How to fail in Japan?

Here are some of the mistakes foreign companies frequently make in Japan.

Treat Japan the same as any other country: We have been successful in 25, 50, 170,... countries, why should we treat Japan differently?

You'll find that many globally successful corporations failed in Japan and withdrew from Japan because they insisted to use the same management principles and the same product specifications in Japan as in other markets.

Being respected within our complex company is much more difficult than succeeding in Japan. We must send an experienced seasoned management team from within our company to Japan, no matter its their first time in Japan.

Sure. And make sure you exchange them every 1 to 2 years to expose fresh talent to the challenges of Japan. Anyway human resources at headquarters back home decide that.

Market research? Understanding what Japanese customers think about our products? We have already done our focus group work and segmented Japan's market. Our market research clearly shows that Japanese customers are the same as anywhere else in the world. They fit the same segmentation we have used in all other countries. We don't need help.

Authentic statement from top management of a global company - hugely successful in most markets except Japan - which has tried to enter Japan's market for nearly 1/4 of a century, and has failed to succeed in Japan for each of these many years.

Invest more in our business development in Japan? Impossible. We have our global standards, and anyway all our investment recently goes to China and India and Vietnam.

You'll find that most foreign companies succeeding in Japan have also made substantial investments in Japan. Although foreign direct investment in Japan overall is relatively low compared to other countries, there are many foreign companies which have made very substantial investments in Japan. Some foreign companies have invested US$ 1 to 30 billion in Japan. Also, you will find that the most successful foreign companies in Japan make huge investments in market research, strategy development, business planning. Success in Japan is almost never cheap, easy and quick.

Our resources -> Your solution

Our resources can help to reduce your risks, we can create your solutions for growth in Japan.
- our team of experienced experts
- our company's ten years experience working in Japan with some of the world's best and finest companies and with governments
- our CEO's 22 years experience working with Japan
- our wide professional network

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