2 ms·

I really would like to see an analysis of Japanese companies expanding into overseas markets through acquisitions or mergers. Are there any standout successes?

I really would like to see an analysis of Japanese companies expanding into overseas markets through acquisitions or mergers. Are there any standout successes? What factors limit Japanese companies when they expand in this way?

fakedang 3y ago
In my very qualitative experience working in and with Japanese companies, what is usually the case is that most such acquisitions tend to stagnate. A big reason for that is the highly disciplined and exacting culture in Japan, which they find hard to export over into other countries' cultures. Moreover, the Japanese executives who are brought in to set things up (and whose responsibility it is to create said culture), mostly mull about going back to HQ instead of doing their jobs. This is especially the case for situations where relocations are hard for their families. On the other hand, some of the best results often came when HQ was represented by someone much more wizened and experienced, almost retirement age. Almost all such folks I've met were exceptionally sharp and brilliant, and didn't have any obligations like family or HQ. Those guys didn't really give a shit and just gave the task their best shot, in very Japanese fashion.
larrysalibra 3y ago
7-Eleven seems to be doing well since it was acquired in 2005 by Japanese company Seven & I Holdings.
- HWR_14 3y ago
  Wasn't that just an inversion of ownership though? Wasn't Seven & I the Japanese owner of 7-Eleven brand?
fomine3 3y ago
I quickly looked top 100 listed companies. What I can easily found is Firestone by Bridgestone. CBS/Columbia/BMG by Sony has been the way to expand their business for entertainment (then gaming). Moreover, maybe Daikin NA acquisition worked well. Beam by Suntory (non-listed) seems to fine. There's very few than I expected.

2 ms·

I really would like to see an analysis of Japanese companies expanding into overseas markets through acquisitions or mergers. Are there any standout successes?

by ilamont 3y ago

fakedang 3y ago
In my very qualitative experience working in and with Japanese companies, what is usually the case is that most such acquisitions tend to stagnate. A big reason for that is the highly disciplined and exacting culture in Japan, which they find hard to export over into other countries' cultures. Moreover, the Japanese executives who are brought in to set things up (and whose responsibility it is to create said culture), mostly mull about going back to HQ instead of doing their jobs. This is especially the case for situations where relocations are hard for their families. On the other hand, some of the best results often came when HQ was represented by someone much more wizened and experienced, almost retirement age. Almost all such folks I've met were exceptionally sharp and brilliant, and didn't have any obligations like family or HQ. Those guys didn't really give a shit and just gave the task their best shot, in very Japanese fashion.
larrysalibra 3y ago
7-Eleven seems to be doing well since it was acquired in 2005 by Japanese company Seven & I Holdings.
- HWR_14 3y ago
  Wasn't that just an inversion of ownership though? Wasn't Seven & I the Japanese owner of 7-Eleven brand?
fomine3 3y ago
I quickly looked top 100 listed companies. What I can easily found is Firestone by Bridgestone. CBS/Columbia/BMG by Sony has been the way to expand their business for entertainment (then gaming). Moreover, maybe Daikin NA acquisition worked well. Beam by Suntory (non-listed) seems to fine. There's very few than I expected.