Special Episode: Subsidies and Fundraising in Japan with Nobuji Kanai

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Episode Summary

Welcome to an extra episode on the Scaling Japan Podcast. Today, we’re bringing you an insightful, in-depth conversation on how to effectively localize your marketing in Japan. Join experts Nanako Aramaki and Nathan Hornig as they share practical strategies and crucial insights to help businesses adapt to the Japanese unique marketing environment.

Throughout this episode, we’ll cover the essentials of high-context culture, adapting marketing content, common mistakes made by foreign companies, and proven approaches to building trust with Japanese consumers. Nanako and Nathan also dive into the subtleties of Japanese language use in marketing, the importance of social proof, and when to consider creating new content versus localizing existing material.

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Show Summary

00:00 – Intro
00:44 – Speaker Backgrounds: Nanako Aramaki and Nathan Hornig
05:15 – Host Overview of Agency’s Revenue Growth Services in Japan
07:07 – Japan’s High-Context Culture and Marketing Adaptation Needs
10:22 – Language Nuances in Japanese Marketing and Consumer Perceptions
14:38 – Effective Indirect Marketing for Japanese Consumers
20:25 – Importance of Language Tone and Context in Marketing Content
26:04 – Establishing Trust in the Japanese Market with Social Proof and Quality
30:31 – Japanese Consumer Preferences for Quality and Service Standards
32:37 – Localizing Content vs. Creating New Content for Japan
42:43 – Translation Pitfalls in Japanese Marketing
46:30 – Misaligned Messaging and Cultural Disconnects
56:11 – Common Mistakes by Foreign Companies Entering Japan
1:09:47 – Evaluating Product-Market Fit in Japan Before Market Entry
1:14:24 – Strategies for Effective Marketing Localization in Japan
1:31:16 – Cultural Expectation for Detailed Guidance in Japanese Consumer Experience
1:39:54 – Closing Remarks and Speaker Contact Information

Links from Guest Appearance

Reach out to Nobuji Kanai on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Find out more @KANAI&CO

Watch On YouTube

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