The main purpose of this blog is to share insights I have gained through nearly 20 years of experience working at a global research firm. During that time, I have engaged in conversations, delivered presentations, and provided strategic advice to many leading companies across a wide range of industries in Japan, all with the goal of contributing to their business success.
One thing that has stood out to me through these experiences is that the fundamental challenges facing Japanese businesses have remained largely unchanged over the years. Conversely, this suggests that if these core issues were properly addressed and steadily improved, it could lead not only to significant business growth for individual companies, but also to a broader revitalization of the long-stagnant Japanese economy. This belief has been a driving force behind my continued focus on these issues.
So, what exactly are these fundamental challenges, and how can they be overcome?
While there are certainly many perspectives and opinions on this topic, based on my own experience, I believe they can be broadly categorized into the following three areas. This blog will primarily focus on exploring and unraveling these three “mysteries.”
Mystery #1: The Role of the Information Systems (IT) Department Within Companies
Examples: Why are new employees assigned to the IT department often shocked or disappointed? Why are there so few executives with a background in IT?
Mystery #2: The Value-Creation Process Essential for Corporate Growth
Examples: Even though a company’s products are competitive, why don’t they sell as expected—or why are sales declining? Why are digital transformation efforts not delivering the intended results?
Mystery #3: How Japanese Companies Engage with Global Business
Examples: Why is the global presence of Japanese companies relatively limited? Why do foreign companies often struggle when entering the Japanese market?
I plan to explore each of these themes in depth, organizing blog posts into corresponding categories. I warmly invite your thoughts, feedback, and opinions. Through these dialogues, I hope we can uncover constructive approaches to addressing these long-standing challenges.
Contact: kenkawabe@nazolab-japan.com