I spent six months in Japan this year networking, doing business development, and having in-person meetings with clients as I work mainly virtually. And of course, visiting my old haunts and friends in Osaka and the rest of Kansai, as well as Nagoya, Yokohama, Tokyo, and Fukuoka.
Osaka has changed a lot since I lived there. With inbound tourism booming and the upcoming 2025 Expo Osaka-Kansai, it is buzzing with construction, new ventures, and a substantial focus on entrepreneurism and tech infrastructure development. It is wonderful to see and be part of!
Here are some highlights of my trip making connections, building relationships, and doing business development:
1.Working with my Silicon Valley Alliance colleagues to fulfill their client's global team transformation program's final week in-person in Tokyo the last week of February.
2. I am a non-resident of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan ( ACCJ) and was able to attend several in-person networking events in Kobe and Tokyo during my stay.
3. Having in-depth meetings and connections with the ACCJ Kansai leadership. Thanks to Steve Iwamura, Keizo Yamada, and Asako Inoue for their advice, support, and introductions, and the amazing 'ACCJ Spring Fling Networking Event'.
4. Visiting the 'Entrepreneurial Museum of Challenge and Innovation (EMCI)' in Sakaisuji Honmachi was a thrill! The exhibit on the founding fathers of Osaka business is wonderful. Osaka's innovative spirit is ingrained in its people (and me too having lived there). I learned how these entrepreneurs of long ago innovated, developed, and created some of the major corporations, methodologies, and infrastructure of Osaka, the Kansai region, and Japan. ** A warm appreciation to the director, Susumu Saito, for giving me a guided tour, his commitment to Osaka's continued entrepreneurial growth and spirit, and his wonderful introductions for me. If you are in Osaka, I urge you to visit EMCI!
5. Attending a networking event at a DIET facility in Tokyo and meeting politicians, community leaders, and business owners committed to enhancing children's education in Japan. Thanks to Yuko Hiroyama for the introduction to the Bizteria networking group, which led to this wonderful opportunity.
6. BNI networking affinity groups, Kyoto Global Power Team (Kyoto) and J-SEA (Fukuoka), are dedicated to promoting international business for smaller and midsized Japanese companies and creating opportunities for meetings and connections. Many thanks to the leadership teams of both groups who have been generous with their support and introductions as I continue to grow BCI.
7. Guest lecturing at Ritsumeikan University - Osaka Ibaraki Campus for the second year in a row. I appreciate Dr. Rolf Schlunze for having me deliver my interactive introductory
workshop "Leading From Any Chair" for his Intercultural Management Seminar Class.
8. Blog post on the potential of women in leadership in Japanese corporations. "The New Hammer: The Potential Power of Women in Japanese Corporate Culture."
9. Attending the monthly meeting of the Sakuyahime SDGs Study Group, a group of dynamic Japanese professional women, bringing awareness to the issues and challenges facing Japanese women in business and in society and seeking ways to transform those issues for the betterment of women, business, and all of society. Thanks to Yoko Fujie for her introduction and to Sakuyahime for their welcome.
10. (I think) I appeared on TV for a couple of seconds at the opening of my long-time friend Miho Irie's 4th restaurant, Absinthe Org(anic), in the new KITTE building in Osaka on July 31st. It was great to be there celebrating her continued success.
Thanks to my sister Susette Burton who lives in Sakai for letting me be her roommate.
Thanks to everyone I met, networked with, and all the Meishi kōkan. I appreciated even the briefest interactions learning about your businesses, and sharing about mine. We are all striving and succeeding in our Japan-U.S. (international) businesses and relationship building. I wish us all continued success!
Many thanks for all the wonderful shared meals, drinks, and conversations with friends, business associates, clients, and the newly acquainted. Everyone showed me the incredible kindness that Japan is known for and for which I am grateful.
Most importantly, thanks to my existing and new clients for allowing BCI to aid and support their efforts in building the communication and tech fluency skills to help them continue learning, growing, and thriving in global business.
Here are a few pics from the trip!
With great appreciation,
Yvonne Burton
Burton Consulting International, LLC
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