2021

Asia

Asia business experience – 【Philippines】Manila Airport now and then

　I first visited the Philippines in the mid-1990s. I had a very unique experience at Manila Airport. That was when I used the toilet at the airport. When I stood in front of the wash basin, the toilet cleaner next to me twisted the faucet and let out water. And when I finished washing my hands, he gave me a tissue towel. It was my first time to receive such a service at the airport and I was impressed that it was a wonderful country. But when I was about to leave, the toilet cleaner reached out and asked for a tip. I couldn’t believe this was happening at the airport.    And something even more surprising happened. When I passed through customs and left the lobby, there was a person selling photos. It was a picture of me. It was a photo taken on the way to the immigration procedure when the plane arrived at Manila Airport. By the time I leave the airport, the photos are developed and sold.    At that time, such things may have been tolerated, but now the economy has grown and the standards of international airports have risen, and no such scene can be […]

Asia

Asia Business Experience –【Indonesia】The terrorist bombing incident in Bali shocked me.

　It was about 20 years ago. At the time, I was working for computer peripheral manufacturer and was responsible for sales and marketing in the Asia Pacific region. The development of distributors for computer peripherals has progressed steadily in each country, and the number has exceeded 20. Around this time, we invited all distributors to hold a distributor meeting once every two years. 　We planned a 2002 distributor meeting in Bali, Indonesia from Oct. 21st to 25th. In line with this, we had almost completed preparations 10 days before the date of the event, such as adjusting flights for participants from each country, booking accommodation and meals, and preparing presentation materials for the event. All that was left was to make the final adjustments and board the airplane. The terrorist bombing incident occurred on October 12 in Bali. The damage was enormous and shocked all over the world, and the distributor meeting was canceled. If there was a terrorist bomb attack during the distributor meeting, it would have been disastrous.  We also prayed for the souls of the victims of the terrorist bombing. （Image: 45th anniversary event of Indonesia distributor）

Asia

Asia Business Experience – 【Vietnam】Changes with economic growth

　In 1986, the Doi Moi policy was launched in Vietnam. In the 1990’s, the results of economic stability and growth began to appear. And explosive growth began in 2000. I first visited Vietnam in 1998, and I was able to fully feel the momentum of economic growth. At that time, I stayed in Ho Chi Minh City, but the number of motorcycles was overwhelming. I got the impression that motorcycles are prioritized over cars. I saw many women riding motorcycles dashingly wearing the traditional Vietnam costume Ao Dai. 　The photo was taken in Ho Chi Minh City in 2015. There were still many motorcycles, but the car society also penetrated, and the road was shared by cars and motorcycles. And I could hardly see a woman wearing Ao Dai among the riders. I felt the changing times. （Image: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam）

Asia

Asia Business Experience – 【Thailand】A country where there are many respectful and polite people.

　In the middle of 1990, I went to Thailand for the first time. I arrived at the airport in Bangkok and looked for a taxi through customs. I found that the taxi charges are in advance. I took a taxi without having to worry about the taxi’s fee. But my taxi was almost stuck in traffic as it approached the center of Bangkok. Because the infrastructure had not been maintained I did not know what time we would be at the hotel. And I was convinced that the taxi’s fee was prepaid. 　And it took about two hours to get to the hotel. But I looked closely, and it was not the hotel I booked. When I told the driver about it, the driver recommended me that I should change the hotel because it is inexpensive and better service. It is never going to happen in Japan. But I saw a blind smile, I could easily forgive it. My impression of Thailand still does not change that much. A country where many respectful and polite people are. （Image: Chiang Mai, Thailand）

Asia

Asia Business Experience – 【China】Large-scale building remained impressive.

 　I first traveled to China in the late 1990s. I worked in the IT company, and I was involved in a project that would set up a subsidiary in China. A Chinese employee played an important role as a bridge between Japan and China. The project succeeded and we could establish a subsidiary in China. 　When the project was ongoing, I traveled to Beijing, China almost every month. My business contact showed me the city and the surroundings of Beijing. Government buildings and commercial facilities in the center of Beijing are very large, and there are no similar buildings in Tokyo. I saw the Forbidden City (National Palace Museum), and I felt the history of the emperor as well as its size. And when I saw the Great Wall, I was overwhelmed. I felt a mind-boggling when I imagined how many thousand kilometers of walls were built. （Image:  Great Wall of China）

Asia

Asia Business Experience – 【India】My first business trip to India

　I had business trip to India nearly 40 times. My first business trip to India was June, 1995. I was stimulated by India and I have changed my outlook on life a little. At that time, I mostly went on a business trip by myself, my first business trip to India was also alone. I remember booking a hotel with no internet, using a travel guidebook to fax. 　As for my first business trip to India, I visited four cities for ten days. The first time I arrived was Chennai Airport. It was midnight, so I got into a taxi right away. After left the airport, road lamps became more less and the road was getting dark. Then, the taxi driver suddenly put brakes even though there was no traffic light. I felt like I was waiting for long time. I was a foreigner and I was worried what I would do if I was attacked. At the very time, a few black cows were slowly crossing the road. I heard cows are God in India, and it was really true. My worries have completely disappeared and I could not help laughing. （Image: India）

Asia

Asia Business Experience – 【Singapore】What I learned through hiring people

　Singapore has the same area as 23 districts of Tokyo, but it has about 5.7 million people. Singapore’s markets are never big, but the infrastructure is being developed as a business base in South East Asia. In Singapore, English, Chinese, and other languages are used as an official language.  Singapore encourages foreign investments and company set up in Singapore. Singapore’s strength is that there are many skilled and experienced people. 　I stayed in Singapore for six years and experienced management of the subsidiary set up by Japan HQ. When you hire people in Japan, most people agree to keep current salary. However most people expect more than 10% increase of their salary in Singapore.  The reason is simple: because they are going to change their jobs. The new job market has been established, and the salary increase is common practice. And then we create Job Description like Western companies and make sure the job is clear. （Image: Singapore）

Asia

Asia business experience – 【Taiwan】Strong business connection with both Japan and China

　I have been doing Asia business for about 30 years, but I have never met anyone who calls Taiwan bad. The first visit to Taiwan was 1993. At that time, there were so many motorcycles, and motorcycles were running like weaving between cars. In Taipei City, subway construction was carried out, and the infrastructure was rapidly developed and the city was full of energy. I also felt very friendly while watching the streets and people in Taiwan. 　Many Taiwanese companies have strong pipes to Japan and China. In fact, when I was working in the IT company, Taiwan company became a contact window to manage production in China. It is sometimes difficult for Japanese companies to deal directly with Chinese companies. Taiwanese companies will be the mediator of business. The communication will become better and the trust relationship will increase. Taiwan also plays an important role in geopolitical affairs. （Image: Taipei, Taiwan）

Asia

Asia business experience – 【Korea】Culture that respects elders

　I have had stationed in Korea for four years. I learned how difficult it was to set up a subsidiary overseas. At the same time, I actually experienced how exciting and worthwhile it is. In Korea, people care about parents, grandparents, and elders. The below story is an example of that. 　One day, I had dinner with Japanese employees who came from Japan on a business trip to Korea and Korean employees. Both employees belonged to the department that I was responsible for. We went to karaoke for team building after dinner. We really got excited. And somehow, they began to throw a wet towel at each other. At that time, one of Japanese employee threw a wet towel lightly in my direction, but unfortunately it hit me. Then a Korean employee who saw it got extremely angry with this Japanese employee. It was hard to appease the anger of this Korean employee. I thought that a little rude lecture would be allowed. However, I experienced myself that it would never be allowed. （Image: Seoul, Korea）

KG News

Business development in Asia – Online seminar, key success factors for Asian business. 18:00-19:30 on April 7, 2021, Japan time.

INASIA LLC has been running Global Consultant Network. It connects an expert business person to companies which are expanding overseas. This time, Kansei Group Co., Ltd. will join as an online seminar lecturer.  The online seminar title is key success factors for Asian business. The lecturer has been building Asian business from scratch for 25 years tells us the key success factors for business in Asia with his success and failure. The fee for the seminar is free. If you are interested, please register at the following link. https://www.global-cons.biz/2021/03/21/20210407_asia_business/ （Image: Global Consultant Network`s home page）