The 7th Get Ready For Japan (GRFJ) programme was organized by the EU-Japan Centre on 17-21 June for the online session and 8-12 July 2024 for the onsite session in Tokyo. In total, 17 SMEs from 10 EU member states benefitted from this June-July summer session.
The 2-week Get Ready for Japan scheme offers EU managers the unique opportunity to experience and understand both the cultural and economic elements that define Japan's business achievements. The programme provides EU businesspersons with professional Japan-related expertise. It is focused on business management and consists of a combination of lectures, case studies, role plays and company visits. This is designed to help participants become thoroughly informed about the actual conditions of Japanese business through practical analysis and research. 

During the programme, EU-Japan Centre organized 9 lectures on Japanese culture, economy and marketing in Japan, 1 company visit, 2 joint seminars on “cross-cultural communication and international business management and negotiation for international business operations” and a marketing discovery. The most important part is that within the frame of the mission, participants could also benefit from individual in-person company meetings with potential Japanese partners.

The second training of this year, GRFJ 8th, will be held in October and November. If you wish to be kept informed about the 2025 training, contact: Follow-up_CSM@eu-japan.eu

Participant feedback 

This enthralling collection of testimonials showcases the impact that the Get Ready for Japan programme had on participants. Through their testimonials, participants reveal the profound shifts in perspectives that took place as they navigated the Japanese business landscape. Assimilating invaluable lessons on adaptability, respect, and harmonious collaboration, they witnessed the efficacy of the art of Japanese business etiquette in establishing enduring connections and effective communication strategies.

“The training course provided me with a profound understanding of Japanese business relationship building, which proved invaluable during our company meetings. It offered practical insights into the cultural nuances and communication styles essential for fostering strong business connections in Japan. A significant added value was the opportunity for individual business meetings, allowing us to engage directly with companies of interest. I highly recommend this training to anyone with ambitions in the Japanese market. It equips participants with essential skills and direct networking opportunities, making it a great resource for achieving business goals in Japan.”

By Guna Rubene, Head of Business Development, Talava SIA

“Attending the “Get Ready for Japan” programme was an invaluable experience for our company. The training provided deep insights into Japanese business culture, market expectations, and strategies for successful market entry. One of the most significant learnings was understanding the importance of building strong, trust-based relationships with Japanese partners, which is crucial for long-term success. We also gained practical knowledge on optimizing our supply chain to accommodate Japan's hot and humid summer climate, ensuring our products maintain their quality. Moving forward, we plan to implement these insights by refining our storage conditions and strengthening our partnership strategies. For future participants, we recommend focusing on cultural nuances and logistical planning to effectively meet the high standards of the Japanese market. The knowledge and connections gained from this programme will undoubtedly help us grow and succeed in Japan and beyond.”

By Grzegorz Sienkiewicz, CEO, 4szpaki sp. z o.o. sp. K

“The training gave me an opportunity to better understand the dynamics of business relations in Japan and showcased many useful perspectives. The assistance provided by the Centre to put me in touch with relevant parties was very welcome and created new business opportunities.”

By Jalal Vakili, CEO, Ovizio SA

Published: October 2024