The Japanese market can be a tough nut to crack, but luckily, LinkedIn is full of experts happy to share their tips and tricks. This article highlights 22 LinkedIn influencers who post amazing insights on recruitment, marketing, public policy, business expansion, technology, and more. Following these pros will keep you in the loop and help you stay ahead in your career.
To Stay up-to-date on the latest influencers to follow in Japan, follow our CEO, Tyson Batino’s LinkedIn Page.
- LinkedIn Influencers for Recruitment
- LinkedIn Influencers for Marketing
- LinkedIn Influencers for Public Policy and Government
- LinkedIn Influencers for Business Expansion and Strategy
- LinkedIn Influencers for Technology and Security
- LinkedIn Influencers for Cross-Cultural Communication
- LinkedIn Influencers for Health and Fitness
- LinkedIn Influencers for Energy Sector Insights
- LinkedIn Influencers for Economic Insights
- LinkedIn Influencers for Leadership and Coaching
- LinkedIn Influencers for Legals and Financials
- Overview
LinkedIn Influencers for Recruitment
- Ray Sato
His posts on recruitment are fascinating, data-centered, and a must-read for any leader who wants to gain an advantage in recruiting top talent. His posts are one of the rare ones that I actually save.
Why Follow: Ray’s data-driven approach to recruitment is invaluable for leaders looking to refine their talent acquisition strategies. His insights are not only fascinating but also practical, making them a must-read.
- Alex Zoboli
Finally a recruiter who actually knows how to do marketing. Their YouTube channel for cornerstone recruitment is entertaining and informative – they answer the questions that people actually care about and want to know about and none of that generic recruitment content you see out there. I like how they push the barriers for some content. As for LinkedIn, he has informative posts about running a very successful recruitment firm and being a successful recruiter in Japan. Also, recruitment branding is something I can help with but my first question is ‘why should someone join your company in the first place?’ and I find 75% of entrepreneurs struggle with this question, even some successful companies.
Why Follow: Alex seamlessly combines recruitment with effective marketing strategies, providing content that is both engaging and informative. His posts challenge conventional recruitment practices and offer fresh perspectives. Listen to our podcast episode with Alex Zoboli
LinkedIn Influencers for Marketing
- Robert Heldt
If you have not heard of Robert yet, now is your chance. He runs a very successful marketing firm called Custom Media and is well-known among foreign business professionals in Tokyo. He posts regular content on new developments in the marketing space and can be a good source for marketing trends in Japan.
Why Follow: Robert’s regular updates on marketing trends in Japan are essential for anyone in the field. His firm, Custom Media, is a beacon of innovative marketing strategies, making his insights particularly valuable. Listen to our podcast episode with Robert Heldt
- Nanako Aramaki
Her posts are very useful for anyone new to entering the Japanese market and understanding what ‘can’ work and what definitely ‘does not’ work in regards to marketing and localization. She has posted a TON of content and worth checking out.
Why Follow: Nanako provides in-depth knowledge on marketing and localization in Japan, helping newcomers navigate the complexities of the market. Her extensive content is a treasure trove of practical advice.
- Fernando Lira
He posts some interesting content on the food & beverage industry in Japan. His company helps brands enter the market, and he shares some of his knowledge regarding importing goods and regulations and information for entering the Japanese market. Here are some good posts that I recommend. https://lnkd.in/gu9KAaUT https://lnkd.in/gJ4vkbPz https://lnkd.in/g3XQUvPG
Why Follow: Fernando’s expertise in the food & beverage industry is crucial for brands looking to enter the Japanese market. His posts cover essential aspects of importing goods and market regulations.
- Doston Ergashev
Many of you probably do not know who he is, but you will definitely start hearing more about him as months and years go by. After we expand my brand through podcasting and SEO, we are possibly thinking about making videos to showcase my expertise and knowledge and his videos serve as a good example of how to do that. Based in Tokyo and having experience working at YouTube (the company). He is also one of the few people who builds in public.
Why Follow: Doston’s experience at YouTube and his public content creation make his posts exemplary for anyone looking to expand their brand through podcasting, SEO, and videos.
LinkedIn Influencers for Public Policy and Government
- Mickey Langley & Kelly Langley (Langley Brothers)
The good ol Langley brothers is the place to go for knowledge on public policy and Japanese national government. For anyone where policy can impact your business, recommend checking them out.
Why Follow: The Langley brothers provide critical insights into public policy and the Japanese government, making their content indispensable for businesses affected by policy changes.
LinkedIn Influencers for Business Expansion and Strategy
- Bruno ABRIOUX
You have to dive back around 11 months to find it, but around that time, he posted frameworks and multiple posts with insights for B2B startups and scaleups in the realm of expanding to new markets. I have saved that framework and enjoy reading his thoughts on expansion in Asian markets. This is a recommendation to anyone who wants to expand out of Japan and into other Asian markets and vice-versa.
Why Follow: Bruno offers valuable frameworks and insights for B2B startups and scaleups, especially those looking to expand into Asian markets. His posts are a goldmine of strategic advice.
- Daniel Zarate
He has been posting some interesting content about marketplaces in Japan. He works at Covue, where I have interviewed the CEO, Scott Scofield (thanks, Meghan Bridges), on topics like import compliance in Japan and e-commerce sites in Japan. https://lnkd.in/grW-EuzW and https://lnkd.in/gVSRiDxU . Here are some recent posts on the annual sales volume of Amazon and another post on how to improve your open rates on Rakuten. https://lnkd.in/grk6c-j9 https://lnkd.in/g_BhPZzx
Why Follow: Daniel’s insights into marketplaces and e-commerce in Japan are essential for businesses aiming to navigate these sectors. His posts offer practical advice on compliance and sales strategies.
- Marton Lendvai, MBA
Now that we have moved forward with our referral business (meaning, people reach out to me and I refer them to the right person who can help them if not me), I have spent more time learning about importing, and the various industries foreigners are interested in. His posts on Food & Beverage are very informative and especially his graphs are things that I share with others.
Why Follow: Marton’s posts on the Food & Beverage industry are packed with informative graphs and insights, making them highly shareable and useful for those in the import business.
LinkedIn Influencers for Technology and Security
- Camilo Sandoval
Former Chief Information Security Officer for the White House, but an active adviser and angel investor to Japan-based startups. I personally tend to turn a blind eye toward macro trends in the government and investment space. However, the CEO in me sometimes feels like knowing what is going on, and Camilo’s posts help me feel informed without having to invest a lot of time researching and talking about trends to people. I also like when he shares his opinion on developments in the security and healthcare space, as this is top-level expert insight.
Why Follow: Camilo’s expert insights into security and healthcare are invaluable for staying informed about macro trends without extensive research. His background as a former White House CISO adds credibility to his posts.
LinkedIn Influencers for Cross-Cultural Communication
- Kiyoshi Matsumoto
Kiyoshi Matsumoto is your go-to guy to get a handle on the Japanese complex businesses and cultural nuances in bite-sized and easy-to-read format based on his experiences as an entrepreneur + cross-cultural communication expert. Kiyoshi’s posts keep me in the loop and sharpen my appreciation of Japanese nuances. Even if you feel you are a Japan master, you can learn a lot from Kiyoshi.
Why Follow: Kiyoshi’s bite-sized content on Japanese business and cultural nuances is a must-read for anyone working in Japan. His expertise in cross-cultural communication is invaluable.
LinkedIn Influencers for Health and Fitness
- Menya Hinga
He posts informative content in bite-size pieces about fitness, nutrition, and how a mindset can lead to a better life. I like his concept of paying for coaching. You will pay for it in one way or another (pay in cash or pay for it in the negative end either in time, suffering, money, or a combination – in my case of not paying a trainer and doing DIY training and wasting around 5 months and luckily not injuring myself). As a coach for founders and CEOs, I often see their staff pay the price in lost career development potential and also company potential by founders and managers who do not seek help to level up. In short he posts things that are things you know, but is nice to have someone remind you several times a week.
Why Follow: Menya’s posts on fitness, nutrition, and mindset provide practical advice that can enhance both personal and professional life. His concept of paying for coaching to avoid negative consequences is particularly insightful.
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LinkedIn Influencers for Energy Sector Insights
- Magdalena Osumi
Magdalena is a good source of information on the energy space in Japan. She shares many posts and sometimes commentary on renewable energy developments in the Japanese market. Similar to Azarel Chamorro as the person to follow in the mobility space and Kelly Langley for the political landscape, she is the person to follow for energy.
Why Follow: Magdalena’s posts on renewable energy developments in Japan provide valuable updates and insights into the energy sector, making her a key influencer to follow for energy-related information.
LinkedIn Influencers for Economic Insights
- Richard Katz
Probably most of you know him already, but if you want to get a picture of some of the macro factors impacting Japan like exchange rate, trade, and more, I highly recommend checking his posts. He has been featured in many if not all of the well-known business publications, so why not hear things from the source directly.
Why Follow: Richard’s insights on macroeconomic factors impacting Japan, such as exchange rates and trade, are crucial for understanding the broader economic landscape. His expertise is well-recognized in business publications.
LinkedIn Influencers for Leadership and Coaching
- Nikolas Konstantin 🌱
It’s not related to Japan, but world-class posts about leadership and running a company that I don’t currently see domestically. I see many many people who need coaching (my belief is everyone needs coaching – I have had coaches myself) could improve their leadership skills and his content is the place to check. He has so much good content that the value per second of time spent looking at his profile is very high. https://lnkd.in/gjeA69uk?
Why Follow: Nikolas’s world-class posts on leadership and company management provide high-value content that can significantly enhance leadership skills. His emphasis on the importance of coaching is particularly noteworthy.
LinkedIn Influencers for Legals and Financials
- Yuki Hirose
An experienced immigration lawyer for foreign nationals in Japan. Through her posts, she provides up-to-date information on her results and challenges in the immigration process, such as processing times, road bumps, or government updates and is a good place to check for visa information!
Why Follow: Yuki’s updates on immigration processes are essential for anyone dealing with visa issues in Japan. Her posts offer timely and practical advice on navigating legal challenges.
- Roy Uehara
Roy, who is a US & Japan Tax specialist shares a lot of excellent tax advice for professionals and businesses who are involved with the Japanese market. One example: In the following post he gives tax tips to business travelers to Japan. https://lnkd.in/gvJQAPBP Second example: For personal taxes in Japan: https://lnkd.in/gfhd5zkU
Why Follow: Roy’s tax advice for professionals and businesses in the Japanese market is practical and timely. His posts offer clear and useful tips for navigating complex tax issues.
Ready to Set Up Your Company in Japan?
Overview
Following these influencers on LinkedIn will keep you informed and inspired, providing a wealth of knowledge across various industries and specialties. Whether you’re looking to improve your recruitment strategies, understand public policy, or gain insights into the Japanese market, these professionals offer the content you need to stay ahead.
If you’re looking to launch your business in Japan and need expert guidance, consider leveraging the services of Launch-lab Japan. Our team provides comprehensive support to help you navigate the complexities of the Japanese market, from strategy development to execution. Let us help you succeed in one of the most dynamic markets in the world. Learn more about Launch-lab Japan.
