Michael Keferl first came to Japan in 2004. Soon after arrival he met Sven Kilian-Nakamura, CEO of CScout Japan, where he is now Managing Director.

In this interview Michael gives us a brief introduction to CScout, a trend analysis company with offices in Japan, the USA, Germany and China, and trend scouts in many more locations worldwide.

He goes on to describe CScout’s Trend Tours, in which representatives from companies seeking to do business in Japan are provided with an insight into relevant industries, and connected with key counterparts.

Talk then turns to the image of ‘weird and wacky’ Japan, where bizarre products such as Puchi Puchi – endless bubble wrap – can become big hits (see the article on the Japan Trends blog).

Michael is also Marketing Director for Octotrade, an export company for whom CScout provides market analysis. Michael tells us about one of their more unusual line of products – endoscopes that allow you to see inside your ears when cleaning them out.

Moving on, Michael talks about the challenges and advantages of doing business as a non-Japanese person in Japan.

In the final section of the interview we look at current projects at CScout. In January 2010 a report is being released on eco-trends in Japan. Michael sums up the situation: rather than dealing with environmental problems by encouraging restraints on consumption, consumption is actually promoted and used to bring about a more sustainable society.

The music used throughout most of this podcast is ‘Umeboshi Mix’ by Tokyo’s very talented Alex Brooke.

How to Listen

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:04 — 16.6MB)

No Comments | In: Broadcast Media, Internet, marketing | tags: analysis, audio, consumer, consumption, cscout, cscout japan, eco, ecology, environment, interview, japan, japanese, makingitinjapan, marketing, michael keferl, podcast, report, tokyo, trend, trend tour. | #

Part 1: Acting and Modeling in Japan

In Part 1 of my conversation with Tokyo-based media producer, actor and model Jeffrey Rowe of Jet Set Inc Jeffrey talks about his work in acting and modeling in Japan.

Download part 1 here (or listen using the player at the bottom of this post)

Hear about

• What is Jet Set Inc?
• How Jeffrey first got into acting
• The different roles Jeffrey has taken on in Japan
• Working in TV in Japan
• Why professional bilingual actors are needed
• Modeling in Japan: Why is Jeffrey known as ‘Mr. Stingray Man’? and why might you end up with a famous chin?
• Advice for actors looking for work in Japan

Part 2: Learning Japanese

In Part 2 of our conversation, we’re talking languages – specifically learning Japanese.

Download part 2 here

• Jeffrey introduces his idea for a language discussion program – what do you think?
• The tables are turned and Jeffrey asks me what I found useful when I was studying the Japanese language.
• I talk about how my assumption that I would simply ‘aquire’ Japanese language skills by living in Japan was wrong, and emphasise how important active study is.
• The importance of learning the written language, and how easy it can be – at least for the Hiragana and Katakana!
• Jeffrey shares how talking to strangers can be a good thing – for everyone involved!
• Joseph shares his story of travelling 9000 miles with an ice-breaking penguin.

Our thanks to Jeffrey for making the time to meet up to record this interview.

Check out Jet Set Inc at http://www.jetsets.jp/

Visit Jeffrey’s blog at http://jeff.jetsets.jp/

Follow Jeffrey on Twitter

Subscribe and listen in iTunes / on your iPhone /iPod

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:36 — 11.5MB)

1 Comment | In: Broadcast Media, Business Owners, Language | tags: acting, actor, business owner, education, entrepreneur, japan, japanese, jeffrey rowe, jetsetinc, Language, makingitinjapan, media, modeling, pokya, producer, tokyo. | #