<![CDATA[Japan Business Success with Sakurai]]>Through the interview series of Bridging Borders: Japan Edition, you hear real stories and tactics from people who’ve worked with Japanese companies, so foreign companies can enter and grow in Japan with fewer mistakes.

]]>https://www.instagram.com/sakurai_consultant/Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:03:28 GMTThu, 04 Dec 2025 13:26:13 GMT60Rie Sakurai<p>Through the interview series of Bridging Borders: Japan Edition, you hear real stories and tactics from people who’ve worked with Japanese companies, so foreign companies can enter and grow in Japan with fewer mistakes.</p>episodicRie Sakuraikaizendigital2025@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Watch This If You Want Japanese Companies to Trust You]]>Summary

In this episode of Bridging Borders, Rie Sakurai interviews Maya Matsuoka, a corporate communications and cross-cultural consultant based in Tokyo. Maya shares her journey of moving to Japan, the challenges she faced in understanding Japanese corporate culture, and the importance of consensus in business. She discusses effective communication strategies within Japanese teams, the significance of building rapport, and the role of intermediaries in facilitating business meetings. Maya emphasizes the need for patience and understanding when entering the Japanese market, highlighting the cultural nuances that can impact business success.


Takeaways

  • Maya Matsuoka's journey to Japan began in 2001 due to personal reasons, not cultural interest.
  • Finding a job in Japan was challenging due to language barriers and cultural differences.
  • Understanding Japanese corporate culture requires patience and experience.
  • Consensus is a crucial aspect of decision-making in Japanese business.
  • Effective communication in teams involves continuous dialogue, not just asking for help when needed.
  • Building rapport with Japanese colleagues is essential for successful collaboration.
  • Cultural differences can make or break business deals in Japan.
  • Foreign companies must adjust their expectations when entering the Japanese market.
  • The role of intermediaries is vital in bridging communication gaps between foreign and Japanese companies.
  • Patience is key for foreign companies to succeed in the Japanese market.

]]>ab1f0fec-669c-4768-a9d8-7f48e2f75ed0Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:20:54 GMT<p>Summary</p><p>In this episode of Bridging Borders, Rie Sakurai interviews Maya Matsuoka, a corporate communications and cross-cultural consultant based in Tokyo. Maya shares her journey of moving to Japan, the challenges she faced in understanding Japanese corporate culture, and the importance of consensus in business. She discusses effective communication strategies within Japanese teams, the significance of building rapport, and the role of intermediaries in facilitating business meetings. Maya emphasizes the need for patience and understanding when entering the Japanese market, highlighting the cultural nuances that can impact business success.</p><p><br />Takeaways</p><ul><li>Maya Matsuoka's journey to Japan began in 2001 due to personal reasons, not cultural interest.</li><li>Finding a job in Japan was challenging due to language barriers and cultural differences.</li><li>Understanding Japanese corporate culture requires patience and experience.</li><li>Consensus is a crucial aspect of decision-making in Japanese business.</li><li>Effective communication in teams involves continuous dialogue, not just asking for help when needed.</li><li>Building rapport with Japanese colleagues is essential for successful collaboration.</li><li>Cultural differences can make or break business deals in Japan.</li><li>Foreign companies must adjust their expectations when entering the Japanese market.</li><li>The role of intermediaries is vital in bridging communication gaps between foreign and Japanese companies.</li><li>Patience is key for foreign companies to succeed in the Japanese market.<p></p></li></ul>no00:55:5114Watch This If You Want Japanese Companies to Trust Youfull<![CDATA[From J-Rock to Muji Canada: Joe’s Wild Journey Into Japanese Business]]>In this episode 3 of Bridging Borders, Rie Sakurai interviews Joe Tamko, a communication and brand strategist with extensive experience in Japanese business culture. Joe shares his journey from France to Japan, discussing the importance of understanding local customs, such as the necessity of asking for permission and the cultural significance of apologies. He provides insights for international founders looking to enter the Japanese market, emphasizing the need for cultural adaptation and the role of intermediaries in facilitating successful collaborations. The conversation also highlights the differences between French and Japanese business practices, using Joe's experience with Muji's expansion into Canada as a case study. In this conversation, Joe Tamko and Rie Sakurai delve into the intricacies of doing business in Japan, discussing the importance of building local partnerships, understanding cultural nuances, and the role of socializing in business. They explore the significance of due diligence, the need for profiling potential partners, and the balance between planning and action in Japanese business culture. The discussion also highlights negotiation strategies, implicit communication, and the challenges faced by foreigners in adapting to Japanese customs and practices.

]]>efec0cd9-e5f9-44b5-ac6c-7615908ccd0cFri, 12 Dec 2025 14:27:00 GMT<p>In this episode 3 of Bridging Borders, Rie Sakurai interviews Joe Tamko, a communication and brand strategist with extensive experience in Japanese business culture. Joe shares his journey from France to Japan, discussing the importance of understanding local customs, such as the necessity of asking for permission and the cultural significance of apologies. He provides insights for international founders looking to enter the Japanese market, emphasizing the need for cultural adaptation and the role of intermediaries in facilitating successful collaborations. The conversation also highlights the differences between French and Japanese business practices, using Joe's experience with Muji's expansion into Canada as a case study. In this conversation, Joe Tamko and Rie Sakurai delve into the intricacies of doing business in Japan, discussing the importance of building local partnerships, understanding cultural nuances, and the role of socializing in business. They explore the significance of due diligence, the need for profiling potential partners, and the balance between planning and action in Japanese business culture. The discussion also highlights negotiation strategies, implicit communication, and the challenges faced by foreigners in adapting to Japanese customs and practices.</p><p></p>no01:13:3513From J-Rock to Muji Canada: Joe’s Wild Journey Into Japanese Businessfull<![CDATA[30 Years of Japan Business Knowledge in 20 Minutes]]>Summary

The conversation delves into the complexities and vulnerabilities faced by country managers, particularly in Japan. It highlights the prestige and autonomy associated with the role, while also emphasizing the significant risks and accountability that come with it. The discussion reveals how country managers must navigate a landscape where they are responsible for local operations but often have limited control over corporate decisions, leading to a challenging dynamic.

]]>81ce2dba-0e3f-4066-99e1-6e0aa4e67d7eFri, 05 Dec 2025 18:21:27 GMT<p>Summary</p><p>The conversation delves into the complexities and vulnerabilities faced by country managers, particularly in Japan. It highlights the prestige and autonomy associated with the role, while also emphasizing the significant risks and accountability that come with it. The discussion reveals how country managers must navigate a landscape where they are responsible for local operations but often have limited control over corporate decisions, leading to a challenging dynamic.</p><p></p>no00:23:081230 Years of Japan Business Knowledge in 20 Minutesfull<![CDATA[How to Win Deals in Japan: Align Before You Enter the Boardroom]]>In this Episode 1 of Bridging Borders: Japan Edition, Iris Kuhnert discusses the intricacies of decision-making within organizations, emphasizing that true decisions are often made prior to formal meetings. She highlights the importance of patience in achieving alignment and the necessity of understanding the broader impact of decisions on the organization. Additionally, she stresses the significance of relationship building, particularly in customer interactions, which may require more frequent visits compared to Western practices.

]]>9f8efa8b-3076-43ec-a323-65cf2ce8f6ceThu, 04 Dec 2025 13:28:12 GMT<p>In this Episode 1 of Bridging Borders: Japan Edition, Iris Kuhnert discusses the intricacies of decision-making within organizations, emphasizing that true decisions are often made prior to formal meetings. She highlights the importance of patience in achieving alignment and the necessity of understanding the broader impact of decisions on the organization. Additionally, she stresses the significance of relationship building, particularly in customer interactions, which may require more frequent visits compared to Western practices.</p>no00:23:46How to Win Deals in Japan: Align Before You Enter the Boardroomfull