Hiroki M

Strengths and Achievements as an Agency

Q: What specific achievements and strengths do you have in assisting overseas companies entering Japan? Could you share some examples?

A: Over the past few years, our company has supported the Japanese market entry of numerous overseas enterprises. One particularly notable case involves assisting a financial services company with its business expansion in Japan. We handled everything, from strategic design to execution, for their launch of services originally deployed in Southeast Asia. Although they initially faced low brand recognition, we were successful in promoting their services and ultimately driving growth.

We firmly believe that our strength lies in providing comprehensive support to our valued customers; while our primary focus is on marketing activities, we also work together with different departments, such as customer support (CS), to ensure holistic support for a smooth Japanese market entry experience. Likewise, we believe our ability to offer diverse forms of support is a key advantage of our services.

Q: With numerous advertising agencies available, what sets your company apart and makes it the ideal choice? Could you highlight your unique qualities and competitive advantages?

A: Our competitive advantage lies in our team composition of English and Japanese Native staff members. When it comes to successful market penetration in Japan, understanding the Japanese culture and business customs in detail is crucially important. Our firm employs numerous staff members who possess deep insights into Japanese sensibilities and culture, enabling us to devise strategies with appropriate cultural relevance.

Furthermore, our team consists of proficient English speakers, allowing us to conduct all necessary communications such as meetings and reportings in English, facilitating smooth communication with overseas enterprises. We believe that this differentiation sets us apart from our competitors and provides compelling reasons for choosing our services.

Q: In which industries and for what sizes of overseas companies does your company excel in providing support?

A: We do not specialize exclusively in specific industries as we work with clients in both B2B and B2C sectors across a wide range of industries; however, in terms of our track record, we do have significant experience in providing support to the apparel industry and for services targeting B2C clients.

Expertise and Connections in the Japanese Market

Q: How does your company gather and analyze information on the latest trends in the Japanese market and consumer behavior?

A:  On a regular day-to-day basis, we gather information from media sources such as online news and newspapers, and we strive to acquire primary information directly from governmental sources as much as possible. 

Additionally, we emphasize on verifying the credibility of the information sources by using analytical methods focusing on segmentation (criterias include: geographical, demographic, behavioral, and psychological). 

Q: How do you ensure that you stay current with the latest information and expertise in the fast-paced Japanese market?

A: Our ways of maintaining and constantly updating our knowledge are through regular training sessions and seminars, participation in industry events, and utilizing an internal knowledge sharing system. We actively participate in marketing and business-related seminars held domestically to acquire the latest information, and also put much weight onto attending industry events, where we directly learn about cutting-edge technologies and marketing methods through exhibitions and conferences while expanding our network.

Service Offerings and Proposal Capabilities

Q: What specific services do you offer to overseas companies considering entering the Japanese market? (Examples include market research, marketing strategy development, advertising creative production, media planning, PR activities, event planning, website development, and multilingual support.)

A: From strategic planning to execution, we provide comprehensive support for your company’s entry into the Japanese market. This includes conducting research and analysis on the characteristics of the market, competitive situation, consumer trends, etc., and formulating the optimal market entry strategy tailored for your company. Based on our research findings, we will develop specific plans for narrowing down your customers, marketing and sales strategies and create a slogan optimized for the Japanese market. All of the content will be localized to fit the market, ensuring effective communication between your company and others.

Q: What considerations should one keep in mind when expanding from overseas into Japan?

A: As I mentioned earlier, it is crucial to deeply understand Japanese culture and business customs when expanding your business into the foreign market. There is always a high demand for quality service, especially in customer service; meticulous attention and high-quality service is expected on the regular.

Q: Can you offer flexible and rapid responses tailored to the needs and challenges of client companies?

A: Of course! We also offer flexible and speedy responses tailored specifically to your company’s needs and circumstances. Our experienced professionals will guide your company through the entry process into the Japanese market, towards success. Please feel free to contact us any time for consultation.

Team Structure and Expertise

Q: What specialized knowledge and experience do the teams assigned to overseas companies possess? (Examples include bilingual staff, professionals with international experience, experts in various fields, etc.)

A: Our overseas business team is composed of bilingual marketers and native staff, all capable of fluent English communication. They each hold their expertise in various fields such as advertising operations, direction, SEO, and content creation. We will cater to your needs by assigning the most apt staff member(s) according to your project requirements.

Q: How do you navigate cultural and language barriers when communicating with client companies?

A: We overcome language barriers by conducting all communication with clients in the universal language: English.

Q: How do you communicate the progress and outcomes of projects to client companies?

A: We generally provide updates through chat on an ongoing basis, along with monthly online progress meetings. In case of any urgent matters, we will promptly address them via chat. 

Collaborative Approach with International Companies

Q: How do you foster smooth communication and establish trust?

A: To foster smooth communication and build trust, we prioritize timely and detailed reportings. We believe that promptly reporting everything, including minor details, contributes to gaining trust from our clients.

Q: How do you mitigate potential misunderstandings or issues arising from cultural and business practice differences?

A: We cherish regular communication and maintain close contact with our clients on a regular basis to quickly identify and solve issues as they arise. 

Q: How do you assist client companies in their long-term growth as partners?

A: By conducting ongoing research and analysis to support the long-term growth of our client companies, it enables us to stay updated about the latest market trends and consumer needs, which allows us to propose appropriate strategies. In addition, we regularly review our strategies to flexibly adapt to changes in the market environment, ensuring that we consistently maintain optimal strategies.