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

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.