Make Working in Japan Work for You: A Virtual Discussion with Japan Expert Insights
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Working abroad comes with plenty of unique challenges, many of which Anthony Griffin is familiar with, having founded his brand, Saga Consulting, in Japan. Anthony joined a virtual discussion in early 2022, hosted by Maya Matsuoka and Tim Sullivan with Japan Expert Insights, to discuss the definition of success, tapping into the entrepreneurial mindset—especially while abroad—and ways to leverage your individual position to make working in Japan work for you.
The Blueprint for Success
“Before you do anything, you have to decide what success means to you,” says Anthony.
Whether “success” means running a large company, pioneering the next big business trend, or making enough money to provide for your family, the definition is different for everyone. Pinpointing what this looks like for you is the first step to take when starting your own business, regardless of where you are in the world.
For Anthony, success can be defined as doing good work, making a difference by answering client needs directly, and achieving what he calls “life profitability,” or the ability to not only run a profitable business, but to also make a comfortable living. His goal isn’t to grow the business for the sake of growing it—Saga Consulting will grow based on client needs. He says, “As long as clients keep needing more…, I’ll follow their needs and keep delivering on that value.” To learn more about life profitability and the future of Saga Consulting, check out this article here, which celebrates the brand’s recent five-year anniversary.
You may find that defining success for yourself is easier said than done. If you’re feeling unsure, Anthony’s advice is to start by asking, “what is your ‘why’?” According to Simon Sinek, British author and inspirational speaker, a “why” statement is, “The compelling higher purpose that inspires us and acts as the source of all we do.” Rather than starting with what you do, or how you do it, asking yourself why you do it, or want to do it, is a good way to uncover your own purpose, cause, and beliefs.
For Anthony, the “why” behind Saga Consulting is to help people or companies share their stories abroad. There are a variety of reasons behind his passion, but enabling companies that might not otherwise have the chance to share their story with the world is one driving force. In one instance, Anthony worked with Startup Guide to highlight Japanese companies by interviewing founders about why they started their companies and how they’re trying to change the world. Without this opportunity, these companies might not have been able to tell their stories to the world. You can read more about Startup Guide Tokyo and the companies Anthony worked with in this article.
Tapping into the Entrepreneurial Mindset
In the past, oftentimes the safest and most secure employment was at a large organization. Over the past several years, though, this idea has eroded for a variety of reasons. For Anthony, the collapse of Lehman Brothers and ensuing economic hardship in the US, and globally, was a wake-up call—working for yourself, or a company you truly believe in, became his, and many others’, idea of a more secure future.
If you’re not quite ready to take the leap from corporate comforts to striking out on your own, one way to prepare yourself is to keep the entrepreneurial mindset, even while working for a company. Anthony says, “I treated my boss and colleagues as clients, and I was always trying to serve their needs internally.” Another way you can do this is to continue being flexible and thinking outside of the box when it comes to business development.
Uncovering your first idea for a business can also be a big challenge. Here are some tips to help spark ideas:
Observe pain points and be mindful. You may discover unmet needs while working for a company or by utilizing your network.
Change your environment. Sometimes all it takes is a small—or big—change of environment to shift your perspective and inspire creativity. For Anthony, coming to Japan, and subsequently building his network here, inspired him to start Saga Consulting by exposing him to the marketing and communication coaching needs of those around him.
Recognize your strategic advantage. What can you offer that others can’t? As a foreigner in Japan, you may find yourself in a position to offer exceptional ideas, goods, or services. Anthony says, “If you are a foreigner offering unique services, you can stand out much more here than in the US or your home country.”
Working in Japan as a Foreigner: Hurdles and Avenues to Overcome
Doing business in a foreign country, and often times in a different language, can add a layer of difficulty that you wouldn’t necessarily face in your home country. Working in Japan as a foreigner is no exception with its unique culture and complex language system. Understanding the language and business culture can be challenging and time-consuming, but both are important aspects to finding long-term success in Japan.
There is one aspect that may work in your favor—you may find that being foreign can be a great ice-breaker in Japan. Anthony says, “Try going to a 100% Japanese business networking event, and people are going to talk to you. They’re going to think, ‘Who is this guy here who looks different, or acts different than all of us.’” And when all else fails, showing earnest effort to learn often inspires forgiveness and accommodation.
Another challenge that many foreigners face in Japan is reading the air. This can even be difficult in your home culture, so it’s especially difficult for those new to high-context cultures like Japan. Reading the air is key to understanding the market, though, and you can learn more about its importance by reading this interview with Henry Seals, a naturalized Japanese citizen originally from the US. One of the best ways to learn this skill is just by practicing, so it can be a lengthy learning process and taxing for those from low-context cultures. One way to overcome this is to ask questions and observe.
Above all, choosing the right corporate culture may have the most impact on your experience. Anthony says, “In my experience, having worked in [the US and Japan] for a decent amount of time, choosing the right corporate culture is much more important than worrying about the national culture.” Every culture, both national and corporate, has its unique set of issues, so it’s vital to look for something that makes you feel comfortable while allowing you use your potential. Anthony’s advice is to go out and, “explore those opportunities wherever they are in the world.”
Final Thoughts
Making working in Japan work for you is multifaceted, but one of the most important steps is to define what you want, and what success means to you. As you go through this process, you’ll be able to determine what mix of challenges and benefits will work best for you.
“If anyone is thinking about change, I just encourage you to have an open mind. Whether it’s business or where to live, see what baby steps you can take. See what experiments you can run to start pointing yourself in the right direction,” says Anthony.
If you’re interested in learning more about how you can make working in Japan work for you, check out the full video recording below.
About the Author
Alex Ehret is a writer, a teacher, and a communications professional. She hails from chilly Minnesota, USA, and currently lives in Tokyo, Japan. Her love for writing started with reading. She spent countless elementary school recesses in the computer lab, emulating her favorite books to make stories of her own. These days, she finds inspiration in the outdoors, in music, and in the human experience.