Scaling Japan Podcast

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we’re joined by Neil Curtis, founder and CEO of Rising Sun Commerce, who has over a decade of experience helping international brands succeed on Amazon Japan.With hands-on experience supporting Western brands entering Japan, Neil helps companies navigate localization, compliance, and growth in one of the world’s most competitive e-commerce markets.In this episode, Neil explains why many brands fail on Amazon Japan not because of their product, but because they misunderstand how Japanese consumers evaluate trust, risk, and value. If you are a founder, e-commerce leader, or marketer expanding into Japan, this conversation will change how you approach Amazon, localization, and long-term growth.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why Amazon Japan is one of the most competitive and misunderstood marketplacesWhy translation is not enough and proper localization is criticalHow Japanese consumers prioritize trust, risk reduction, and detailed informationWhy brand building matters more than just listing productsHow pricing dynamics and competition impact conversionWhy Amazon ads require a long-term investment mindsetHow off-Amazon efforts like influencers and PR improve performanceShow Notes00:00 Introduction to Neil Curtis and Amazon Japan expertise07:08 Why Amazon Japan is harder than most foreign brands expect12:45 Why brand building matters more than just listing products21:00 How Amazon listings, fulfillment, and advertising work in Japan36:29 How to localize product pages for Japanese consumers42:15 Why off-Amazon brand building and influencer marketing matterLinks from Guest Appearance:🔗 Neil Curtis – Founder & CEO, Rising Sun Commerce🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-curtis/ Coaching with TysonLooking to take your business to the next level? Tyson Batino helps founders scale from $100,000 to $10,000,000 through coaching and advisory.📈 Learn more: https://scalingyourcompany.com🎤 Send a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we’re joined by Stef Curcio, founder of Scale Acquisition AI, who has helped over 200 clients and supported more than 1,000 professionals with LinkedIn lead generation.With hands-on experience building outreach systems, personal brands, and AI-assisted workflows, Stef shares how LinkedIn can still be used as a powerful client acquisition channel in 2026. He explains why many people fail to get results on LinkedIn not because the platform stopped working, but because they misunderstand how trust, visibility, and conversations actually drive conversions.If you are a founder, consultant, agency owner, or B2B operator trying to generate more clients, this conversation will change how you think about LinkedIn content, outbound, and relationship-building.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why LinkedIn is still one of the strongest B2B acquisition channels in 2026Why silent viewers and profile visitors often become your best leadsHow a simple system of posting and daily outreach can build a consistent pipelineWhy personalized DMs can outperform volume-based outreachHow to recognize buying signals and know when to make the askHow to find and validate the right prospects on LinkedInWhere AI can support lead generation without replacing human relationshipsShow Notes:00:00 Introduction to Stef Curcio and LinkedIn lead generation02:21 Why LinkedIn is still powerful for B2B customer acquisition04:48 How organic reach works and why silent viewers matter11:21 A simple LinkedIn system for building pipeline19:19 Relationship-first outreach and when to make the ask31:22 How to find and validate the right prospects on LinkedIn37:40 Using AI and automation without losing authenticityLinks from Guest Appearance:Stef Curcio : Founder of Scale Acquisition AI🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stef-curcio/ Coaching with TysonLooking to take your business to the next level? Tyson Batino helps founders scale from $100,000 to $10,000,000 through coaching and advisory.📈 Learn more: https://scalingyourcompany.com🎤 Send a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we’re joined by Brittany Arthur, Co-Founder and CEO of Design Thinking Japan, and a leader in human-centered AI implementation.With experience working with companies like Nissan, Honda, and Starbucks, Brittany helps organizations move beyond AI hype into real, practical adoption. She is also an official partner of Microsoft’s Elevate Initiative, supporting companies in building AI capability from the ground up.In this episode, Brittany explains why many AI initiatives in Japan fail not because of the technology, but because of gaps in leadership, strategy, and foundational understanding. If you are a founder, executive, or marketer working with AI in Japan, this conversation will change how you approach implementation and scaling.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why AI is a multiplier, not a shortcut, and what that means for leadershipWhy many AI initiatives fail when treated like side projectsThe concept of “Minimum Viable Literacy” and what leaders need to understandWhy data, ethics, and security are critical for AI successWhy AI adoption requires both literacy and experimentationJapan’s opportunity in “physical AI” and monozukuriHow Japan can compete globally in the AI eraShow Notes00:00 Introduction to Brittany Arthur and Human-Centered AI04:33 Japan’s AI Landscape: High Interest but Unclear Starting Point08:19 AI is a Multiplier: Why Leadership and Strategy Must Come First12:22 Japan’s Opportunity: From Missed Software Era to Physical AI16:45 Minimum Viable Literacy: Data, Ethics, Security, and Problem Definition29:22 AI Adoption = Literacy + Experimentation39:06 Why Japan Is Positioned to Win: Monozukuri, Culture, and LongevityLinks from Guest Appearance:🔗 Brittany Arthur – Co-Founder & CEO, Design Thinking Japan🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanyart/ Coaching with TysonLooking to take your business to the next level? Tyson Batino helps founders scale from $100,000 to $10,000,000 through coaching and advisory.📈 Learn more: https://scalingyourcompany.com🎤 Send a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we’re joined by Shuma Goko, who has extensive experience supporting global companies with trade shows and event marketing in Japan.With hands-on experience helping foreign companies enter the Japanese market, Shuma shares how trade shows can be used as a powerful go-to-market channel in a country where trust, relationships, and in-person interactions are critical.In this episode, Shuma explains why many companies fail to generate results from trade shows in Japan not because of the channel itself, but because they misunderstand how Japanese buyers evaluate vendors and build trust. If you are a founder or marketer entering Japan, this conversation will change how you think about offline GTM, localization, and lead conversion.In This Episode, We Cover:Why trade shows are still essential in Japan’s trust-based business cultureHow face-to-face interaction and product experience impact buying decisionsThe industries where trade shows perform best, including tech, manufacturing, food, and lifestyleThe most common mistakes foreign companies make, especially around localization and follow-upWhy clarity in messaging matters more than flashy booth designThe reality that only about 10 percent of attendees are decision-makersHow fast and structured follow-up within 24 to 48 hours drives conversionsShow Notes : 00:00 Introduction to Shuma and global trade show experience06:00 Why trade shows still matter in Japan09:53 Best industries for trade shows12:29 Common mistakes foreign companies make19:04 What makes a booth stand out20:30 Who actually attends trade shows in Japan28:22 Why follow-up is critical for conversionLinks from Guest Appearance:Shuma Goko : Founder and Producer at OUTBOUND K.K.🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shuma-goko-08152732/ 📩 Want more insights?Subscribe to our newsletter for Japan business resources and upcoming event invites:💌 https://scalingyourcompany.com/blog/#newsletter🎤 Scaling Japan PodcastGrow your business in Japan with Tyson Batino📱 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & more🌐⁠⁠ https://scalingyourcompany.com/podcast/⁠⁠

Most foreign SaaS companies struggle to land even a handful of enterprise clients in Japan.Shay Khosrowshahi helped scale Ulife to 50+ B2B customers in just 18 months, largely through strategic partnerships.In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we break down how he did it.Shay is the co-founder of NXL and former Managing Director of Ulife APAC. After a 100M investment, he was sent to Japan to launch and scale the business in one of the most credibility-driven markets in the world.We explore what partnerships really mean in Japan, how to align incentives with distribution partners, and why most founders underestimate the level of commitment required to succeed here.Shay shares tactical insights on discovery calls, partner qualification, internal champions, cultural misalignment, and how to create momentum that compounds over time.If you are a SaaS founder, CRO, or GTM leader entering Japan, this episode offers a practical partnership blueprint grounded in real execution.In This Episode, We Cover:What a partnership actually means in the Japanese marketDistribution partners vs strategic alliancesWhy hunger and ambition matter more than brand sizeThe 70/30 discovery framework for qualifying partnersHow to forecast revenue impact to align incentivesManaging harmony culture while still driving urgencyWhy early wins create long-term momentumWhen to double down or exit a partnershipWhy getting direct customers first gives you leverageGuest Appearance:🔗 Shay Khosrowshahi LinkedIn🌐 NXL : www.yournextlevel.ioShow Notes : 00:01 Introduction to Shay and his Japan scaling journey02:09 Defining partnerships in the Japan context03:11 Types of partnerships that worked06:39 How to vet partners and why hunger matters10:47 The 70/30 discovery call framework17:21 Training partners and building internal champions29:20 Cultural hurdles and harmony-driven challenges38:21 Measuring partnership health beyond revenue45:32 Final advice on commitment in Japan46:31 Why direct traction strengthens partnership leverage📩 Want more insights?Subscribe to our newsletter for Japan business resources and upcoming event invites:💌 https://scalingyourcompany.com/blog/#newsletter🎤 Scaling Japan PodcastGrow your business in Japan with Tyson Batino📱 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & more🌐⁠ https://scalingyourcompany.com/podcast/⁠

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we explore the world of copywriting in Japan, a critical but often misunderstood part of doing business in the Japanese market.We’re joined by Yuji Kobayashi, CEO of Kakusha and lead Japanese copywriter for Scaling Your Company, and Asama Toyozawa, CMO of AI Market with past experience at global firms like Spotify and Taboola.Together, we unpack why trust-based messaging, tone, and phrasing are essential for success in Japan and how Western-style copywriting can fall flat if not localized properly.From dissecting campaigns by brands like Nike Japan to understanding how language and psychology influence consumer behavior, this episode offers practical tips and cultural insights for businesses targeting Japanese customers.Whether you're a founder, marketer, or localization professional, this is a must-listen episode for creating Japanese copy that converts.🎧 Listen to learn:Why direct copy fails in Japan and what to do insteadHow Japanese consumers read trust (and spot inauthenticity)Cultural reasons behind soft, inviting phrasing in Japanese marketingThe difference between writing for LINE, Instagram, and websitesExamples of both good and bad Japanese copy (and why they work or don’t)When to use polite vs casual language across platformsWhy buzzwords rarely work in Japanese copywritingHow font and character choice can make or break trustGuest Appearance:🔗 Yuji Kobayashi on LinkedIn🔗 Asama Toyozawa on LinkedIn🔗 Asama’s AI Market WebsiteShow Notes:00:00 - Introduction & Guest Backgrounds03:36 - Why Copywriting is Critical in Japan05:37 - Good Copywriting Examples08:00 - Building Trust for Small Businesses10:40 - Second-Hand Bookstore Case Study12:43 - AI Market's Copywriting Journey17:10 - Font Mistakes & Trust Issues18:37 - Japanese vs Western Copywriting Differences20:00 - Making Copy More Welcoming22:41 - Formality Levels Across Platforms24:05 - Expressing Results Differently26:06 - Translation & Localization Challenges27:58 - Buzzwords of the Year32:00 - Why Not to Use Buzzwords in Marketing36:05 - Platform-Specific Copywriting Strategies39:05 - Instagram Text Layout & Eye Scanning41:07 - Video vs Static Performance43:06 - Closing Thoughts📩 Want more insights?Subscribe to our newsletter for Japan business resources and upcoming event invites:💌 https://scalingyourcompany.com/blog/#newsletter🎤 Scaling Japan PodcastGrow your business in Japan with Tyson Batino📱 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & more🌐 https://scalingyourcompany.com/podcast/

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we’re joined by Anna Skrypka, a cultural AI strategist, creative director, and founder of Anna Skrypka Studio. Anna is also the creator of the Augmented Human Method, a framework that unifies cultural intelligence and AI-powered go-to-market (GTM) strategy.With over 15 years of experience in global tech and nearly a decade in Japan, Anna has helped scale SaaS and creative tech businesses for companies like Autodesk and Woven by Toyota. She now advises startups and corporates on how to enter and scale in Japan using culturally intelligent GTM systems.In this episode, Anna shares how most startups are failing their Japan GTM — not because of product issues, but because they ignore cultural trust signals and scale with AI in the wrong direction. If you're a founder or marketer entering Japan, this conversation will change how you think about localization, AI workflows, and market fit.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why Japan is a high-context market and how it changes buyer behaviorHow cultural intelligence improves GTM messaging and product resonanceThe 3 biggest GTM traps (Great Translation Fallacy, Silent Excellence Trap, AI Acceleration Paradox)How to use AI marketing workflows with cultural nuanceVisual and narrative localization: what most GTMs missJapan tech trends to watch in 2026Show Notes:00:00 – Introduction02:40 – Cultural Intelligence: The Missing Piece in Japan GTM Strategy06:23 – Trust Signals and Misconceptions About “Difficult” Japan12:04 – 3 Big GTM Traps Companies Fall Into20:59 – AI Workflows for Culturally Intelligent Marketing34:50 – Visual Localization and Creative AI Tools43:33 – 5 Questions to Diagnose If Your Japan GTM Will FailLinks from Guest Appearance:🔗 Anna Skrypka – Founder, Anna Skrypka Studio🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaskrypka/ 🔗 Website: https://annaskrypka.substack.com/📄 Case Study: The AI Marketing Workflow That Actually Works in Japan https://annaskrypka.substack.com/p/the-ai-marketing-workflow-that-actually?utm_source=publication-searchCoaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 with his coaching and advisory services. 📈 Visit here to learn how he can help🎤 Send in a voice message:⁠ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠

In this follow-up to Part 1, we continue our conversation with Ryosuke (Ryo) Murai, CEO and co-founder of AI Market and former CSO of Connected Robotics, where he led a ¥1.7B Series B raise.This episode is all about how to stand out as a potential co-founder, what really matters during the decision-making process, and how to build a founding team that can last, especially in the Japan startup ecosystem.Ryo shares his perspective on the co-founder "dating process," how to assess fit beyond just skills, and why 3 co-founders ended up being the right structure for their team.If you're thinking about starting a company in Japan, or advising someone who is, this is an honest and practical look at how co-founder partnerships are actually formed.What you’ll learn in this episode:What founders look for when choosing a co-founderHow to communicate your vision without overhypingWhy startup experience isn’t everything (and what matters more)The emotional and mindset fit behind great co-founder teamsWhy AI Market chose to bring on a third co-founderShow Notes:00:00 – Introduction and recap from Part 101:34 – What makes someone stand out as a co-founder04:50 – Selling your vision and framing your skills09:00 – Is track record necessary? What else matters?14:05 – Dating analogy continued: chemistry and red flags19:50 – Co-founder role clarity and team structure23:40 – Why 3 co-founders worked better than 228:12 – Final thoughts for founders entering the co-founder searchGuest:Ryosuke (Ryo) Murai – CEO & Co-founder, AI MarketLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryosukemurai/Coaching with Tyson Looking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 with his coaching and advisory services. 📈 Visit here to learn how he can help🎤 Send in a voice message:⁠ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message⁠

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we’re joined by Ryosuke (Ryo) Murai, CEO and co-founder of AI Market and former CSO of Connected Robotics, where he led a ¥1.7B Series B raise. Ryo shares what it actually takes to find a strong co-founder in Japan and opens up about how he and Tyson teamed up to start AI Market.This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation where we dive deep into co-founder decision-making, mindset alignment, storytelling, and early fundraising strategy in Japan.If you're planning to launch a startup in Japan or are in the early stages of finding a co-founder, this episode is packed with practical insights from two operators who have done it.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why Ryo decided not to launch soloWhat makes someone an attractive co-founderHow to sell your startup vision to a potential co-founderWhere to actually meet co-founders in JapanThe importance of founder-market fit and track recordWhy AI Market chose to bootstrap with angels instead of raising VCShow Notes00:00 – Introduction02:27 – Why Ryo decided to look for a co-founder04:08 – How Ryo and Tyson met and decided to team up06:52 – What makes an attractive co-founder13:58 – Selling your vision and founder-market fit27:40 – Co-founder fit is like dating30:03 – Where to find co-founders in Japan35:04 – The Benefits of Having Three Co-Founders 38:00 – External Resources: Accelerators and LinkedIn 41:40 – Why AI Market didn’t raise VC and chose angel funding45:20 – Alternative Funding Strategy with Angel Investors Stay tuned for Part 2! Links from Guest Appearance:🔗 Connect with Ryosuke (Ryo) Murai on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryosukemurai/ Coaching with TysonLooking to take your business to the next level? Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your business from $100,000 to $10,000,000 with his coaching and advisory services. 📈 Visit here to learn how he can help🎤 Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message

In this episode of the Scaling Japan Podcast, we welcome Ignacio Dávalos, Content Strategy Director at AIM B2B (a Custom Media company), and an experienced marketer who has led multi-channel B2B and B2C strategies for global brands like L’Oréal, Gengo, and Lionbridge.Ignacio breaks down how LINE Ads work in Japan, why they are so effective across multiple industries, and how the platform differs from Western advertising tools like Meta. He explains the ad formats that perform best, how targeting works using Yahoo Japan’s data, and why the LINE Official Account is essential for converting and nurturing leads.He also shares B2C and B2B case studies, full-funnel strategies, CRM integration recommendations, and the most common mistakes foreign companies make when using LINE Ads.If you’re a marketer, founder, or advertiser looking to grow in Japan, this episode gives you a tactical, platform-specific playbook for succeeding with LINE.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 can help you with:Localized storytelling to build trust in Asian marketsStrategic performance marketing (LINE Ads, LinkedIn Ads, GEO, SEO)Account-based marketing (ABM) and paid mediaHubSpot-certified CRM & marketing automationData-driven implementation with cultural expertise🔗 Learn more about AIM B2B : https://hi.switchy.io/h7TM 01:35 – Guest Introduction 03:54 – Introduction to LINE’s role in Japan 05:08 – LINE vs Meta comparison 07:20 – Ideal industries for LINE Ads 08:24 – LINE's lead-generation features 11:42 – B2C & B2B case studies 15:32 – LINE ad formats (VOOM, Smart Channel, more) 18:06 – Best video ad length 19:01 – Targeting using Yahoo Japan data 24:48 – Full-funnel strategy with LINE 27:10 – LINE Official Account features 30:42 – CRM integration via LINE API 32:50 – Common mistakes foreign companies make 35:16 – Misconceptions about LINE 35:57 – Advanced B2B funnel (LINE → LinkedIn) 38:16 – Future of LINE (AI integration & B2B growth) 41:37 – Ignacio’s upcoming GEO seminarConnect with Ignacio Davalos on LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/ignaciodavalos Link to GEO Strategy Online Webinar from AIM B2B: https://aim-b2b.com/lp/the-master-generative-engine-optimization-strategy/ Looking to take your business to the next level?Let our host Tyson Batino help you scale your company from $100,000 to $10,000,000 with personalized coaching and advisory.🎤 Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scalingjapanpodcast/message