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Artwork for Disrupting Japan

Disrupting Japan

Tim Romero
Japan
Venture Capital
Startups
Generative AI
Innovation
Entrepreneurship
Hydrogen
Collaboration
Integral AI
Green Energy Transition
Women In VC
Foreign Founders
Silicon Valley
Music Industry
Creative Arts
Shizen Capital
Electrification Of Transport
Decarbonization
Corporate Venture Capital
Kaminashi

Disrupting Japan gives you candid, in-depth insights from the startup founders, VCs, and leaders who are reshaping Japan.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes256Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsTech NewsBusinessEntrepreneurship

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Artwork for Disrupting Japan

Latest Episodes

Japan market entry is hard. Consumer tastes are different, business culture is different, and market needs can be radically different from those anywhere else. Entering the Japanese market is a challenge for even the strongest and best positioned bra... more

YouTube

Japan has one of the longest lived and healthiest populations in the world, and let Japanese startups are playing a relatively small role in the recent longevity-tech boom. The longevity market includes everything from health-tech wearables, to foods... more

YouTube

In the popular imagination, Japan is almost synonymous with robots. While Japan once dominated cutting-edge robotics, over the past decade she has fallen further and further behind the US and China. Today we sit down with Chiamin Lai of Firstlight Ca... more

YouTube

Japanese startups is hot right now, and more and more foreign money is flowing in. But many Japanese VCs remain stubbornly outward-looking. Today we sit down with Shri Dodani, who after a series of highly successful American startups, decided that Ja... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Ernie Higa
Pioneer of Western fast food brands in Japan, known for bringing Domino's Pizza and Wendy's to the country.
First Kitchen and Wendy's Japan
Episode: What everyone gets wrong about branding in Japan
Bilal Kharouni
CEO of Ekei Labs, focusing on longevity testing and support services.
Ekei Labs
Episode: What role can startups really play in human longevity?
Chiamin Lai
General partner at Firstlight Capital and director at Japan Venture Capital Association
Firstlight Capital
Episode: Will Japan ever regain its lead in robotics?
Shri Ddani
A successful American founder with multiple exits totaling over $1.5 billion, now focusing on Japanese startups as a venture capitalist.
Global Hands-On VC
Episode: Why so many Japanese VCs won’t invest in Japan
Taro Sasaki
Founder of Hacobu, a startup focusing on digital transformation in logistics
Hacobu
Episode: Can startups save Japan’s logistics industry?
Kaz Kishida
Co-founder and CEO of Dioseve, a biotech company focused on improving human fertility through innovative technology using stem cells.
Dioseve
Episode: Japanese technology to supercharge human fertility
Sandeep Casi
General partner at Antler Japan
Antler Japan
Episode: Foreign founders are changing how Japanese start startups
Sophie Meralli
Partner at Shizen Capital and co-founder of Tokyo Women in VC
Shizen Capital
Episode: What it’s really like to be a female VC in Japan
Dai Watanabe
Co-founder and managing partner of Delight Ventures
Delight Ventures
Episode: Startup success hinges on enterprise innovation

Host

Tim Romero
Host of the podcast, Tim Romero provides insights into the Japanese startup ecosystem with over three decades of experience in Japan, supporting startups and working with larger corporations.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 232 ratings
  • A Wonderful Introduction to Japanese Business Culture

    Living in Japan for almost 5 years, Tim Romero’s insights to the Japanese startup has been extremely educational. However, what I enjoy the most are guests’ answers to Tim’s nuanced questions. These responses pull the curtain back on Japanese business culture. Rather than mere anecdotes, listeners will quickly recognize behavior patterns and ‘tru-isms’ that will help practitioners better understand Japanese views on risk, talent management, recruiting, investment, etc.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Juan Doh!
    United States3 months ago
  • AI?

    With OpenAI in the news once again for being at the heart of another child suicide and considering the myriad of other problems associated with the technology, it's tone deaf to record an episode dedicated to AI startups - not to mention off topic. This isn't what I come to a Japan podcast for.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    anotherunnecessaryopinion
    United States5 months ago
  • Great podcast

    Very interesting view into the Japanese business world

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Debuggernaut
    Japan2 years ago
  • Maybe the only podcast on these topics?

    I have listened to this podcast when I lived in Japan (2017-2020), and today I started to listen new chapters too. The quality hasn’t changed a bit. Keep them coming and good luck!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Naniwagirljin
    New Zealand2 years ago
  • Invaluable Insight for Entrepreneurs in Japan

    I first started listening to the Disrupting Japan podcasts back in 2015 when I was at a loss on how to understand Japan. I came from Canada with the naive assumption that I could duplicate my successful business model here in Japan. Wow was I wrong.

    With no word of a lie, I binge listened to every Episode. It rapidly became my go to podcast whenever I wanted to better understand the mindset of the Japanese Entrepreneur or any entrepreneur in Japan. I love how Tim interviews his guests and posi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Danpape.org
    Japan3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the in-depth insights into Japan's startup ecosystem and often describe the host as knowledgeable and engaging.
Many reviews highlight the podcast's unique focus on the nuances of Japanese business culture, providing practical advice for potential entrepreneurs.
Some criticisms include topics perceived as irrelevant to the core focus of the podcast, but overall feedback tends to be overwhelmingly positive.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What everyone gets wrong about branding in Japan
Q: How did you manage the localization strategy for Wendy's to ensure it succeeded where it failed twice before?
By combining Wendy's with the existing local chain First Kitchen and adapting the menu and store designs to better fit Japanese consumers.
What everyone gets wrong about branding in Japan
Q: How do you know what to localize and when to stay true to the brand?
It's about maintaining the successful core of the brand while adapting the product and marketing to fit local preferences.
What everyone gets wrong about branding in Japan
Q: What advice do you have for foreign founders and aspiring founders here in Japan today?
Learning the language and adapting to the local culture is crucial for success as an entrepreneur in Japan.
What role can startups really play in human longevity?
Q: What challenges do you face as a foreign founder in Japan?
You remain an immigrant, facing different regulatory challenges and navigate cultural differences to build trust.
What role can startups really play in human longevity?
Q: What are some of the most important things that people need to understand when moving to Japan to start a startup?
Things can take longer time than in other geographies, as building trust is essential in Japanese culture.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Disrupting Japan

What is Disrupting Japan about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the evolving landscape of Japan's startup ecosystem, this podcast features intimate conversations with founders, venture capitalists, and industry leaders who are at the forefront of innovation in Japan. It addresses a variety of topics, including branding in local markets, the challenges faced by Japanese startups, advancements in technology such as AI and biotechnology, and the cultural nuances that influence business practices. The discussions often explore the unique needs of entrepreneurs and the support mechanisms in place to drive innovation and growth within Japan's diverse sectors.

Listeners can expect to gain valuable insights into the intricacies of starting and running a business in Japan, as well as the broader impl... more

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How many listeners does Disrupting Japan get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Disrupting Japan?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Disrupting Japan:

1. バイリンガルニュース (Bilingual News)
2. English News - NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN
3. Global News Podcast
4. Bloomberg Tech
5. TED Talks Daily

How many episodes of Disrupting Japan are there?

Disrupting Japan launched 11 years ago and published 256 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Disrupting Japan?

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What guests have appeared on Disrupting Japan?

Recent guests on Disrupting Japan include:

1. Ernie Higa
2. Bilal Kharouni
3. Chiamin Lai
4. Shri Ddani
5. Taro Sasaki
6. Kaz Kishida
7. Sandeep Casi
8. Sophie Meralli

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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