Hidetaka Nakakohji
Executive Director, International
Asahi Advertising Inc.
WPI APR, Japan
It has been a long while since many Japanese corporations started their businesses in overseas countries, and many of them are successful internationally. However, this trend is accelerating at an unprecedented speed. In addition to operating projects to increase their sales in overseas countries, there has been a rapid increase in the number of Japanese corporations that launch their main businesses overseas in the recent years.
The time when Japanese companies considered Japan as their only target market is over. It has now become strategically necessary to seek opportunities for success in the global market, particularly across the Asian market. While it is true that the Japanese companies need to operate beyond the ever-shrinking Japanese market, more importantly, I believe that the Japanese society and corporations have a role to play in creating new values through utilizing the resources and know-how to bring benefits to the global community.
Through many experiences of working for global corporations in the Japanese market, I understand the importance of understanding the local market where your companies do, or are going to do your businesses. Just as some global campaigns with no consideration to the Japanese mentality did not work, values only understandable in Japan will never work in other markets. It is very important to grasp the local insight and do marketing and planning by understanding the society, consumers, business customs, culture, and mentality in each local market.
I am confident that the strong and unique network of WPI will bring value to your company’s business, as each partner has its own unique strengths and strong expertise in each local market. We provide support to Japanese companies in launching and operating their businesses in various markets in the Asia-Pacific region as well as to the international companies launching and operating their businesses in Japan and in the Asia-Pacific region, through maximizing our WPI networks that are deeply rooted and have clear insights in the local communities.