Now and Zen Japan

An amazing and iconic Tokyo veteran - Timothy Langley.  With over 40 years experience in Japan, Timothy is the founder of Japan's premier government & public consultancy Langley Esquire.  Most unique about Timothy, he was the first foreigner to work in the Japan National Diet working alongside many senior Japanese politicians.  In addition he has served as top Legal & Gov't Affairs Specialist for Apple Computer (Japan), General Counsel to General Motors (Japan) and director of numerous companies from start-up to fortune 100. Although on hiatus he is also Host & Executive Producer of Japan's only Public Affairs-related audio/video series, Tokyo on Fire! When you think: "Fascinating people in Japan", Timothy Langley is indeed  the poster child.  Other topics we cover:

• Great stories from serving as handler for Pres. George Bush during his Japan visit
• Related stories about "clash of cultures" with the Secret Service
• Why foreigners in Japan are often "Agents of Change"
• His own incredible "Agent of Change" stories
• How with all his accomplishments in Japan, his most important success story is still a work in progress
• Spices up politics and explains how and why the LDP stays in power
• Why Public Affairs is so import in Japan but yet an untapped market
• Motivation for starting one of the first Japan YouTube video series - Tokyo on Fire! 
• The "Free Unsolicited Business Idea" 
• What is "Onomatopoeia" and why there are so many in Japan

Langley Esquire: https://langleyesquire.com
Tokyo On Fire! Tokyo on Fire! YouTube
More on the George Bush visit: My Memory Of George H.W. Bush
Timothy Langley: LinkedIn Profile

Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

Award-winning broadcaster and radio host Guy Perryman.  Guy's soothing and melodic voice has been heard throughout Japan for the past 30 years starting with the launch of Virgin Megastores in 1990 and then Tokyo's InterFM since 1997.   In addition, he's a voice actor, event producer, and writer.  He has DJ'd for British Royalty and interviewed 100's of world famous artists and businessmen from Paul McCartney and Sting to Richard Branson and designer Paul Smith. We discuss some of these interactions and hear a couple celebrity stories as well as learning about being awarded the official title of MBE from the British Government. We wrap up this episode with special Christmas song from the Watanabes, co-produced with Guy Perryman called "Christmas Hummingbird".  This song can be heard at the 45min. mark of the podcast. Other topics we cover:

• How a planned 3-month stint at Virgin Megastores turned into over 30 years in Japan
• Being nervous before interviewing world famous artists and who surprised him most
• Why celebrities often let their guard down when visiting Japan
• The power of music and importance of mentors
• His frustrations with Japanese media and celebrity culture
• Why it's nearly impossible export Japanese radio shows outside Japan
• What he collects - its not autographs
• My unsolicited  business advise for Guy Perryman 
• His unsuccessful attempts to export J-Pop in the early days
• Why "Genki" is his favorite Japanese word

 Guy Perryman: http://www.http://guyperryman.com
The Guy Perryman Show InterFM: https://interfm.co.jp/gps/
The Watanabes: http://thewatanabes.com
Christmas Hummingbird: https:/.youtube.com/watch?v=X7FEas03Xjg

Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

Japan veteran and savvy businessman Seth Sulkin.  He is the founder of Pacifica Capital an international hotel developer and operator. He has also recently become a disruptor in the restaurant food delivery business with the launch of his new gourmet restaurant food delivery app Food-e. In this episode we learn all about this booming industry, why before Food-e high-end restaurants couldn't or wouldn't join delivery apps, and the innovations which convinced these reputable restaurants to sign on. As Seth states, "It's the quickest sell I've done in 35 years of doing business in Japan".  We also discuss developing hotels in Japan and the importance of overseeing all customer touch-points and the Instagram angle.  Other topics we cover:

• What led to the inception of Food-e
• The inside stories of food delivery apps and restaurant economics
• The problems with current food delivery apps and how Food-e solves them
• How Seth was able to convince high-end restaurants to join Food-e
• My crazy ideas on how to improve the Food-e experience
• Why Pacifica Capital only develops International Hotels
• The reason why "chairs" are so important 
• Unique ideas for instagram-able breakfasts
• Favorite Japanese word (Okamochi)

Seth Sulkin: Pacifica Capital
Food-e: https://www.food-e.co.jp
The Moxy Tokyo: Moxy Hotel Tokyo
Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

This episode we discuss fashion in Japan and premium dog food. Not two topics often mentioned in the same sentence, but very related to today's guest Mr. Loic Bizel. Loic started his own fashion consulting business in Tokyo nearly 30 years ago and runs two very successful fashion related websites (see links in the notes below). He was one of the co-founders of the fashion "flash sales" site Gladd.jp in 2009. He's referred to as a "Trendspotter" and "Cool Hunter" by the media and is considered one of the utmost foreign experts on Japanese fashion trends. In 2017 he started a new DTC business focused on premium dog food. Using his experience in eCommerce, spotting new "trends", and understanding the Japanese psyche, "Leo & Lea" specializes in a growing niche for organic pet food with a unique customer experience. This is another insightful and fun listening episode. Other topics we cover:

• Fashion in Japan is about being part of a community
• Why Japanese prefer to spend on fashion over home improvement
• How fashion trends start in Japan
• The role and importance of "Select Shops"
• How the Japanese fashion market has changed in the past 30 years
• The Moncler story of how puffer jackets went from niche to BOOM in Japan
• Defining Fashionable vs. Trendy
• Why Tokyo is the best fashion capital in the world
• Dogs in Japan are treated as family members
• Why Japanese are happy to pay a premium for organic dog food
• In Japan you are not a pet "owner" you are referred to as a pet "parent"
• Favorite Japanese word (Shoganai)

Loic Bizel: https://lebiz-consulting.com
Fashion In Japan: https://fashioninjapan.com
Leo & Lea Premium Dog Food: https://leoandlea.com
Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

This episode I speak with Cynthia Usui.  Author of Eight things Full-time Housewives Should do Before Entering the Workforce .  After 17 years as a stay-at-home mom, Cynthia successfully re-launched her career and quickly rose to the managerial ranks. She now coaches housewives who want to return to the workforce, how to follow in her footsteps. Cynthia shares many tips and much  wisdom from her amazing journey "from Mother to Management". Other highlights from our conversation:

• The work-life balance should be measured from a long-term perspective
• Why it was easier for her to re-invent her career with a non-Japanese hotel
• 3 metrics to evaluate housewives when re-entering the workforce
• On using a SWOT analysis for her students before job interviews
• The success of her government sponsored tourism coaching programs
• What she would do if she were in charge of the 30% "Women in Leadership" mandate
• Why Japanese hospitality needs more personalization 
• Career mapping for the 100-year-life and goal setting in 2021 and beyond
• How she quickly progressed from part-timer to management in 7 years
• Why can't the achievements and experiences of rasing a child be included on a resume?
• Favorite Japanese phrase (Read the Air)

Cynthia Usui: Cynthia Usui LinkedIn
Her book: 8 things Full-time Housewives Should do Before Entering the Workforce
Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

• Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

This episode I speak with Brendhan Kelly, the Hospitality Communication Manager for the Tysons Group of restaurants. Tysons is most well known for Ivy Place, Cicada, Smokehouse, and the iconic TY Harbor Brewery in Tennozu Isle. If you have dinned at any of these restaurants you were most likely impressed with the unique level of personalized hospitality. This is a direct result of Brendhan's input and influence. We discuss Tysons brand of "Global Hospitality" and how he trains and imparts this with staff and mentors and empowers them to become "experience creators".  You will also hear about how after years of consulting work, he suddenly switched careers in his mid-40's, walked into a Tysons restaurant and said "I want to work here". Other highlights from our conversation:

• The difference between "Service" and "Hospitality"
• A story about entertaining 350 South Africans during the rugby World Cup 
• How he empowers staff to give personalized service
• Pet peeve about restaurants in Japan
• The big break which catapulted him to his current position
• Mentoring techniques to teach better hospitality
• The best compliment he could ever receive
• The story behind the IPA name
• How his father's business and childhood influenced his interest in hospitality
• The one establishment which has better hospitality than his chain
• How hospitality affects the bottom line in the restaurant business

gugu Sleep Company https://gugu.jp
Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life
Brendhan Kelly: https://www.tysons.jp/en/recruit/interview-brendan
Tysons & Company: https://www.tysons.jp/en/about

This episode I welcome back Mike Howard.  It has been seven months since we first met on this podcast to promote his just published book "The Salaryman". Since then, there have been a lot of changes in Mike's life - many good, some negative, and one huge life altering decision. Mike discusses these developments as they relate to his book. This episode was spontaneous as we had originally planned to just meet for a "farewell" drink (spoiler alert) but we ended up recording and it became pretty self-reflective but also a lot of fun. Some other highlights from our conversation:

• A spin-off project from the "Salaryman" book
• Indie publishing do's and don'ts
• How the book caused him to lose a friendship
• Why he's moving back to the US
• The book became his self-therapy
• How much you can make with digital publishing
• Self promotion sales results
• His new Dream Job development
• A relationship with a Japanese stand up comedian
• The new Salaryman Manga series
• Mike's house got broken into
• A look back on 13 years in Japan

gugu Sleep Company https://gugu.jp
Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life
Also available Direct: http://www.thesalarymanbook.com
Contact Michael: [email protected]

This episode I sit down with Dominic Carter, an expert on Japan market entry, market research, and branding. Dominic shares great insight, knowledge, and current research results, for anyone working in Japan or looking to expand into Japan needs to hear.  Today you hear his 3 Golden Rules for Japan market entry success, the 4 Marco Trends shaping modern Japan, as well as numerous great quotes about how to succeed in the Japanese market. This is must listen to anyone doing business in Japan. Other topics we discuss: 

• How the future of Japan will be better with a smaller working population
• Doing sales in Japan is more of an art than a science and what is "aggressive positioning"
• Why Dominic is overly generous in his offering of free, but valuable market entry content on his blog and social media
• The best definition of "insight" you'll ever hear
• Learn the "Four Macro Trends" shaping modern Japan and how they will affect marketing and the future of doing business in Japan
• "Scarcity Value" and how this relates to the youth of Japan
• Has the COVID pandemic caused "Internationalization" to go backwards in Japan?
• Great marketing examples which exemplify the risk adverse nature of the Japan market
• The Three Golden Rules to successful Japan market entry 
• Keeping your "foreignness" vs. localization for international brands
• Many great quotes from Dominic, lead me to start a "Now & Zen" quotes page

The Carter Group: https://the-carter-group.com
Dominic Carter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-carter-404b62/
gugu Mattress Company: https://gugu.jp
Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

This episode I speak with Mary Reisel. Mary is an applied anthropologist, who has lived in Japan for nearly 20 years. Her main area of expertise is consumer psychology.  She is also a PhD. candidate from Meiji Gakuin University and her dissertation is on Japanese "Enjyo Kosai" also known as Compensated Dating and how it applies to consumption and E-Commerce. After ten years of researching this controversial subject, she explains how sexuality, intimacy, and desire are not only closely linked to consumerism but also hold the keys to everything in life. In this episode we get to hear the origins, the real motivation behind "Enjoy Kosai" and the current status of compensated dating in Japan. Other topics we discuss:

• Why intimacy in Japan is very different than in the West
• How "Enjyo Kosai" started out as a game among high-class women
• A question from a Japanese student regarding "love" which changed her views
• Marco Polo's role in her early interest in Asia and Japan
• The foreign press influence in the image of "Enjyo Kosai"
• "Enjyo Kosai" was never about sexual relations. . . 
• The history and role of Japanese "Snacks" and Hostess bars
• Is "Enjyo Kosai" female empowerment, therapy, or abuse?
• How she did her research and how many interviews she conducted
• How shopping and sex are related to the meaning of life
• The deep psychological answer to consumerism and "Enjyo Kosai" 

Mary Reisel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mreisel/
Nightwork: Sexuality, Pleasure, and Corporate Masculinity in a Tokyo Hostess Club: https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Anne-Allison/dp/0226014878
gugu Mattress Company: https://gugu.jp
Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.life

This episode I sit down with Katsura Sunshine, the only Western Rakugo Master Storyteller in the world and only the 2nd in the history of traditional Japanese Rakugo. He shares his fascinating journey from Canadian playwright and musical producer to Master Japanese Rakugo Storyteller.  We dive into the details of his three-year apprenticeship, the hardships and rewards. How he became an international Rakugo ambassador not only on Off-Broadway but around the world. Toward the end of the podcast we even get to hear a short traditional Rakugo story translated into English. Other topics we discuss: 

• The genius story behind why his Master made him bleach his hair blond
• Why he does not localize the traditional Rakugo stories when presenting in English
• How he got his first big break to internationalize Rakugo
• The differences between stand-up comedy and Rakugo
• Indentured servitude for three years and menial jobs is part of the apprenticeship
• The real meaning and purpose behind the apprenticeship
• How he convinced his Master to take him as an apprentice
• New Yorkers reaction when seeing him in kimono in public
• Rakugo stories are very family friendly, but there is an "adult" version as well

gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp
Katsura Shinshine's Website: https://www.rakugo.lol