Jandals in Japan®

In today's milestone 40th episode, Jayne and Catherine have plenty to chat about thanks to ChatGPT which has provided the thought provoking questions for this episode. We'll be sharing some Kiwi and Nihongo phrases and traditions that have captured our attention. So grab your own favourite bevvy and join us as we explore language, culture, and quirky customs on Jandals in Japan!

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If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Jayne and Catherine’s go to beverage and snack choices for an “On Nomi” or ONline NOMIkai.
• A breakfast conundrum, which Kiwi or Japanese food would you choose?
• Some Japanese slang terms you can learn that all the cool kids are using - but you probably shouldn’t attempt yourself or use them in a business meeting!
• One beer in, things get wild: Tanuki or Kiwi, which would you prefer as a pet?

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan 

Tim Bunting, also known as the “Kiwi Yamabushi”, shares fascinating insights about his experiences as a Yamabushi practitioner and the philosophy behind their practices. Join us as we delve into Tim's love of an unfamous part of Japan which set him on the path to be invited to become a yamabushi. If you have ever wondered why? about many things that are done in Japan you might just find your answer in this episode!

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Tim first came to Japan and fell in love with the mountains of Yamagata
• Becoming a yamabushi and what they do in the mountains 
• The importance of the concept of 受けたもう “uketamou” and where we see it in daily life in Japan
• Uchi and Soto: why are we always taking off our shoes in Japan?

About Tim

Tim Bunting AKA Kiwi Yamabushi is a certified Yamabushi (mountain ascetic) from NZ. Tim helps run the Yamabushido program offering self-development and self-discovery experiences in the mountains of Japan. Tim writes the Daily Yamabushi, a daily blog on the yamabushi lifestyle, and an avid hiker, Tim is currently hiking the 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata and sharing the experience on his blog and YouTube channel.

Connect with Tim

https://www.yamabushido.jp 

https://www.timbunting.com 

https://www.youtube.com/@kiwiyamabushi 

https://www.instagram.com/kiwiyamabushi

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan 

Monique Holmes shares her insightful experiences during her time as a trainee at Nissui in Japan on the Global Fisheries Scholarship. Join us as we explore Monique's observations on the amazing hospitality she experienced in Japan, the importance of embracing new experiences, and the lessons she learned about the aquaculture industry. Let's dive in! 🐟

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Monique found out about and applied for the Global Fisheries Scholarship
• Monique's experience preparing for her trip to Japan and the time she spent in different areas of the business
• The intense omotenashi she received and how she learned to lean into it to experience as much as possible
• What the experience taught her about her own culture and what it is to represent New Zealand internationally

About Monique

Monique Holmes (Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Raukawa) was the recipient of the Global Fisheries Scholarship in 2023.

Monique has a background in marine biology which led her to working in Māori fisheries and aquaculture and to apply for and receive the Global Fisheries Scholarship in 2023. Through this opportunity, she undertook a trainee role at Nissui in Japan. Her main focus was on learning about aquaculture in Japan and how these learnings could be transferrable to a New Zealand context.

Links

Moana Scholarship information: ​​https://moana.co.nz/careers/ 

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan 

Annette Azuma, Director at Baker Tilly Staples Rodway, in the Auckland office, shares her experiences in facilitating business between New Zealand and Japan. Annette has a long dedicated relationship with Japan and has worked hard to help support the Japan and New Zealand business environment. We are thrilled to share her knowledge with you in this episode.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Annette came to be interested in learning Japanese which kicked off her connection with Japan
• The importance of local team members for effective business
• Annette gives us her own example of the Japanese saying “3 years on a rock”
• How New Zealand could help Japan and vice versa
• The benefits of being a member of the JNZBC and how you can join

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

About Annette

Annette specializes in international business and deals with a number of listed and unlisted corporates and high net worth individuals assisting with all aspects of taxation, compliance, M&A and immigration. Fluent in Japanese, she has particular expertise and experience assisting many Japanese clients doing business and investing in New Zealand as well as representing companies expanding their businesses to Japan. In addition, she serves as a Vice Chair of the Japan New Zealand Business Council, board member of Drive Electric Incorporated, member of Global Women and industry representative for the Auckland University of Technology International Languages Department.

Connect with Annette

Website: https://bakertillysr.nz/services/specialist/japan/

Links

JNZBC: https://www.jnzbc.com/ 

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan

Embark on a journey of diplomacy as we delve into the role of the New Zealand Embassy in Japan. We speak with Deputy Ambassador, Dom Walton-France and discover how the embassy strengthens the relationship between our two countries through government connections, trade promotion, tourism initiatives and more. Dom shares his wealth of experience from his early days working at petrol stations and being a rafting guide in rural Japan to now being Deputy Ambassador representing Aotearoa New Zealand in Japan. 

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Dom’s long connection with Japan and full circle moments before he transitions back to Wellington
• How Japan and NZ complement each other through opposite seasons and specialties
• The importance of long term people to people relationships for good ties between nations
• The roles and responsibilities of the embassy in promoting and strengthening the NZ-Japan relationship

About Dom

Dom Walton-France is currently the Deputy Ambassador at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo. 

He has a long association with Japan dating back to 1987 when he first visited on a 3 week sister city exchange. Dom lived and worked in Japan for close to 4 years in the 1990s in a variety of jobs including gas station attendant, part time rafting guide, ski-field worker and English teacher. 

Dom has been working in the New Zealand public service for nearly 25 years in internationally focused roles based in New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific. He served as New Zealand’s representative on the Board of the Asian Development Bank in Manila for three years from 2013-2015. He also spent three years as New Zealand’s Deputy High Commissioner to Tonga, and earlier in his career spent six years working in the International Team at the New Zealand Treasury. He is married to Hannah Walton-France and has 4 children who have all enjoyed spending time in Japan.

Links

NZ Embassy: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/asia/japan/new-zealand-embassy/

Safe Travel https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/ 

Summer Listening

Episode 5: Jason Allen, Representative Director, Cookie Time Japan https://www.jandalsinjapan.com/episode/five 

Episode 6: Makoto Kinjo, President, ANZCO Foods https://www.jandalsinjapan.com/episode/six 

Episode 10: Dave Mair, CEO, Skellerup, https://www.jandalsinjapan.com/episode/ten 

Episode 33: Rebecca Thorn, General Manager, Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya https://www.jandalsinjapan.com/episode/thirthy-three 

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan 

You might be wondering what NEC actually does these days. We certainly were! Mel Barber, NEC New Zealand Managing Director, shares the range of activities that they are involved in and how NEC is helping to make life better with self sovereign biometrics. You will be seeing more of these applications in your daily life very soon! NEC is striving to become a global company and Mel shares what it’s like to work at an overseas office of a Japanese company and how she manages the cultural differences between Japan and New Zealand.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Mel came to be Managing Director of NEC New Zealand
• Cool self sovereign biometric technology that is coming into use in both NZ and Japan
• NEC's shift towards becoming a more global company
• Mel’s strategies for asking for things and knowing when to give an out to the other party

About Mel

Mel Barber is the Managing Director for NEC New Zealand, being appointed to the position after 18 months there. In previous roles at NEC, Mel held the position of GM Field Delivery, ensuring successful relationships with a number of key customers. Mel joined NEC from Ventia where she was the Project Director for the UFB2+ project – a $120M project bringing fibre to New Zealand’s rural communities. This was a complex project from design through to commissioning with a number of key stakeholders including local Iwi and community groups. Her focus on ensuring the best outcome for communities was recognised by Ventia in 2018 with a Highly Commended award for Enterprise. This project honed her skills in leadership and ensured a solid grounding in commercial, financial and stakeholder management. Mel is a transformational leader who believes in empowering her team to achieve the key priorities of the business. She believes in bringing her authentic self to work, leading with empathy and realism.

Connect with Mel

Website: https://www.nec.co.nz/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nec-new-zealand-ltd/

Links

JNZBC: https://www.jnzbc.com/ 

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan 

On this episode of Jandals in Japan, join the hosts of the show, Jayne and Catherine as they dive into the various opportunities for intergenerational collaboration between New Zealand and Japan. After more than a year of hosting this show and learning all the dos and don’ts from their experienced guests, Jayne and Catherine surprise each other with questions and answers they didn’t even know were coming!  Don't miss out on what's to come and continue following their journey! (They also talk about the common phenomena of what makes the news about Japan in overseas media, that doesn’t register as news in Japan.)

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The opportunities for future growth and collaboration between New Zealand and Japan 
• What Jandals in Japan hopes to achieve going forward after over a year of collecting stories 
• Catherine’s idea for what she would do if she were to start over in Japan with all her knowledge intact
• Jayne’s idea for what she would do if she found herself back in New Zealand to give back to Japan after 20 years of “raising her as an adult”
• The 2023 Japan New Zealand Business Council (JNZBC) conference theme of Intergenerational Action to be held in New Zealand in November

Links

JNZBC: https://www.jnzbc.com/ 

Mike Harris Jandals episode: https://www.jandalsinjapan.com/episode/twenty-nine 

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan 

Rebecca Thorn, star General Manager for Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya, shares her experiences in the hotel industry in New Zealand and how she adjusted to the omotenashi of Japanese hospitality. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of immersing oneself in a new culture and how this is helping her as she opens the first Hotel Indigo brand property in Shibuya in August 2023! 

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Rebecca’s experience in all aspects of the hotel industry during her 25 year international career so far
• The key differences between the hospitality culture in Japan and New Zealand
• Is the language barrier really a problem?
• The importance of immersing yourself in Japanese culture
• How standing back and observing customers in the hotel lobby and restaurant are key cues to understanding customer-care
• The creativeness of the “Hotel Indigo” brand bringing the neighborhood into the hotel

About Rebecca

Rebecca Thorn is the General Manager of Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya, now scheduled to open in August 2023.

She has been in the hotel industry for 20 years and with IHG for 17 of those years.

She has experienced several hotels across Asia Pacific in the group in that time.

Rebecca moved to Japan in August of 2019 and absolutely loves working and living in Tokyo. 

Connect with Rebecca

Personal work instagram https://www.instagram.com/rebecca_thorn_/ 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-thorn-65b49940/ 

Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya website - https://www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/shibuyaku/hndsh/hoteldetail

Links:

The Culture Map: https://www.amazon.co.jp/Culture-Map-INTL-ED-Decoding/dp/1610392760 

Ryokan Koito: https://koito-inn.co.jp/ 

Bar Hotel: https://www.barhotel.com/ 

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan 

We are thrilled to bring you Miriana Stephens, a director for Wakatū Incorporation and General Manager of AuOra™. Wakatū recently signed several MOUs with Japanese organisations to further business ties in education and Food & Beverage. They are approaching the Japanese market in a way that is resonating with their Japanese counterparts, so we are excited to hear more about this and their latest products coming soon. *Manaakitanga: The process of showing respect, generosity and care for others. Thank you to NZ Story for introducing us to this FernMark Licensee member.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Miriana came to be a director for Wakatū after managing her own business
• Why Wakatū decided to choose Japan for their new business AuOra™
• How Wakatū has excelled despite the challenges of Covid-19 
• What’s next for Wakatū and when we can expect to see some new products launching

About Miriana

Miriana was born in Motueka and her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (NZ History) and a Law Degree. She currently resides in Motueka and has four children. She was awarded the 2016 Aotearoa NZ Māori Woman Business Leader award in recognition of outstanding success and excellence in business. 

Miriana is a director for Wakatū Incorporation (Wakatū), its subsidiaries and various committees and they are guided by their intergenerational 500 year vision, Te Pae Tawhiti. Wakatū convened the Te Tauihu Intergenerational Regional Strategy which is a business-led approach to regional development in Tasman, Nelson and Marlborough. This initiative is in partnership with all three councils, whānau, hapū and Iwi, the business community, NMIT and has been supported by investment from the Provincial Growth Fund.  Key priorities are the wellbeing of tangata (our people), te Taiao (our natural world) and pūtea (our economy). 

Miriana is also the General Manager for AuOra™ an associated business of Wakatū that invests in a portfolio of nutrition and ingredient applications which are sourced from the natural biomatter of Aotearoa. The focus is to provide health and wellness solutions that improve the quality of life in the areas of digestive, brain, inflammatory and metabolic health as well as the health of our natural world. 

Miriana has another role as a trustee on AGMARDT, Te Āwhina Marae in Motueka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua. She is a member of Nuku ki te Puku™ (a national Māori Food and Beverage cluster), the Food and Fibres Partnership Group for the Ministry of Primary Industries (Te Taiao Working Group), NZTE Steering Group Expo 2020 (NZTE) and is the Chair of Leaft Proteins SFFF Programme. 

Links:

http://www.wakatu.org 

http://www.kono.co.nz 

http://www.tetauihu.nz 

NZ Story: https://www.nzstory.govt.nz/ 

FernMark: https://www.fernmark.nzstory.govt.nz/ 

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan 

Ichiro Anzai shines a light on the potential for New Zealand fresh produce in Japan with his enthusiasm for our “tiny little fruits” that are achieving big things here. Zespri is a giant NZ company in Japan and what they are achieving may look unattainable to those just starting out, but Anzai san’s tips and information will be of value to anyone at any stage of growing their business in Japan because it’s all about getting the basics right. 

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Anzai san became interested in working with the “tiny little fruits” (kiwifruit!) after working in big name organisations
• The excitement in the challenge of marketing and distributing fresh produce in Japan
• How Zespri achieved nearly 100% distribution in Japan to supermarkets with a lean sales force of just five people
• Anzai sans’s tips for growing your business in Japan

About Ichiro Anzai

Anzai san joined Zespri Japan in 2014 as Country Manager after taking up various senior sales and marketing roles across top-level companies such as Bristol Myers Squib, Baush & Lomb, Unilever and McDonald’s Japan. In October 2019 he was appointed Executive Officer, expanding his responsibilities to the Asia Pacific region and reporting directly back to the CEO of Zespri in New Zealand. 

Ichiro holds an MBA from Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management in Arizona. 

Outside of work, he is a keen guitar player.

Links:

Website: https://www.zespri.com/ja-JP 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zespri_jp/ 

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan