--- --- # New Ways of Doing Global Business As an island nation, Japan’s international ambitions and overseas exports have always played a crucial role in its economy. Today, these global connections take many different forms, with companies exporting ideas and philosophies as well as products, and working with a diverse mix of partners to support growth. Different industries may target different markets, while shifting economic policies such as tariffs and fluctuating currencies also play a significant role. For a nation steeped in ingenuity and innovation, however, these are challenges to be relished and faced head-on. Kozo Hasegawa, president of Global-Dining Inc., believes staff hold the key to overseas success. “For your business to thrive, you need to ensure you have a great group of talented people managing it. That is what we have here in Tokyo, and now we are putting together such groups of talented people in the U.S. We just opened our third restaurant in LA,” said Hasegawa. Another popular strategy is building brand partnerships, according to Katsumi Komatsu, president of medical device manufacturer Colan Totte Co., Ltd. “Our top priority is to collaborate with globally recognized brands, which is why we’re shifting our R&D strategy and outreach efforts. We are looking at how to integrate our magnetic technology into sneakers and apparel,” said Komatsu. “These kinds of partnerships would need to begin with their U.S. headquarters rather than their Japan branches. Looking ahead, we see strong potential for growth across diverse markets, particularly in Europe and Southeast Asia,” he added. Marutaka Clothing Co., Ltd. is deploying a targeted approach to global sales. “We are directly reaching out to specialty stores worldwide and may seek help from agencies for specific brands. The main aspect is to push forward to local markets with a detailed approach, following a similar way to our expansion in Japan,” said President Takahiko Takaura. “Sometimes, we work together with global companies to sell to markets such as Taiwan. Of course, marketing is important, but quality really serves as evidence for people around the world,” he added. President Kazuhiro Ikeda of Ikeda Mohando Co., Ltd. is aiming to capitalize on existing overseas interests. “Our goal is to enhance and further develop our existing markets, such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, and we aim to expand the Muhi brand's product portfolio despite the strict regulations. This will allow us to showcase the full variety of the Muhi brand in these markets,” said Ikeda. Takeshi Ariake, president of staircase manufacturer Yokomori Mfg. Co., admitted that trade fluctuations must be taken into account when it comes to global plans. “The United States has long been a primary target for expansion, but recent economic uncertainties have made it difficult to commit to a clear strategy. At the same time, the Chinese market has reached its lowest point, making it an unreliable option for future growth,” said Ariake. “That said, the U.S. remains a key priority, and we are considering establishing another outpost to expand our sales channels and supply chains. In terms of Southeast Asia and Oceania, we must carefully evaluate conditions before entering local markets,” he added. In the dental products market, Nissin Corporation has major plans for overseas expansion, according to President Koji Yokoe. “We have many sales offices across the world. However, we have limited production capacity overall. While our dental models can be produced in Japan, China, and Mexico, our Simudont machines are only made in the Netherlands, by our local subsidiary,” said Yokoe. “We are looking to manufacture products specifically in the countries that we can then use them in, so increasing global capacity will be an important step going forward,” he added. Respecting and properly considering your target market is a crucial part of any exporting process, particularly in the dining sector. “Establishing a brand overseas requires carefully balancing respect for local culture with a thoughtful introduction to Japanese culinary traditions,” said Kaichiro Sumi, president of Chitaka International Foods Co., Ltd. “When we opened Tonkatsu Chitaka in Taiwan, we faced challenges, but expanded to 12 locations. We are now bringing back that food culture to Japan. Through this kind of cultural exchange, we aim to build brands deeply rooted in local communities while maintaining the trusted quality of Japanese cuisine,” he added. Boso Oil & Fat Co., Ltd. President Toshiyuki Kaneko said his firm embraces a blend of domestic and international food traditions. “Behind the Japanese food industry is a long history and culture. Over many years, we have taken many influences from other countries, both from Asia and the West and have been able to introduce these changes into our culture,” said Kaneko. 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