Japan - US Business News

Ampleen’s Sustainability Fashion Event - Fashion Evolution: Consumer Power

Ampleen’s upcoming Sustainability Fashion Event - Fashion Evolution: Consumer Power is this week. 

Date: Thursday, November 7th. 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Venue: Scandinavia House located at 58 Park Ave (38th Street), New York, NY 10016.

Click here for more information and to register. Hope to see you there.

For more information about our current Women in Japan-US Business profile, Shoko Sekiguchi and Ampleen,  please visit Ampleen.com.

 

“Women in Japan-US Business series” - Shoko Sekiguchi

After a long hiatus to handle the demands of client work (thankfully!), I am pleased to continue our Women in Japan-US Business profile series today with another story of a dynamic woman, Shoko Sekiguchi, who has thrived as a Japanese women working in the United States both in large corporations and in her own business.

 Shoko is the Founder/ CEO of Ampleen Inc, a social enterprise that educates and empowers nonprofits, corporate partners and green conscious individuals for more sustainable living in the urban environment.

Japan-US Business News: What was your educational experience? Was it helpful in getting you where you are now? What were your professional experiences?

Shoko: “I must admit that I love school and learning new things as I spent so many years in
schools. (laugh)  I have a Masters degree in Linguistics from Sophia University in Tokyo and International Affairs from GW in Washington D.C.

By learning two totally different principles, I believe that I gained the balanced view.  My fundamental understanding about economics and business definitely helps me to excel when I consult with companies.  From Liberal Arts, I learned to look at situations and relationships with deeper insight and find that it’s a great tool for dealing with diverse people and situations.”

Japan-US Business News:  How did you spot the opportunity to start your new business, Ampleen?

Shoko: “In last  several years, as my view on life has changed, I also saw the big shift in people’s consciousness towards their values, lifestyle and consumption patterns.  More people are seeing the long-term benefits in supporting socially responsible companies and I really believe in  the movement and wanted to be a part of it.  That is how I found my passion and niche in the sustainability business. I believe that when one becomes aware their true calling and surroundings, opportunities will emerge for them.”

Japan-US Business News:  What were/are the most demanding conflicts you face in this new business?

Shoko:  “Sustainability is such a complex subject since it is deeply related to people’s behavior and values. It takes time to make the shift happen.  I usually experience conflict when I try to bring sustainability to where cost effectiveness is the most crucial key metrics and when I try to convince
consumers that cheap cloth or fast food actually hurts us for a long term. 

I understand why some key stake holders in business –both Japanese and American, are hesitant to move forward with sustainability. It is usually easier to buy cheaper and more convenience goods—let’s face it,  that is a fact of life.  But in terms of sustainable goods, we have to take the long term view and hopefully forego some of the short-term conveniences in order to make better, healthier choices for ourselves, our families and the environment.”

Japan-US Business News:  What things do you find personally rewarding and satisfying as an entrepreneur? What have been the rewards and trade-offs?

Shoko: “It’s rewarding when I see that I deliver the value to clients and their business has
been improved with my service.  One of the trade-offs of being an entrepreneur is that you are thinking of your business all the time!”   

Japan-US Business News:  What do you want to see happen in Japanese business and in the global business arena? And specifically, what do you want to see happen for women in Japan and in business?

Shoko: “I would like to see more transparency in Japanese business and also in the government.  Recently, Japan's crippled nuclear plant confirmed that it delayed acknowledging that the plant was leaking contaminated water into the sea.  It concerns me greatly that these kinds of incidents keep occurring in Japan. There are deep seeded cultural reasons for it I know, but this has to change.  Japanese consumers need to be more empowered and educated about the power and influence that they have. They need to hold their businesses and the government more responsible and demand the kind of transparency that should be their right.

In terms of Japanese women, I would like to see more women in Japan become more vocal in expressing their opinions and business know how. I would like them to let go of the fear of ‘sticking out’ in society." 

 Japan-US Business News:  How do you think they should go about doing this?

Shoko: “If you really study consumerism in Japan, you will find that Japanese women hold
tremendous clout. I want them to realize this collectively, empower themselves and demand that their voices be heard and considered.”

Japan-US Business News:  If you could do one thing to bring about a change to Japan, what would it be?

Shoko:  "Japan is facing many issues caused by a long term avoidance of fundamental changes that needed to take place culturally and in society.  The world has and is changing rapidly. Flexibility is becoming the most important element for survival today and Japan needs to realize that.

 I would like to help bring awareness to the people in Japan to help them let go of old convictions and open up to new way of doing things. 

Especially, I would like to inspire the Japanese younger generation to be more curious about affairs outside of Japan and how it impacts their lives.The future of Japan is in their hands and I don’t know if they fully comprehend that.” 

 Japan-US Business News: Thank you very much for taking the time to visit with us Shoko. We at Japan-US Business News wish you great success.

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For more information about Shoko and Ampleen,  please visit Ampleen.com.

Ampleen’s upcoming Sustainability Fashion Event - Fashion Evolution: Consumer Power will be held on Thursday, November 7^th at the Scandinavia House in New York. Click here for more information. Hope to see you there. 

Japan Society in New York Event: The Tale of LIXIL Corporation

The Tale of LIXIL: One Corporation’s Transformation from a Japanese Company to a Global Enterprise.

Under Former GE Executive, LIXIL Becomes a Model of Expansion in Today's Economic Climate. 

Wednesday, October 2, 2013, 1:00 pm, at Japan Society New York, NY – Long the dominant building materials and housing equipment company in Japan, LIXIL sought to strengthen its Japanese base and extend into new global growth areas.

In 2011 Yoshiaki Fujimori, a 25-year veteran of GE, joined LIXIL as its CEO with the goal of transforming the traditional Japanese company into a truly global enterprise. Fujimori, a pupil of the legendary Jack Welch and GE’s first officer from Asia, had honed his management philosophy as CEO of GE’s various Asian and global businesses and applied it to LIXIL's operations.

Mr. Fujimori will  discuss how he is leading LIXIL in this unprecedented transformation while handling the challenges of creating a globally focused management team and a new “One LIXIL” culture.

Presided by Reuters anchor Fred Katayama.

Agenda: Noon, registration and reception; 12:30, luncheon; 1:00-2:00, lecture and Q&A.

Admission: $65 lunch and lecture/$15 lecture only. To register or for more information, please visit http://www.japansociety.org/corporate, or call 212-715-1208.

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Founded in 1907, Japan Society is a world-class, multidisciplinary hub for global leaders, artists, scholars, educators, and English and Japanese-speaking audiences. At the Society, more than 100 events each year feature sophisticated, topically relevant presentations of Japanese art and culture and open, critical dialogue on issues of vital importance to the U.S., Japan and East Asia. An American nonprofit, nonpolitical organization, the Society cultivates a constructive, resonant and dynamic
relationship between the people of the U.S. and Japan.

Japan Society is located at 333 East 47th Street between First and Second avenues.

The Interpreter's Corner: My Breaking Point

Amya Miller continues to chronicle the day to day struggles of the people and relief efforts in the earthquake and tsunami ravaged areas in Japan...

I have been in Ofunato and Rikuzentakata for a week now and have found myself numb driving past and walking through the immense devastation.  I have been told by the relief workers I am working with that shutting down my emotions is a necessary part of doing my job and while I have struggled with the idea of having to go “robotic” in order to function, I’ve done just that. Until yesterday. 

This, I believe, was the first time in my over twenty years of interpreting that I broke down and cried in front of those for whom I was interpreting.  The combination of humiliation, pain, anger and frustration is a pretty nasty soup of emotions. 

Evidently I'm human.  Evidently I can't go a whole week shutting out my emotions and being strictly professional.  Evidently, all this comes at a price.

The Interpreter's Corner: A Whole New Kind of Interpreting

I arrived in Tokyo last night.  It’s changed.  The streets are darker, lights are out all over the place (rolling blackouts).  Food is available but on my morning walk to the local Lawson to pick up water and milk tea, I noticed maybe a third of the shelves were still empty.

There are also significantly fewer gaijins.  More on that some other day.

I’m finding myself facing a whole new kind of interpreting experience.  I’m heading up north to Ohfunato today for two months.  What am I doing?  I can’t honestly say.  I have been told relief/disaster work is very fluid and organic and things “just sort of evolve” and when I say I don’t understand what that means, I’m met with “you’ll understand once you’re there.”

I’m working with a US-based relief organization that has done this kind of work all over the world.  I tried explaining Japan is anything but fluid and organic but they say they know what they’re doing and are prepared to use the “gaijin card” to get things done if necessary.  I’m prepared to insert myself into this, whatever that means and whatever form it ends up taking, but….

The Interpreter's Corner: Emotions and Control for Japan

I have sat  by the phone for boyfriends to call.  I have sat by the phone waiting to hear about my nieces' births.  I have sat and waited for many reasons.  You would think by now I would be used to it.  I'm not.  I hate it.
 
This past week has been a waiting game.  A call comes in and says "we'll know more tomorrow."  Tomorrow arrives and no one calls.  I feel like I'm seventeen again.  The boy I like didn't call me.  I mope.  I pout. I get angry at the people I love.  When the phone finally does ring it's only to tell me to wait some more.  The latest call at 3pm today was to tell me I should know in 24 hours if I'm leaving for Japan to help with relief work.  I will leave either on Sunday or next Saturday.  I get to wait again.
 
I have been warned to expect the worse when I arrive in Iwate.  I have been told it's worse than we think.  That I don't see how that is possible is a testament to my lack of imagination.  Or, so I'm told.  I have been asked how I deal with grief.  (How's that for a job interview question?)  I have been told to prepare to have to control my emotions.  I said I would try.
 
Which is total crap, of course.  I cry at commercials.  I cry when I watch movies where anyone dies.  (Even the bad guys.)  I cry when others cry.  I am not very good at holding back my tears.  This is even more true when there's a real reason for them.  Watching the main character in a movie die is one thing.  Hearing the grief people in Japan are suffering is as real as it gets.  Through all this, I'm supposed to be calm, professional, objective, patient and hold back my tears.  I don't know how to control the last part.  I will no doubt figure it out.  It's amazing to me how to body shuts down, goes into overdrive, runs on adrenaline and in general knows what to do and not to do when serious resolve is needed.  There's something in me that says I will find a way to remain professional and non-emotional.  Most of the time I believe this.
 
I've done it before.  I tell myself this over and over.  Interpreting for a family whose daughter was murdered, I was the picture of control.  I wasn't sure before the assignment how I was going to get through the sentencing of the murderer without being affected by their pain and grief and tears.  I did.  I will figure out what part of me shut down that day and muster up that energy again.
 
Perhaps at the end of the day I will have to keep telling myself I need to ration my Kleenex and toilet paper.  I'm afraid if I use it on my tears I won't have any leftover.  This should keep my tear ducts dry.  Right?

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Amya Miller lives near Boston, Massachusetts and is the President and CEO of Lupine and Co., which offers Japanese interpretation, liaison services, business etiquette training, consultation on successful negotiation techniques and problem solving. 

Amya also founded the Gaijin Group; a group for gaijins all over the world.  She was born and raised in Japan and spent time in Tokyo and Hokkaido.  She has worked as an Interpreter and behind-the-scenes liaison in Japan-US business for 20 years.  You can reach Amya at [email protected] and find out more about at http://www.lupineandco.com/ and http://www.gaijingroup.com/.

 

 

 

The Interpreter's Corner: Scared

The earthquake in Japan, the subsequent tsunamis and aftershocks that never seem to cease has me reeling.  I go back and forth between being glued to the television and walking away, emotionally drained.  Then I made a decision.  I’m an interpreter.  I can be of use the most in Japan.  I’m going.

Fast-forward, I am on standby with multiple organizations, federal, private and non-profit.  I have told all of them I am prepared to leave as early as March 22nd.  I went to my doctor and stocked up on medication so I can stay long term.  I’m mentally packing, trying to decide what to take.  And then it happens.  Fear hits like it never has before.  It takes over.

I’m scared.  I mean I’m really scared.  I’ve been through earthquakes before.  Big ones, too.  Tsunamis terrify me.  Not to state the obvious but I can’t possibly outrun them.  There’s nothing about Mother Nature that can be controlled.  Japan is a volatile country right now.

Then there’s the nuclear situation which can only be described as amazingly terrifying.  Between the evacuation notices and strongly worded statements by the Japanese and US Governments, I’m scared all over again. 

I spoke tonight with a US-based relief organization that’s in Tokyo now, trying to get up to Iwate to assist with search and rescue and recovery efforts.  They want me there in a week, assuming they stay.  I said I would go.  I meant it.  I mean it.  I will go.  And then there’s the fear all over again.

I’m in no position to say those of you/us who speak both Japanese and English should put down all we’re doing and hop on the next plane to Japan.  I’m going because I can be of more use there than here.  But, there is something I would like to ask.  It’s a favor.

Whatever religion you may ascribe to, may I ask for your prayers, please.  If you aren’t religious, may I ask that you light a candle, sing a song, dance naked under the moonlight, be nice to your neighbor or hug your kids/spouse/partner/parent/pet.  It would be nice if you could think of those in Japan when you do so, and possibly include me among those you think of. 

One of my favorite quotes is from Madonna.  Evidently, she said somewhere to someone, “I'm tough, I'm ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.”  I can relate to that.  I’m tough, too.  I’m a strong woman.  I know I want to go to Japan and be of use.  I don’t think any of this makes me a bitch, but if it does, so be it.

Yes, I am strong.  I am tough.  Rather, I should say I’m usually strong and tough.  Right now, I’m simply scared.  Big time.  (Feel free to insert some colorful language here.  I know I am.)

Bring it on.  I think.

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Amya Miller lives near Boston, Massachusetts and is the President and CEO of Lupine and Co., which offers Japanese interpretation, liaison services, business etiquette training, consultation on successful negotiation techniques and problem solving. 

Amya also founded the Gaijin Group; a group for gaijins all over the world.  She was born and raised in Japan and spent time in Tokyo and Hokkaido.  She has worked as an Interpreter and behind-the-scenes liaison in Japan-US business for 20 years.  You can reach Amya at [email protected] and find out more about at http://www.lupineandco.com/ and http://www.gaijingroup.com/.

 

 

"Women in Japan-US Business" profile series re-launch onTuesday, Dec. 14th

Japan-US Business News blog is doing a yearlong “Women in Japan-US Business” interview series.  In the past and still to too large a degree today, Japanese women are not utilized anywhere near their full potential in a Japanese company.

This is of course changing and although slowly, there are successful Japanese women out there in high level positions who deserve to be spotlighted and recognized as trailblazers in business in a society that doesn't traditionally support or encourage working women to reach their full business potential.

Over the course of the coming year, Japan-US Business News blog will be telling the stories of some of these remarkable women, both Japanese and American, who are successful in the Japan-US business arena in spite of the odds against them.

The series began officially on July 6th with a 2 part profile of Yuko Shibata, Executive Director, ALC Education Inc. in Japan. Ms. Shibata trail-blazed a new path in Global Management training through hard work,  determination and the willingness to try “something new” and achieved great success.
After a hiatus, the series begins again with a new profile this month and will run each month throughout 2011.

For years, a great number of  Japanese women who have wanted to expand their horizons beyond the limits that their culture inherently imposes have left Japan’s shores to seek out freedom in other countries, namely the U.S or have gone to work for foreign companies in Tokyo where they stood a better chance at gaining meaningful opportunities.

The ones who have stayed in Japan knew that the road would be filled with obstacles and battles that would be fought constantly if they wanted to rise above their traditionally regulated roles of house wife and office lady. Yet they were willing to fight the obstacles.

They knew the tradeoffs would be hard, that the sacrifices would be great and that the term “Christmas Cake” that takes the place of the western biological clock would wind down on them rapidly.  But no matter, these sharp career oriented women never wanted to be cake.

Japan has a large pool of talented women waiting for a chance “to show their power” as Yuko Shibata stated in her interview with us in July, from which to pick and develop to help address the country’s increasing labor shortages among other things.  Time to get started.

As I stated in July and will re-state again, my goal for the series is to:

1.) Spotlight talented women in Japan – US business and give them the recognition they deserve

 2.) Show that the path to success is varied but achievable

3.) Let the determination and success of these women inspire and encourage other women, and Japanese women in particular, to keep striving for the corporate success or any form of success that they seek in any field.

Let me know what you think of the series at [email protected].

 

The New Hammer in Japan

Japan is facing the serious problems of declining birthrates, an aging population, shortage of working people, and  a largely apathetic younger generation to name a few.

These factors are converging like a perfect storm of economic woe that will be catastrophic for Japan if not seriously addressed and solutions put into place starting now.

What are possible solutions? Incentives to have more children? Tricky. Inspire young people so that they feel they have at least the hope of promising future? It won’t be easy.

But one way to address the labor shortage: Women! It's time to start utilizing fully a pool of talent that is already abundantly available in country. They are already citizens, speak the language, trainable and many are willing to work hard and have been waiting forever for the opportunity.

I think of the Second World War and how the U.S. was forced to call on women to join the workforce and take on the traditionally “male” jobs while men were overseas fighting. Although not war time, the Japanese will face similar male labor shortages and one of the potential ways to deal with this shortage is to utilize the other half of the population more in “un-traditional” ways.

I am sure that the government has been putting into place plans to deal with these problems and although I do not know what those solutions are, I want to throw my support behind the idea of opening up the Japanese mindset and giving qualified Japanese women more positions of substance in corporate Japan.

The harsh glare of light on these tough issues makes it impossible to hide any longer or to claim the “we the Japanese” card of difference. Japan is not so much different anymore as in danger.

The educational system that supports rote learning and graduates “conformists” mindsets from even prestigious universities has run its course. Its time has come and gone. It is time for evolution and innovation. New solutions to address the new conditions.

The New Hammer
The phrase that described how Japan handled differences and individuality in the past, “the nail that sticks out must be hammered in,” is outdated to say the least and seriously unwise.

For Japan going forward, the nail that sticks out MUST become the new hammer.

A blunt tool to stamp out conformity, unwise consensus building, promotion based on age instead of merit, generally under-utilizing the intelligence and power of women on a nationwide scale by placing them in lesser roles than which they qualify, an apathetic younger generation, lack of support for small businesses on an appropriate national scale, the list goes on.

The New Hammer is small companies that are innovators in need of government support in terms of funds, advice and promotion.

The New Hammer is the individual with the new software idea that needs help to incubate their product.

The New Hammer is the housewife who has run a household for years who has an idea to create a niche health care business to do her part in assisting the aging population.

The New Hammer is the young woman who went overseas on her own to gain international experience and foreign language fluency who wants a position in a Japanese company that will fulfill her and challenge her to keep learning and growing.

The New Hammer is the teacher who wants to employ a new method of teaching based on action learning to stimulate independent thinking and creativity.

The New Hammer is the 1 person company with a website selling globally.

The New Hammer is the young salary-man who actually speaks his mind in a company meeting.

The New Hammer is using technology to build a new efficient business model.

The New Hammer is a major corporation thinking like a hungry start-up.

The New Hammer is the Japanese company that institutes English as the language of their international business.

The New Hammer is embracing change.

The New Hammer is all around the country. It is the government’s job to start programs to help them, guide them, support them and help them grow. They are the future of Japan.

To support these types of companies and individuals, Japan-US business News will start a new feature in January, 2011 called “The New Hammer”. In it, we will spotlight the new thinkers, the innovators, and the doers that we find in Japan-US Business each month—Japanese or foreign. We will promote them. We will give them a forum to talk about their businesses so they can "Hammer On".

Send along your recommendations of a company of any size or an individual and we will put the spotlight on them. I already have a few in mind.

Keizai Society summer event on August 28th in Sunnyvale, CA ...Register early for all the fun.

Keizai Society presents summer networking event on 8/28/2010 (Sat) in Serra Park, Sunnyvale!

Well-known for its openness, greenery, and beautiful landscape with a man-made water stream and water fountain, the setting is perfect for relaxing and meeting people while enjoying the delicious food.

This event is ideal for both networking and catching up with old acquaintances or making new ones! Moreover, the park's green open field also offers your family members, significant other and friends a place to enjoy outdoor activities, such as playing Frisbee, football, baseball, tennis, etc. 
 
Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Serra Park in Sunnyvale, CA.

Address: 730 The Dalles, Sunnyvale, CA.

Register early at Keizai Society and reserve your spot at this fun networking event.

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Keizai Society is a Silicon Valley based business and professional networking organization. Their primary purpose is to provide a venue of programs that showcase specialists with expertise on issues critical to the success of entrepreneurs and companies doing business with Japan and the U.S.