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In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Fariza Abidova, CEO and co-founder of Trusted Corporation. With over a decade of experience in cross-border innovation and global HR development, Fariza offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at Japan’s corporate innovation ecosystem.
Japan’s reputation for innovation is world-renowned—but internally, the pace of change is slowing. Fariza shares why many innovation projects stall inside Japanese corporations, how culture and hierarchy play a larger role than people think, and what foreign entrepreneurs, governments, and even entire cities can do to push innovation forward.
Whether you’re trying to collaborate with Japanese corporates, lead an open innovation initiative, or simply navigate Japan’s conservative decision-making culture—this episode maps the opportunities, risks, and hidden barriers that most people never talk about.
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Show Notes:
00:00 – Introduction
03:05 – Why Accelerating Innovation in Japan
08:05 – Open Innovation
14:10 – Working with Japanese Corporations
19:45 – Innovation Challenges in Japanese Companies
23:05 – Secret Challenges Only Insiders Know
29:50 – How to Foster Innovation in Corporates
31:50 – Cities in Japan to Launch Innovation Projects
35:30 – Strategies for Accelerating Innovation
43:30 – Government Policy Shifts
50:10 – Tips for Engaging with Large Corporations
52:05 – Timelines: Japan vs Global
56:31 – Final Message from Fariza
Link from Guest Appearance:
- Reach Out to Fariza Abidova on LinkedIn
AIM B2B – Integrated Marketing & PR in Asia
This episode is sponsored by Custom Media, Tokyo’s leading integrated marketing and PR agency since 2008, helping global brands expand across Japan and APAC. They have recently re-branded to AIM B2B.
- Localized storytelling to build trust in Asian markets
- Strategic performance marketing for measurable growth
- Account‑based marketing (ABM), paid media, GEO, and SEO
- HubSpot‑certified CRM & marketing automation
- Data‑driven implementation with cultural expertise
Learn more about AIM B2B
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