The FocusCore Podcast

Simon Jelfs, Managing Director at FocusCore Japan is back on the podcast sharing the latest trends, hot topics, and challenges that the recruitment industry and companies hiring in Japan are seeing in 2023.

And Simon and David discuss everyone's favourite AI - Chat GPT and whether it's going to be the saviour or the killer of the recruitment sector.

In this episode, you will hear:

• The challenges the tech industry has been experiencing in Japan
• Why the decreasing value of the Yen is great for the local manufacturing sector
• The struggle to attract quality candidates in Japan
• Does Chat GPT mean recruiters' jobs are at risk?
• What are the new roles likely to come up thanks to AI?

Simon Jelfs Bio:

Simon is from the UK and has 20 years of accounting and finance recruitment as a specialised recruitment leader in Japan since he started in 2000. As Managing Director at FocusCore Japan, he provides bilingual accounting and finance professionals to client companies in Japan and oversees daily operations.

In his spare time, he’s a coach for junior rugby teams and can be found documenting his love of rugby on his YouTube channel Just a Rugby Dad in Japan.

Connect with Simon Jelfs:

LinkedIn

Twitter

YouTube: Just a Ruby Dad in Japan

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Episode 21 - Will the Great Resignation hit Japan? A conversation with Simon Jelfs

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Website

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY​/​50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide

Are you doing business in Japan, or would like to, and feel like you could use some guidance on how to maximize your time and effort? 

If you are an APAC or global business leader, and looking to navigate the business landscape in Japan and build successful, long-term partnerships with Japanese companies, it's essential to approach business in Japan with a mindset of respect, cultural sensitivity, and a willingness to adapt to local customs and practices. In this episode I discuss ten factors that I’ve found incredibly important to keep in mind for APAC and global business leaders looking to do business in Japan.

In this episode you will hear:

• About Japan’s unique culture and business practices
• How important long-term business relationships are in Japan
• The expectations placed on business leaders in Japan including strong work ethic, respect for hierarchy and seniority
• About the importance Japanese companies place on consensus decision-making

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp 

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

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

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/ 

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’. 

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne. 

Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY​/​50. https://music.cdavisshannon.com/album/fifty-50-2 Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide

Eelco Modderman, a Dutchman, has spent the last 15 years living in Asia and considers himself a bridge between East and West. It's no surprise that he is now as the Managing Partner, Asia Pacific for The Gap Partnership, a company specialising in negotiation training. He started his journey with The Gap Partnership in 2017 in Hong Kong before relocating with his family to Tokyo last year to expand the reach The Gap Partnership’s reach.

The Gap Partnership works with clients to become better, more confident, and more successful negotiators, with customisable training programs and consultancy services. Clients included front-line workers to top-level executives.

In this episode you will hear:

• What is negotiation and how can you apply the negotiation framework
• The importance of negotiating successfully
• How do you build up a relationship before you start a transaction?
• How does Japan’s decision-making process influence the way you negotiate

Eelco Modderman Bio:

Eelco joined The Gap Partnership in 2017. Initially based in Hong Kong, he now heads up the Asia Pacific region from our office in Tokyo. As a Dutchman living in Asia for over fifteen years, Eelco brings together the best of East and West. With a background in big data analytics, he is passionate about sustainability, delivering impact for clients, and the personal growth of his team.

Outside of work, Eelco is an avid swimmer and in many other activities on and below the water. He lives with his wife and two children, who share his love for adventure, exploring new places and cultures.

Connect with Eelco:

Website: https://www.thegappartnership.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eelcomodderman/?originalSubdomain=hk

Email: [email protected]

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

The Negotiation Book: Your definitive guide to successful negotiating by Steve Gates

The Culture Map by Erin Myer

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

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

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

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

"Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown" used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY​/​50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide

Finding his perfect career was no easy feat for this podcast guest. He is an inspiration and a great example of how pivoting can lead you to where you are meant to be. Hiroki Kosugi shares how he grew up in Sapporo, was recruited to a Shizuoka soccer club, became a salaryman and burned out, backpacked around the world and learned English in New Zealand, studied a Sports Business Management degree and an MBA in the USA, and found himself back in Japan wondering where to next?

Hiroki joined TransPerfect, a global language service and technology solutions provider in 2010 and has built a successful career in this international company. He is currently Japan’s Director of Business Development.

In this episode you will hear:

• Hiroki’s advice on building a career you love and taking chances
• What it was like to be the only male in a female-only office in Japan when he first joined
• The challenge of finding good salespeople
• Localising products and services to the Japanese market
• The importance of networking in Japan

Connect with Hiroki Kosugi:

Website: https://www.transperfect.com/ja/home

LinkedIn TransPerfect: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transperfect-japan

LinkedIn Hiroki Kosugi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiroki-kosugi-61b91091/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Website

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY​/​50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide

Pascal Gerbert-Gaillard is the APAC Manager for SES-imagotag, the world leader in smart digital labels and retail IoT solutions for physical retail. He’s had a long love affair with Japan, first visiting in 2002 when he learned Japanese.! He also loves martial arts and has trained in Kendo, the Japanese art of cutting.

Pascal shares his insights on the digital technology space and how retail is changing in Japan, drawing from his extensive experience working in the country as well as his international experience working across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

In this episode you will hear:

• What the retail landscape looks like globally and how is technology changing the retail shopping experience in Japan
• Why Japan is lagging in retail technology compared to Europe and the role Covid has played
• Why the fax machine is still being used in Japan and will it ever be retired?
• How Japanese customers are driving change in the retail environment
• The challenges of bridging the cultural gap in Japan when working for a foreign company and building a strong team

About Pascal Gerbert-Gaillard:

Pascal is the Manager of APAC AT SES-imagotag, the world leader in smart digital labels and Retail IoT solutions for physical retail.

He consults also for the retail Industry and is currently advisor for bakery group Gontran Cherrier.

Prior to joining SES-imagotag, Pascal was Asia Director for Bio c’ Bon, one of the largest European organic retail chains. Based in Japan, he was in charge of the development of the local operation in partnership with Japan's largest retailer, AEON group, opening 27 stores within four years in Japan and becoming the leading player on the market.

Before Bio c’ Bon, Pascal was based in Shanghai where he co-founded and developed UPYA, a boutique commodity trading group dealing and investing in hard and soft commodities between Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Previously he was in Japan where he launched and managed the Asian entity of DIAM International, the worldwide leader of POP displays for the luxury industry.

He started his career in the industrial sector, holding several positions within AREVA and Arjowiggins group, with a focus on M&A and strategic development in Asia.

Pascal holds three master degrees from Ecole polytechnique, Ecole des Mines de Paris and Sciences Po in France. He is fluent in Japanese, Chinese, English, and French.

He is President of Ecole polytechnique Alumni Asia chapter, Trade Advisor for the French Government, and a Director of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan.

Connect with Pascal Gerbert-Gaillard:

Website: https://www.ses-imagotag.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascalgerbertgaillard/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Website

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

"Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY​/​50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide

Love or hate them, great Human Resources professionals are worth their weight in gold to organisations when you have the right person. Without them, businesses struggle to retain and attract top talent, navigate compliance and legal labour laws, and create an inclusive company culture. In Japan, hiring the right HR director is absolutely critical for successful businesses, not least because they need to understand the local landscape due to a unique market with its own cultural norms, its own values, and its own unique labour laws.

But what else do you need to consider when hiring HR leaders in Japan? David Sweet shares his top must-haves and why - when hiring an HR director in Japan.

David covers:

• Knowledge and deep understanding of Japanese Labour laws
• Ability to foster positive stakeholder relations
• Experience in recruitment and retaining talent
• Established networks

If you need help with your recruitment needs in Japan, please get in touch with FocusCore Japan and we’ll be happy to assist. We specialize strongly in HR directors and other C- Suite recruitments, specifically around country managers, CFOs, supply chain directors, and marketing directors.

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Website

David Sweet Bio:

​David Sweet is the Founder and CEO of FocusCore Japan, based in Tokyo. FocusCore provides a broad range of services from executive to talent management and leadership consulting. His particular focus is in Human Resources.

Prior to establishing FocusCore Group, David was a Director with the Tokyo consultancy Wall Street Associates, leading operations, training, and recruitment in multiple sectors. He also worked for 10 years in the U.S. Treasury Department in labor relations and organizational development.

He is the author of six books, including "Sweet Sales", "Sweet Success", and "Recruit!". He is also a Certified Executive Coach. David earned a MA in Communications from Regis University and a PhD in Leadership Development.

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY​/​50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide

Simon Jelfs, Managing Director at FocusCore Japan, makes his debut on the podcast. Simon has trodden the path many who come to live in Japan have walked - as a JET teacher. Those early years as an English teacher set him up for a lifelong career as a teacher, coach, and recruitment consultant. He’s a keen runner, a former Morris Dancer, a rugby fan, and a YouTuber at Just a Rugby Dad in Japan.

In this episode David and Simon cover:

• Important career lessons learned from 20 years of working in Japan
• The Great Resignation - will it hit Japan?
• How Covid-19 and working from home have changed the recruitment experience
• Combining career and parenthood and the changing dynamics of Japanese workplaces
• A shift in management style in Japan - is it here to stay?

And it would not be a FocusCore podcast if there wasn’t some chat about sport!

Simon Jelfs Bio:

Simon is from the UK and has 20 years of accounting and finance recruitment as a specialized recruitment leader in Japan. As Managing Director, he provides bilingual accounting and finance professionals to client companies in Japan.

Connect with Simon Jelfs:

LinkedIn

Twitter

YouTube: Just a Ruby Dad in Japan

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Podcast Recommendations

High Performance Podcast

The Rest is History

Hidden Brain

FocusCore Podcast episode 2 with Corey McGowan

‘The Great Resignation’ - The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan Journal

Morris Dancing

Institute of Management Accountants

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Website

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY​/​50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide

Recruitment expert, Hisato Wakaizumi returns to the podcast in 2023 to chat with host David Sweet on:

• Difference between Japanese and Western companies and how to make it work for you
• Internal career development versus external career development and what you should consider before you look for a new role
• The secret to delivering a successful webinar
• How to beat the competition in a competitive job market
• Important career lessons Hisato has learned in his recruitment career journey

Hisato Wakaizumi Bio:

Hisato is a new dad and was an executive search consultant at FocusCore Japan. With experience working in the United States and Japan, he is a trusted advisor to clients for his persistent tenacity and creative solutions to challenging hires in Japan. He is also an avid tennis player and has recently moved to do in-house recruitment at Mazars

Where to find Hisato Wakaizumi:

Website:

LinkedIn:

Email: [email protected]

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

FocusCore Japan past webinars

Episode 14 with Hisato Wakaizumi

Where to find David Sweet:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Website

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY​/​50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide

David Sweet, CEO of FocusCore Japan talks about the three sins of hiring executives in Japan and the common mistakes he has seen over the last 25 years in Japan when hiring. And not one to just point out the problems, he’s also sharing how hiring managers can avoid them. This episode is a short and jam-packed listen with insights for anyone who is looking to hire in Japan or for APAC professionals working in Japan.

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Website

David Sweet Bio

​David Sweet is the Founder and CEO of FocusCore Japan, based in Tokyo. FocusCore provides a broad range of services from executive to talent management and leadership consulting. His particular focus is in Human Resources.

Prior to establishing FocusCore Group, David was a Director with the Tokyo consultancy Wall Street Associates, leading operations, training, and recruitment in multiple sectors. He also worked for 10 years in the U.S. Treasury Department in labor relations and organizational development.

He is the author of six books, including "Sweet Sales", "Sweet Success", and "Recruit!". He is also a Certified Executive Coach. David earned a MA in Communications from Regis University and a PhD in Leadership Development.

Are you enjoying the FocusCore Podcast? Please take a few minutes and leave a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Scroll down the show page, select leave a rating, and tap ‘Write a review’.

The FocusCore Podcast is hosted by David Sweet and produced by Podlaunch with Jayne.

Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY​/​50. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide

Rob Williams is a British financial planner based in Tokyo, and started AP Advisors Limited in 2004 to provide financial advice to expatriates. He Co-founded Knights in White Lycra with a few fellow British friends out of a desire to get fit and give back to the communities impacted by the March 2011 disaster. They began a fundraising bike ride in 2013 and have not looked back since.

Since then, Knights in White Lycra have expanded their fundraising efforts to support children in need in Japan and have raised over ¥114 million through various sporting activities including bike rides, walks around the Imperial Palace, golf days, Go-Go run challenge, and pub quiz nights.

In this episode you will hear:

• How Knights in White Lycra was born in Tokyo in 2012 in a karaoke bar
• Why they expanded from fundraising for 3/11 survivors to supporting children in care homes in Japan
• How getting fit and giving back has inspired Rob’s philanthropic purpose
• How Knights in White Lycra have pivoted during the Covid pandemic to continue fundraising for their causes when they couldn’t meet in person
• The cultural differences in fundraising in Japan and Western countries

Rob Williams Bio:

Originally from the UK, Rob came to Japan in 1999 to continue his career in financial planning. In 2004 he set up an independent financial planning practice in Tokyo with two partners which continues to this day. AP Advisers Ltd provides bespoke financial planning services to the expatriate community in Japan. www.ap-advisers.com

Rob is married with two sons, 15 and 11. He enjoys playing golf and watching soccer, but his main passion is cycling which was the spur to create the Knights in White Lycra charity (KIWL) cycling group in 2012, shortly after the 3.11 tragedy. www.kiwl.net

Initially set up to raise funds for survivors, KIWL has morphed into a fundraising group focusing on supporting marginalized children living in institutional care. Through their chosen charity, the funds they raise provides them with educational and self-development opportunities in the classroom and in the outdoors. The skillsets they acquire better equips them for adult life and transforming them into happy and successful young adults.

In recognition of his community contribution, Rob was awarded ‘Person of the Year’ by the British Chamber of Commerce in 2015. In 2017, he received the Japan British Society award from HIH Princess Akiko.

Connect with Rob Williams:

Website: Knights in White Lycra https://www.kiwl.net/

AP Advisers Limited wwmw.ap-advisers.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-williams-723532/?originalSubdomain=jp

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uotJ2yKU1IY

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Mirai no Mori - https://mirai-no-mori.jp

500KM Cycle Ride 1- 4 June, 2023 sign up - https://www.kiwl.net/events/500km-cycle-ride

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

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

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

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co and check out his new album, FIFTY​/​50. https://music.cdavisshannon.com/album/fifty-50-2 Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide