Executive Impact
Entrepreneur Mariko Nishimura bridges tech and culture
Mariko Nishimura wears many hats: programmer, marketer, media creator, businesswoman and entrepreneur. She makes them all look good, combining a high-energy, outgoing personality with a deep-seated curiosity about the world. After coming up through corporate giants like IBM and Adobe, Mariko Nishimura has been running a two-person creative consulting firm Heart… Read
Buying a home in Japan: What you should consider
With the dollar currently so strong against the yen, many people abroad are looking at the Japanese real estate market as an attractive investment. But understanding the basics of buying a home in Japan is important before making a decision. Prospective buyers living overseas need to be aware of real… Read
Melissa Uchiyama: Sparking creativity in young minds
American writer and Tokyo resident Melissa Uchiyama realized the importance of encouragement from an early age. As a child growing up in Arizona and Florida, Uchiyama loved music, lyrics, nature, dance and art. By fifth grade, however, she knew that she was a “word person” and decided that she would… Read
Gakken sets the pace in education, welfare for Japan’s future
When Hiroaki Miyahara was managing the Kobe branch of Gakken Classroom (a division of education and welfare services provider Gakken Holdings), in January 1995, he learned a valuable lesson that has remained with him ever since. The earthquake that devastated the city left the business in a precarious position. Yet… Read
PIE VAT: U.S.-originated startup carves out niche in tourism industry
When Pie Systems was launched in 2018, international tourist arrivals had grown by 5% to reach 1.4 billion and export earnings in the industry had reached $1.7 trillion. But by 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic raging and borders closing, that changed. For Pie Systems, a startup with a mobile app… Read
JOS: Japan’s one stop shop for international companies entering the market
Getting a foothold in the Japanese market can be a daunting challenge for a foreign company, big or small, and entrepreneurs. Knowing where to start can be a very difficult first step. This is where Japan Outsourcing Solutions (JOS) comes in. Its services are designed to make the process as… Read
Digital FX: COVID spurs digital transformation in travel, education and cross-border industries
Amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the way that we travel—and, in particular, use foreign currency—is set to undergo a massive transformation. That is according to Cameron Hume, the managing director at Travelex APAC, and Jun Otani, the representative director at Travelex Japan. Since the pandemic, financial institutions, FX service providers… Read
RE/MAX Amistad: A people-first approach to real estate
Buying, selling, and renting real estate in Japan while dealing with language and cultural barriers can pose a formidable challenge for anyone seeking to break into the market. Luckily, for those in the Tokyo area, RE/MAX Amistad can help its clients meet their real estate needs without the obstacles. The… Read
Make your real estate investment flourish with Axios
The assistance of a property management company that has clients’ best interests in mind and offers the highest standard of service is an invaluable asset when it comes to entering the real estate market in Japan. Particularly for overseas investors and international residents entering this market, you’ll definitely want to… Read
Japanese dream: Foreign entrepreneur hits the ground running in Tokyo’s tech market
When American Anatole Varin first came to Japan, he had no idea that, some 20 years later, he would lead one of the most successful tech companies by a foreign founder in the country. In a wide-ranging interview, Varin speaks about founding The Plant Co Ltd, an E-commerce, content management… Read
