Join us for an insightful conversation with Charles Wilson, who leads Tatua Japan's operations as both President and Representative Director in one of New Zealand's most important export markets. From his childhood introduction to Japan through the Japanese supplemental education calculation & maths program “Kumon mathematics” to becoming president of a dairy ingredients company, Charles shares his unique journey and valuable insights about building successful business relationships in Japan. You will enjoy this story of how an SME like Tatua Japan can partner with Japanese companies for mutually beneficial outcomes.

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If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you will hear:

• Why arriving 5-10 minutes early for meetings is essential for building trust and success in Japanese business culture
• How Japan's "ringi-sho" consensus-building process really works with pre-meetings and side discussions before official approvals
• About the "proteinisation" trend driving demand for protein-enhanced products among Japan's aging population
• Charles' unexpected summer survival tip - escaping to Tama's cool river waters and Japanese workplace "cool down rooms"

About Charles

Charles Wilson has been at the helm of Tatua Japan since 2023, as both President and Representative Director. This role has enabled him to live his passion for strengthening trade and business ties between Japan and New Zealand.

He leads a growing team, oversees key customer relationships, drives strategic initiatives, and manages the company’s day-to-day operations.

His interest in the agricultural and dairy industries originates from his upbringing on an avocado orchard in the sunny Bay of Plenty and his experience spending summer holidays milking cows. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, and a Bachelor of Business in Finance from Massey University.

Prior to joining Tatua, Charles spent nearly a decade with ITOCHU Corporation—one of Japan’s largest general trading companies—working in both Tokyo and Sydney. At ITOCHU, he developed infrastructure investment strategies and managed a portfolio of global infrastructure assets.

The blend of Charles’ Kiwi upbringing and his adaptation to Japanese culture has deepened his appreciation for the vital harmony between people, nature, and enterprise—a balance that lies at the heart of agriculture and fuels his passion for the field.

Links

Tatua Japan: https://jp.tatua.com/

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

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What does it take to succeed in Japan's notoriously difficult beauty market? Elizabeth Barbalich, founder and Director of iconic New Zealand skincare brand Antipodes, shares her fascinating 7-year journey of patience, persistence, and cultural learning that led to success in one of the world's most discerning markets.

From developing seven products over two years in her quest for natural wellness, to navigating the complex world of Japanese retail partnerships and formal business etiquette, Elizabeth reveals why Japan isn't just about revenue -it's about building brand equity that opens doors globally. Discover the surprising cultural differences (like why Japanese women condition their hair nightly!), the power of retail staff relationships over influencer marketing, and why being seen on Japanese shelves makes international buyers take notice.

Whether you are considering Japan as a market, or simply love hearing about entrepreneurial grit, this episode is packed with actionable insights about building authentic brand trust in a market where customers read every ingredient and expect perfection.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Elizabeth overcame the challenge of minimal sales with three different distributors for the first three years in Japan

• The six-hour "etiquette meeting" required to switch distributors and what it taught her about Japanese business culture

• How she created a vitamin C toner specifically for Japanese consumers (and why it became a hit in other markets too)

• Why she values formal business meetings and trains her entire team on proper etiquette for every market

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth Barbalich is the founder and CEO of the iconic New Zealand skincare brand Antipodes which she founded over 20 years ago in 2004.

Elizabeth grew up on the Mainland amidst the Canterbury Plains, undertook a science degree in biology from the University of Canterbury, then embarked on an MBA from the University of Auckland. She won a highly competitive position with a United States medical technology corporation and spent 8 years training surgeons and registrars in the use of their cutting-edge equipment.

Antipodes skincare products are made of pure bioactive ingredients from New Zealand’s nature. To launch the sustainable beauty brand, she drew on her background in science. Today Antipodes is available in Japan and many other countries.

Links

Antipodes: https://jp.antipodesnature.com/

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

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We cross swords/minds with Graham Sayer, a 7th dan Kyoshi kendo practitioner, former president of the New Zealand Kendo Federation and recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun.

Graham has been a huge supporter of Jandals in Japan Podcast from its early days and we are thrilled that he agreed to join us to share his wealth of experience in both kendo and business between Japan and New Zealand. Listen to hear more about this fascinating martial art that changed the trajectory of Graham’s life.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• What Japan was like in the bubble era of the late 70s and early 80s
• Loyalty and the challenge of switching martial arts codes in Japan
• How learnings from kendo can take you into the business world
• Japan’s timber industry and why Graham is selling timber to New Zealand

About Graham

Graham Sayer: Kiwi spirit, global horizons

Graham grew up in Taranaki and in 1978, at 20 years of age, headed to Japan to chase his dream of getting a black belt in judo. A knee injury rerouted him to kendo which then became a lifelong passion, sparking a career blending entrepreneurship and cultural exchange. Graham founded a trading venture as well as running a private English school for children in Kyoto before returning to NZ in 1985 to raise his family.

Graham has been involved in many different businesses over the years including, importing wooden toys (into Japan) and cultured pearls (into NZ). He also ran a joint venture with a Japanese company, building a small chain of four photo/camera stores in Auckland as well as launching Escapepods motorhomes, and lastly, was a manufacturer and distributor of rota-moulded fishing kayaks in Japan.

Graham now focuses on Japanese timber exports and supporting his wife’s kendo travel business.

Graham was Kendo President, NZ Kendo Federation for 33 years as well as Auditor for the International Kendo Federation (present). He co-founded the Auckland Kendo club in 1988 which today is NZ’s largest Kendo club. In 2022, he was awarded Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun for services to cultural ties between Japan and New Zealand via the art of Kendo.

Today, he spends his time between Japan and NZ - embracing simplicity, tradition, and new ventures.

Connect with Graham

Kendo: https://akc.org.nz/

Kendo Tours: www.kendotours.com

Timber: www.japaneselumber.com

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch