In this episode, we take a deep dive into the often-mystifying Japanese business practices that foreigners in Japan struggle to navigate. Intercultural facilitator Masafumi Otsuka sheds light on puzzling practices like "Why Japanese managers change jobs every three years" and "Why they always see the glass as half empty." Masa offers a logical breakdown of the periodic job rotation system and Japan’s risk-averse decision-making process.

We also explore key cultural concepts that are often misunderstood by Westerners—such as Nemawashi, Genten Shugi, and Kyochosei—all explained by Masa in a fun and enlightening way.

Masa shares personal stories about his own struggles, including returning to Japan as a student, the politics behind leaving a high-profile job, and what it's like to feel "1/3 Japanese, 1/3 American, and 1/3 confused." This episode is packed with insights and humor, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of Japanese business culture.

Other highlights from our conversation:

• Why there is no Japanese word for "procrastinate"
• The unspoken rule for Japanese overseas returnee students
• The priority in Japan is harmonize
• What does an Intercultural Facilitator do?
• Best ever explanation of Nemawashi & Genten Shugi
• The subtle art of not having to tell everything
• Expertise in Japan is 10ft. wide and 1inch deep while in the US its 1inch wide and 10ft. deep
• Strategies for getting a positive outcome from Japanese meetings
• The reason Japanese prefer the process vs the outcome

Masafumi Otsuka: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masafumiotsuka/
More Now and Zen Japan episodes: http://nowandzen.jp

Grow website traffic = Zo Digital: https://www.zodigital.jp/
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

In this episode, I’m joined by Yuko Tamura, an award-winning writer on the Medium platform and editor of Japonica—the go-to publication for everything Japan. Yuko’s writing is a blend of "Fun Facts about Japan" and what she calls "a little rebellious essays" from Tokyo.

We discuss some of her standout articles, including "The 3 Facts You Should Know Before Marketing to Japan." Yuko has a passion for cross-cultural topics and offers valuable advice for both Japanese and English speakers on how to avoid cultural misunderstandings.

We also talk about her experiences writing for Medium, the opportunities for writers, and why Japonica is a must-join community for anyone covering Japan-related topics.

Our conversation takes a deep dive into themes such as gender inequality in Japan, dealing with internet trolls, and how Yuko became bi-cultural despite never living outside of Japan. We also touch on her experiences working for both Japanese and foreign companies, as well as other fascinating stories from her career. Other topics we discuss:

• Discuss her "3 Facts to know before Marketing to Japan" article
• "Hone" and "Tatemae" explained from a Japanese perspective
• Breaks down the anatomy of internal business meetings at Japanese companies
• Why decisions take longer in corporate Japan
• Writing and speaking in English being a "liberating" exercise
• Only writing in English about gender inequality to avoid internet trolls
• The Motivation Behind Her Articles on Gender Inequality and Sexism in Japan
• Together we coin a new Japanese word for "Empowerment"
• Favorite Japanese word without an exact English translation

Yuko Tamura: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuko-tamura-041b96ab/
Japonica: https://medium.com/japonica-publication

More Now and Zen Japan episodes: http://nowandzen.jp

Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

Now and Zen Japan is excited to welcome Mr. Ed Thompson, a Marketing Consultant and the founder of Concept Design. In this episode, we enjoy some beers while diving into Ed's over 20-year journey in Japan and his extensive career in marketing, branding, advertising, and academia. Ed has also been a lecturer at Temple University for more than 15 years. Known for his straightforward communication and strong opinions on marketing, Ed shares stories from his early days in Japan, including his experiences of being disciplined with bamboo sticks, working alongside bureaucrats, and starting his own business after just five years in the country. He offers a unique perspective on why Japanese brand logos often use words instead of pictograms and discusses how to find your Personal Branding "voice" by critiquing the competition. Ed also explores deeper philosophical themes, such as the concepts of Wabi-Sabi and Kintsugi, and how they relate to perseverance and the Japanese spirit. Additional topics we cover include:

• An interesting way to translate the word "marketing"
• Understanding self-worth and context when giving yourself an appropriate business title
• Why his list of clients in Japan are predominantly foreign affiliated
• How "creative" departments differ in Japan and the main role of ad agencies
• "Making order out of chaos" . . . the driver for Ed's passion for marketing
• Was Omotenashi developed as a social norm or a way to make customers more receptive to your brand?
• In Japan, "Being present is more important than being whole"
• Why email remains the most important CRM data

Concept Design: https://conceptdesign.io/
Ed Thompson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethompson/

More Now and Zen Japan episodes: http://nowandzen.jp

Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life