Unpacking Japan

Today we talk to Serges, a multi-business entrepreneur based in Japan. He shares his journey from Africa to Japan, and how he founded companies like Dove Innovations and Japan Connect, which bridges Japanese and international businesses through strategic partnerships. We dive into the cultural differences in business practices between Africa and Japan, entrepreneurship as a foreigner, and building a meaningful network in Japan’s corporate world.

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https://japanconnect.org/

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Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

On this episode we talk to Idai, a successful model in Japan, even being featured in Vogue. We talk about her unique experience growing up black in Japan and how she became comfortable in her own skin. We also talk about her model career and the various ways in which things differ for her in Japan as opposed to other Japanese models.

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https://www.instagram.com/idaishe_o

https://www.instagram.com/ales_shop

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Subscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan!

Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

Today on Unpacking Japan, we’re joined by Matt, a gunner and Japanese interpreter from Matsumoto, Japan, with deep knowledge of Japan’s lesser-known gun history. We dive into the fascinating and world of guns in Japan—from the first introduction of firearms to samurai warfare, to how guns were eventually restricted and removed from everyday life. Matt breaks down the unique relationship Japan has had with firearms over the centuries and how that has shaped modern perspectives.

Follow Matt:

gunsamurai.com

instagram.com/gun.samurai

youtube.com/channel/UCTESkPCZd7N0zlgfO5NmVoQ

x.com/_gun_samurai

tiktok.com/@gun.samurai

facebook.com/matsumotoguncorps

teppougura.jp

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Subscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan!

Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

On this episode we talk with Stephane, an MMA fighter in Japan. Stephane goes in depth about being an MMA fighter, like what it's like to learn various kinds of fighting styles, dieting for weigh ins, the business side of getting fights and making money, as well as how MMA culture and rules are different in Japan.

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https://www.instagram.com/smashmuay

https://www.facebook.com/SmashMuayThai

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Subscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan!

Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

Today we talk to Thomas, entrepreneur from France who came to Japan and started Bento & Co. a business aimed at selling bento's online for an overseas market. Thomas also founded his next business Shipping & Co., and today we'll talk about what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur in Japan and how to follow through on your ideas for businesses.

Follow Thomas:

https://en.bentoandco.com/

https://www.shipandco.com/en/

https://www.instagram.com/bentoandcojapan

https://www.tiktok.com/@bentoandcojapan

https://www.facebook.com/BentoandcoJapan

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Subscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan!

Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

In this episode we talk to writer and photographer Craig, who talks about getting his books published in Japan, how to be a respectful tourist in Japan, and how going on long walks can cure many of life's ailments.Follow Craig:https://craigmod.com/https://www.instagram.com/craigmod/https://bsky.app/profile/craigmod.comFollow us on our social media:https://unpacking.jp/https://open.spotify.com/show/2YrHVOAvn4tddEGGclYMtP?si=564959cca6a74cdahttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanSubscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan! Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

Today we talk to entrepreneur Matt, who shares with us his diverse experiences during his Journey in Japan including moving here because of music, creating his own hot sauce, surviving a tsunami during the 3-11 disaster, and his passion for revitalizing rural communities and akiya.

Follow Matt:

https://www.mkultraman.com/

https://www.instagram.com/matthewbketchum

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Subscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan!

Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

Today we sit down with Norm from Tokyo Lens to talk about his 20+ year journey starting from a sudden passion for the shamisen, turning it into a profession, and how it then evolved into the content creation he is doing to this day. Norm shares with us his story, as well as the many lessons he's learned about being a creative and pursuing a life where you explore your own self interests.Follow Norm:

https://www.youtube.com/tokyolens

https://www.youtube.com/TokyoLensExplore

https://www.instagram.com/tokyo_oneFollow us on our social media:

https://unpacking.jp/

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Today we talk to Bellamy, an animator and character designer living in Japan who has worked on projects such as the animated series The Digital Circus. We explore what it takes to produce an episode with a team of animators, stereotypes about the anime industry, and what it takes to draw anime "authentically".

https://www.bellamybrooks.com/

https://www.instagram.com/bythebelle/

https://www.x.com/bythebelle

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https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/unpackingjapanSubscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan! Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/

On this episode we talk to Linnea, a Manga illustrator based in Tokyo who illustrates for series such as Idol Royale. We dive into her journey becoming a full-time illustrator in Japan and what it's like breaking into the competitive manga industry. Linnea also shares what it's like working with publishers and all the things an illustrator needs to consider when creating manga panels.Follow Linnea and her work:@keikokuplinneakataja.comhttps://www.instagram.com/keikokup/https://www.x.com/keikokuphttps://www.tiktok.com/@keikokup?lang=enhttps://www.patreon.com/keikokupFollow us on our social media:https://unpacking.jp/https://open.spotify.com/show/2YrHVOAvn4tddEGGclYMtP?si=564959cca6a74cdahttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanSubscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan! Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out https://careers.zen.group/en/