn about the rise of Bango, its long connection with Japan and...

Steve talks to Bango's Anil Malhotra, Chief Marketing Officer (and co-founder) speaking from the UK, and Andy Suzuki, SVP for APAC, based in Tokyo. Bango's recent acquisition of the global payment business of Japanese telecommunications giant NTT Docomo, prompted us to get in touch with Andy and Anil for a discussion on the route they have taken to build trust and establish themselves in the Japanese market. Learn about the origins and rise of Bango and its long connection with Japan. Hear...

Rutherford's bags are a success story of grassroots consumer goods expanding into the Japanese market. Capitalising on the value and trust Japanese consumers put on high quality British products.  Alex Hughes has been working with a Japanese distributer for over 10 years and has great insight into maintaining the working relationships and the investments required to successfully embed into the Japanese market. Find out more about Rutherford's: https://rutherfordsengland.com/ Find out more...

Steve catches up with Gary Waterfall, the Senior Defence Advisor to Clarion Defence & Security (not to mention the (now retired) Air Vice Marshall's packed military career and being part of The Red Arrows!). DSEI JAPAN 2023 comes after the recent reciprocal access agreement between UK and JAPAN, as well as the landmark GCAP (Global Combat Air Program) - the trilateral agreement (along with Italy) to work together on the next generation combat aircraft for cutting edge air defence. Gary...

Nanako Aramaki, Chief Localisation Officer, from Tokyo/London content marketing agency Tamlo, joins Steve in a chat that covers the specific considerations for digital marketing in Japan. Copying and pasting your global campaign won't cut it! Localisation is the key. We also cover social media in Japan, the rise of influencer marketing, and the importance of building trust with your Japanese audience. Nanako brings a fresh perspective. Enjoy! For more on marketing in Japan visit the sales...

How a 17 year old British programmer brought to Japan by Nintendo went on to found one of the most successful independent games development studios in Japan! - PART 2 As we head toward the New Year, how about catching up with the rest of Steve's conversation with Q-Games to motivate you with their success story? Hear about getting to know and work in, the often challenging but highly rewarding, Japanese market. And the nurturing environment of Kyoto, as a contrast to the non-stop metropolis...

How a 17 year old British programmer brought to Japan by Nintendo went on to found one of the most successful independent games development studios in Japan! 'tis the season! A wintertime two-parter to warm your cockles! Steve tucks into hearty conversation with Dylan Cuthbert and Hollie Hughes from Kyoto-based Q-Games. Learn more about Dylan's amazing journey, being brought to Japan by Nintendo, working with Sony and Google, to founding his own company in 2001. Hollie covers the valuable...

Steve talks to experts from Dentsu and E&Y Strategy & Consulting about opportunities around OSAKA EXPO 2025 and beyond. OSAKA EXPO 2025 "Designing Future Society for Our Lives" is a great opportunity to shed light on the vast potential of the Kansai region and western Japan. There is a lot going on beyond the metropolis of Tokyo. Kay Nemoto, Senior Business Co-creation Producer at Dentsu, and Minami Uchida, Partner at E&Y Strategy and Consulting, offer their thoughts and...

In this month's instalment Steve chats with Richard Lyle, the new(ish) President of the British Chamber of Commerce Japan (BCCJ). With the mission to strengthen business ties between UK and Japan, BCCJ is a not-for-profit private membership organisation that brings together representatives of UK and international businesses to promote networking and information exchange. Ahead of the prestigious British Business Awards, Richard enlightens us on the great initiatives spearheaded by BCCJ and...

Steve talks to Masayasu Ishida, the President and CEO of SPACETIDE Foundation.  Discussing the current status of commercial space opportunities in Japan and beyond. As well as opportunities for UK players to collaborate and get involved.  Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum Official Website: https://www.aprsaf.org/annual_meetings/aprsaf28/meeting_details.php SPACETIDE Contact Information: Official Website: https://spacetide.jp/en/ Email: [email protected]  

In this episode, Steve talks financial services with Takuma Tanaka, Deputy Director of the Strategy Development Division of the Financial Services Agency in Japan (JFSA). The two discuss the opportunities in Financial services in Japan, recent policy changes and the challenges that still remain in the market. Helpful links: International Financial Center Japan https://www.fsa.go.jp/internationalfinancialcenter/en/ JFSA on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/financial-services-agency-japan/

Japanese business is often compared to the ecosystem on the Galapagos Islands: unique due to its isolation. Can changes in regulation provide a shot in the arm for Japan's economy? Steve talks to Dr. Lei Liu from AstraZeneca Japan about some the challenges and opportunities being brought about by this period of rapid change.

In this episode, Steve talks to Rupert Sutton from Weben Partners. Rupert is an experienced FMCG Commercial Director. He has global expertise in strategy development, consumer and trade marketing, CRM, research, and sales category management. Rupert explains some key concepts to understand about the Japanese consumer that companies should consider before entering the Japanese market.

In this episode, Steve talks to Mitch Chihara, International Relations Advisor at Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA).

In this episode, we interview Tajinder Banwait, Founder and Managing Director at Urban Apothecary London. Tajinder shares some great insight into her company's journey into the Japanese market.

Today we explore some of the opportunities in Japan's energy market with Dan Shulman, CEO at Shulman Advisory.

In today's episode, Steve speaks to Takeshi Kito and Yuki Kishi from the Fintech Association of Japan about the emerging trends in financial technology. They discuss some of the bigger picture of the Japanese fintech market, give examples of foreign companies having success in the market, and explore some of the current opportunities.