"Doing business is all about coping with uncertainty" That was the opening line from the CEO of the recently-opened Japan office of a FTSE 100 company who spoke to Embassy staff a few weeks ago. He went on to say that UKTI and government had a role to play in helping business make sense of the shifting landscape of opportunity and risk that confronts any company trying to do business internationally.
And that, essentially, is the rationale for the first issue of our Export to Japan e-newsletter which we've just launched, along with enhanced online resources for UK companies about current opportunities, events and business pointers. If you didn’t get see the first issue, then you can subscribe to receive it here.
Many reading this blog will at some point have wondered whether Japan would offer a good opportunity for their company. On further investigation some have decided that the timing was not right. Others have seen their relationships gradually take root and in some cases develop to a point where Japan is a significant part of their business.
Whatever the scenario, you’ve probably never been able to devote as much time and attention as you’ve have liked to reviewing how the business environment is changing and what the implications are for you. Japan barely features in the UK news unless it’s to tell the story of a major disaster or a quirky new invention. Which, unless you’re in the nuclear decommissioning sector or a student of the absurd is probably not much help to your business.
That’s where my team of experienced sector experts in UKTI Japan comes in. We can act as your eyes, ears and hands on the ground. We can help you understand how things are changing, what the latest trends are, and what they mean for you. We can gather market intelligence, seek feedback from potential partners and customers, organise a programme of meetings for you - whatever it might take for you to build or develop your business here. I hope our newsletter and the new enhanced online resources can give you a good flavour of the huge reserves of insight and experience that our staff command - and they’re all at your disposal. That’s why we’re here!
Do let us know if you think we could help you, and how, or if you have any feedback on the content or format of our newsletter and new online resources. We plan to send out ‘Export to Japan’ every couple of months or so, and of course in the meantime you can keep in touch with developments in the Japanese market via the Japan pages on the UKTI website or connect directly with my team at exporttojapan@fco.gov.uk.
We look forward to supporting you in your aspirations for your business. And meanwhile, good luck navigating that uncertain world out there!
Sue Kinoshita
Director of Trade and Investment, UKTI Japan