The challenges of managing local and regional stakeholders in Japan with Jonathan Cant, Executive Consultant

In this episode, David Sweet speaks with fellow FocusCore Japan colleague, Jonathan Cant about the differences between local and regional stakeholders. Jonathan is an Englishman who has made Japan his home first as an English teacher, then by building a career in training and management at Z-kai Inc, and now as the Executive Search Consultant for Finance and Accounting at FocusCore Japan. He shares his experience and insights about local and regional stakeholders and what Executives need to know about Japanese culture to succeed in Japan. In this episode you will hear:Why empathy is key to leading effectivelyMyths about recruiters Debunking myths about Japanese work cultureChanging work culture in Japan - is it the end of nomikai?Understanding Japanese HQs - why this should always be a priority!The current state of the talent market and where to nextAnd we debate the important question - when will the fax machine become obsolete in Japan? Jonathan Cant Bio:A leading member of the FocusCore team, Jonathan is a UK native who has been in Japan for just under 19 years. With around 15 years of leadership experience, he brings maturity and just the right amount of grey hair to the team. A father of two young boys, he spends most of his free time in the park or playing with Lego. He is also a fan of Newcastle United FC and enjoys photography and cooking.Connect with Jonathan:Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/consultants/jonathan-cant?source=google.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathancant/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonathancant?lang=en-GB Links of things mentioned in this episode:Managing Local and Regional Stakeholders: Challenges for CFOs By Jonathan Cant Jonathan’s Podcast RecommendationsThe Adam Buxton PodcastThe High Performance PodcastConnect with David Sweet:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasiaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/ Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/ Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.Mentioned in this episode:Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan. 2025 Salary Guide