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Jandals in Japan®

Jandals in Japan®

Written by: Jayne Nakata & Catherine O'Connell
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The best show about New Zealanders doing business in Japan, bringing The Land of the Long White Cloud to The Land of the Rising Sun How do you build a brand in Japan and nurture a loyal customer base? What do you need to have in your tool belt if you are thinking of coming to Japan to launch a business here? Japan is often considered to be in the "too hard" basket but we are here to open up the black box of doing business in Japan. We will share stories from successful Kiwis selling their products and services here in Japan. They'll tell you their tips for success and pitfalls to avoid. They'll share their challenges and what they did to overcome them. They will tell you things you can't find in textbooks or on the internet. We will also be sharing the latest intel and insights on Japan from our on-the-ground presence And you'll hear some super business culture and other tips from us sprinkled throughout. Grab a glass of sake and let's get into it.Copyright 2026 Jayne Nakata & Catherine O'Connell Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Steve Saunders on Building Agritech Startup Robotics Plus and the Road to Acquisition by Yamaha Agriculture

    Steve Saunders on Building Agritech Startup Robotics Plus and the Road to Acquisition by Yamaha Agriculture
    Sep 6 2026
    Steve Saunders tells the full behind-the-scenes story of how Robotics Plus went from a PhD project at Massey University to a globally operating autonomous vehicle and robotic packing company, attracting investment from Yamaha Motor in 2017 and a full acquisition by Yamaha Agriculture in 2025. This is part one of a two-part series. Part two features Nolan Paul, CEO of Yamaha Agriculture.Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with JayneVisit ON Consulting for in depth articles in Japanese and EnglishIf 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 Steve Saunders went from growing up on a dairy farm in the Waikato to co-founding Robotics Plus and many other venturesWhy choosing corporate investment from Yamaha over venture capital was the critical decisionThe inside story of how Steve led investments into Robotics Plus, by Yamaha, to a full acquisition, and why building trust through consistent face-to-face contact was everything.Practical advice for Kiwi entrepreneurs going global with their startupAbout SteveSteve Saunders (Ngāti Ranginui) is a New Zealand serial entrepreneur with more than 35 years’ experience across the horticultural and food sectors, startups, and investments, having built many successful horticultural businesses. He is the co-founder of Robotics Plus – the Tauranga-based agritech company acquired by Japan’s Yamaha Motor Company in 2025 to form the foundation of Yamaha Agriculture, Inc. He is now the Senior Vice President, Business Development & Strategy at Yamaha Agriculture.Steve brings extensive leadership and investment experience, global grower connections and financial expertise. From co-founding Gro-Link to launching GroPlus and PollenPlus, he is also a founding shareholder and director of Rockit Global Limited (Rockit Apples). He was also one of the founders of Mount Pack & Cool, one of the largest and most technologically advanced kiwifruit packhouses in the Bay of Plenty. He co-founded the Newnham Park Innovation Centre, a hub for export-focused businesses in the Bay of Plenty, and served for 13 years on the board of Priority One, the economic development organisation for the Western Bay of Plenty.A long-time champion of Māori investment in agriculture and innovation, Steve has served on the Federation of Māori Authorities advisory board and was named Te Tohu Kairangi mō te Kaiārahi Pakihi / Outstanding Māori Business Leader in 2022.Steve is also a sought-after mentor, known for generously sharing his time, knowledge and networks to support others on their journey. He is a long-time supporter of the Young Innovator Awards, helping inspire and encourage the next generation of innovators and business leaders.His contribution to New Zealand’s exporting success and to developing others was recognised with the ExportNZ Bay of Plenty Export Awards Services to Exporting Award in 2025.LinksRobotics Plus: https://www.roboticsplus.co.nz/Yamaha Agriculture: https://yamaha-agriculture.com/news-media/robotics-plus-joins-yamaha-agriculture/Connect with Jayne and CatherineLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapanYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan
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    44 mins
  • Give It Some Jandal: The Business of Motor Racing in Japan with Liam Sceats

    Give It Some Jandal: The Business of Motor Racing in Japan with Liam Sceats
    Jul 26 2026
    Liam Sceats is 20 years old, a New Zealand Grand Prix champion, and a racing driver who describes himself first as a startup founder. In this episode, Liam shares candid stories about his visits to Japan to race, giving insights to the motor racing world in Japan which is becoming an increasingly popular destination for racers. Jayne and Catherine also weigh in with some of their best advice and the reminder that arriving in Japan means leaving your ego behind, no matter how well known you are at home.Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with JayneVisit ON Consulting for in depth articles in Japanese and EnglishIf 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:Why Liam Sceats approaches his racing career like a startup founderHow Liam built one of the strongest relationships of his racing career with a Japanese engineer who didn’t speak EnglishPractical tips for Kiwis building business relationships remotely in JapanWhy international drivers are increasingly focusing on Japan for long-term professional racing careers.About LiamLiam Sceats is a 20 year old Kiwi racing driver and New Zealand Grand Prix Champion. Competing in the Lamborghini Asia series, Liam raced at Fuji Speedway in Japan and scored two podium finishes in 2026.Off the race track, Liam is building a business around his racing career. With a focus on fundraising, partnerships, brand building, and premium corporate hospitality experiences, he is taking a business-first approach to progressing in one of the world’s most brutal sporting environments, being the world of Motorsport.As a young Kiwi chasing opportunities across Asia, Liam is passionate about building genuine long-term relationships in Japan and the wider region.Connect with LiamLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-sceats-86276021a/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liamsceatsmotorsportInstagram: http://instagram.com/liamsceatsWebsite: https://liamsceats.com/Connect with Jayne and CatherineLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapanYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan
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    52 mins
  • Peri Drysdale Shares Untouched World’s Japan Market Entry Story

    Peri Drysdale Shares Untouched World’s Japan Market Entry Story
    May 17 2026

    Peri Drysdale is Founder of the internationally renowned sustainable fashion brand Untouched World. From growing up on a sheep farm in the Rakaia Gorge to becoming a registered nurse, and then launching a global wool business with just $200 in the bank, Peri's journey is nothing short of remarkable. Discover how she broke into Japan's notoriously difficult department store market, the power of persistence, and why being a foreign woman in Japanese business turned from a double negative into a surprising advantage.

    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 Peri started a global wool business with $200 in the bank
    • The jaw-dropping story of how Peri got her products into prestigious Japanese retailers
    • The "two minuses make a plus" philosophy
    • Peri’s Essential lessons for doing business in Japan

    About Peri

    Peri was born in Christchurch with a first career as a nurse before starting a small home-based knitwear business while raising her young family.

    Over the decades, that cottage industry evolved into the internationally recognised brand Untouched World, known for its innovative natural fibres and commitment to environmentally responsible fashion.

    The company exports globally including Japan and has earned international recognition for its leadership in sustainability.

    Alongside building her business, Peri founded the Untouched World Foundation,and her contributions to business, exports, and sustainability have been widely recognised, including induction into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame and numerous national awards.

    Links

    Untouched World: https://www.untouchedworld.com/en-int

    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/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan
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    1 hr and 1 min
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