Japan

As management consultants we are passionate about working with clients to improve efficiency and effectiveness whilst developing a respectful culture where all can thrive.

Therefore it was a great opportunity for two of our team to visit key places in Japan recently including Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Hakodate to experience some Japanese efficiency and culture. It was fascinating to experience the bullet train from Kobe to Kyoto - but surprisingly our train appeared to be a few minutes late!

Always keen to promote any British trade opportunities, Rachel Blackburn, pictured in Osaka, proudly wore her Export Champion badge and developed a few interesting contacts to be followed up.

Please get in touch to learn more about how we can support your plans to improve efficiency in your business and/or develop international trade plans by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Rachel and Kerwin Blackburn recently visited the Far East to conduct market research and gain insights into business and cultural customs in some of the world's rapidly emerging economies.

Staying for four days in Beijing before spending a day each in Nagasaki, Japan and Busan and Seoul, South Korea, they undertook various different local activities, ranging from a Chinese tea ceremony to visiting the Great Wall and other historical sites.

These experiences provided valuable insights into some of the unique customs, traditions and etiquette in these countries.

Learning about the contrasting political histories of these three countries also proved beneficial in helping to understand attitudes towards conducting business in the region.

The trip was a great success and hugely productive in enhancing the company's knowledge of a part of the world that could soon become much more significant in the UK following the nation's exit from the EU.

"Being an international management consultancy it was a great opportunity to learn more about a fascinating part of the world and be able to picture how US2U Consulting's services could fit into the visions of China, Japan and South Korea for the future" said Rachel.

Kerwin reflected, "It has been good to learn more about these territories as we currently work with a significant number of clients who provide goods and services for people from these parts of the world."

As an Export Champion, CEO of US2U Consulting Rachel Blackburn recently visited the British Embassy in Tokyo, Japan to meet with James Carter, Deputy Head of Trade. James is part of the UK Government's Department for Business and Trade.

In addition to discussing a specific requirement for one of our clients who is looking to do more business in the Japanese market, Rachel and James discussed general advice for businesses planning to sell products or services into Japan:

1. The Department for Business and Trade in Tokyo is structured around the UK industrial strategy and has sector specialists who can have informal discussions with UK business planning to export into the Japanese market.

2. The sector specialists offer a triage-type service which may include conducting desk research to understand the market and key players. In some cases they may be able to arrange meetings with potential customers to enable British businesses to understand if there is a good fit for their products and services.

3. The overall message is that doing business with Japan is achievable and it may be that more British businesses should consider this a priority for exporting.

4. As with most international business development, it will take time to build and nurture relationships prior to agree to do business. In Japan this may take a two year commitment before seeing a direct return on investment so British businesses may take a realistic and pragmatic approach, planning budgets and resource accordingly.

5. If new to the Japanese market, the focus should be to get the first Japanese client, build credibility and trust; this should then inspire other Japanese clients to trust you and your brand. As with any international business development it is helpful to research current cultural differences to be aware of.

6. The Japanese market is quite price-sensitive so businesses will need to present a competitive offering.

7. Japanese business people tend to be quite loyal once the trust has been built.

8. Once the contract has been agreed Japanese businesses usually pay in line with the terms and significant late payments are not usually an issue.

9. Key sectors with opportunities at the moment appear to be automotive and international education. Currently a growing opportunity is to provide Chinese students a British-style education in Japan.

10. In addition to the IS-8 sectors (financial services, professional services, life sciences, technology, creative, defence, clean energy and advanced manufacturing) there are opportunities in the market in areas such as international education, food & drink and commercial & retail products.

Please contact Rachel to discuss your international business development strategies in more detail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Other Department for Business and Trade resources to help you explore whether Japan could be right for your business include Expand in Japan and the International Markets Form | DBT's Export Support Service.