Insights from Japan
Notes from the garage.
Tinkering, testing and building until it works. What we have learned building businesses in Japan — set-up, culture, partners, events and leadership.
Built the garage way
We started by building things. We still do.
Our story began in 1973 with an inventor and a small business in Kanagawa: media production and electronic equipment first, then oscilloscopes and radar. That habit of hands-on building has stayed with the company.
Today the workbench holds different projects: partner programs, localized products and messages, and the processes behind a working Japan business. We try things in the market, keep what works and refine the rest. These notes are what we have picked up along the way.
- TinkerTest an idea with real buyers and partners before committing to scale.
- BuildPut together the programs, processes and localized offers that hold up in Japan.
- RefineListen to what the market says, adjust, and build the next version.
CULTURE01The Problem with Problem: exploring “issues” in Japan business meetings
Why hunting for “problems” in a Japanese business meeting can backfire — and what to listen for instead.
EVENTS02Why your next conference should be in Japan
Hosting abroad? Why Japan is worth it, and how we make an event here run smoothly.
JAPAN BUSINESS03Opening a business bank account in Japan: overview
A crucial early step for any new venture here — and what the process involves.
CULTURE04Lost in Translation is twenty!
Two decades on from Sofia Coppola's Tokyo film — what it still says about working here.
LEADERSHIP05The Carolina Way: leadership lessons from Coach Dean Smith
The book behind our first team leadership development programs — and why its lessons still ring true.
SxS NEWS06Embracing change: why we rebranded to SxS Partners
Change is part of every journey. The thinking behind our new name.
SxS NEWS07A new chapter: 50 years of ECO-INTER K.K. and introducing SxS Partners
Half a century in Japan, and the next lap.
JAPAN BUSINESS08Getting to know the Godo Gaisha (GK) of Japan
Japan's limited liability company: what it is and when it fits.
JAPAN BUSINESS09Getting to know the Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) of Japan
The joint-stock company you'll meet everywhere in Japanese business.
JAPAN BUSINESS10What types of corporations exist in Japan — and which is right for you?
Understanding corporation types in Japan.
JAPAN BUSINESS11Top considerations for businesses starting up in Japan
Innovation meets tradition: what global businesses should weigh before they start here.
JAPAN BUSINESS12Godo Gaisha vs. Kabushiki Kaisha: which is the preferred employer?
GK or KK — how the two entities compare from an employment point of view.