JALT Business Communication

5 Problems and Solutions: How to Improve Meeting Outcomes between Japanese

businesses and Silicon Valley startups

Naotake Murayama

JALT Business Communication Journal, Vol..2, Issue 1, November 2024, Pages 83-89

Abstract

This presentation, “5 Problems and Solutions: How to Improve Meeting Outcomes Between Japanese Businesses and Silicon Valley Startups,” by Naotake Murayama, examines common obstacles in cross-cultural business meetings. Drawing from personal experience in U.S.-Japan business interactions, Murayama identifies five primary issues in meetings held between Japanese companies and U.S. startups: a lack of preparedness by Japanese companies, ceremonial agendas lacking actionable goals, insufficient authority among visiting personnel, limited follow-through, and a reluctance to engage in dialogue. Murayama suggests practical solutions, including proactive communication, empowering representatives, and fostering open dialogue to create productive and goal-oriented exchanges. This work highlights the challenges and potential strategies for improving Japanese-American business collaborations.

Naotake Murayama, a Japanese startup entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. He grew up in Japan, graduated from Keio University and worked at a Japanese bank before enrolling in the Stanford University Graduate School of Business's MBA program. Since graduating, he has worked in the San Francisco Bay Area, first as a management consultant and then as a startup CEO. He was the de facto COO/CFO of a Palo Alto, CA-based biomedical business formed by Stanford University professors. He is presently working with entrepreneurs from all over the world who want to launch businesses in Silicon Valley, as well as sitting on the board of a B2B SaaS venture. He resides in San Francisco and is fluent in English and Japanese. Please see the following for further details on his background: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naotakem/