The latest Focus Core Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

Welcome to the latest episode of the FocusCore podcast. In this episode we are talking about the field of Genomics and how the applied genomics technology company, Illumina is pushing the boundaries of genomic biotechnology for research and in applied medicine. Our guest is General Manager and Representative Director of Illumina KK, Arjuna Kumarasuriyar. Arjuna has commercial experience in sales, marketing, channel management and commercial operations, as well as an academic background in biotechnology and molecular biology. In the episode we dive deep into what genomics is and how it is evolving, as well as hearing some of Arjuna’s insights into Japan’s unique business landscape.

In this episode you will hear:

• What the term genomics means and how it differs from genetics
• What made Arjuna change his study from medicine to biotechnology
• About Illumina’s work in biotechnology
• How the technology Illumina is developing is fundamentally changing healthcare around the world
• What Arjuna has learnt about doing business in Japan
• How AI technology might impact genomics

About Arjuna Kumarasuriyar:

Arjuna Kumarasuriyar has Commercial experience in sales, marketing, channel management and Commercial Operations in the life sciences sector. The majority of Arjuna’s career has been in genomics with Illumina covering business across the Asia Pacific region. The first eight years of his career at Illumina were in sales, marketing and sales management roles. The next eight years he established and grew a commercial operations function to support the rapidly expanding commercial team in Asia through analytics, processes, technology, training and back office functions.

Arjuna has been General Manager and Representative Director of Illumina KK since January 2023. He is passionate about finding ways for teams to perform at their best whether it is shaping organizational structures and culture or getting into the operational enablement to enable efficient and effective customer value creation.

Arjuna has a Bachelors in Biotechnology and a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Queensland, Australia. He joined Illumina in 2007 after working in R&D, quality assurance, and technology transfer roles for several biotech companies and government agencies in Singapore and Australia.

Connect with Arjuna Kumarasuriyar:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunakumarasuriyar/

X: https://x.com/ArjunaK

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

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

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

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and...

The latest Focus Core Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

Welcome back to the FocusCore podcast. In this episode we are talking to a titan of the food industry in Japan, Paul Kraft. In his over twenty years experience, Paul has launched and led multiple brands to succeed in the Japanese market. He is now the Founder and President of JapanIQ, a company that specializes in helping companies avoid missteps and drive growth in the unique Japanese business landscape. In this episode we discuss the Japanese retail food market, what works, what doesn’t, and future trends we can expect to see unfold in the coming years.

In this episode you will hear:

• About challenges Paul faced when he first started working in Japan
• How the Japanese grocery market differs from other countries
• How Paul, and JapanIQ, has helped foreign companies avoid common pitfalls of doing business in Japan
• The leadership qualities Paul looks for when hiring in Japan
• Insights into Japanese consumer behavior now and in the future

About Paul Kraft:

Paul Kraft helps medium-sized foreign firms expand and optimize their footprints in the perplexing Japanese market. With over 20 years in the trenches navigating Japan Inc., Paul knows what lasts, what languishes, when to pivot, and when to start from scratch.

Paul took HARIBO gummi bears from #8 to #1 in 4 years, led Starbucks’ CPG entry into the Japanese mass market and department stores – including #1 at CVS. He launched the HoneyBaked Ham restaurant chain in their first-ever international market and grew Nestle Nespresso’s Japanese foodservice business by 20+%.

Paul specializes in Route-to-Market Analysis, Partner Identification, Hiring (and Firing), Empowering the Local Team to Speak Up, Value Chain Analysis, Strategic Planning, Translating Brands to the Japanese Market, Forecasting, Market Research, Marketing Communication, Japan Crisis Management, Live TV Interviews, Thought Leadership, Meeting Retailers, Launching New Products, Quality Control Checks, Factory Audits, and Market Audits.

Connect with Paul Kraft:

Website: https://www.japaniq.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kraftpaul

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@JapanIQ

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

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

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

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

The latest Focus Core Salary Guide is here: 2025 Salary Guide

On the latest episode of the FocusCore podcast, host David Sweet discusses the current Media and Marketing landscape in Japan with John Flanagan, President and Managing Director of A+E Networks Japan and SE Asia. John has 30 plus years experience in the Media industry in Japan and has seen it evolve, including the rise of streaming services and the current advances in AI technologies. John also has extensive marketing experience and has some great advice for foreign business leaders looking to effectively market to Japanese audiences.

In this episode you will hear:

• About the unique marketing landscape in Japan
• The importance of understanding your target market
• How the media industry is currently evolving
• The importance of good storytelling when it comes to marketing
• Some of the challenges facing streaming services in Japan and globally

About John Flanagan:

John Flanagan is President and Managing Director of A+E Networks Japan and SE Asia. Flanagan is a media professional with over 30 years' experience in Japan. His career highlights include launching J:COM and running marketing at 20th Century Fox and iTunes in Japan. Flanagan also teaches marketing part time at Japan’s largest MBA school, GLOBIS University. He graduated from Colorado College, which included one year's study at Waseda University in Tokyo. Flanagan later attended INSEAD.



Connect with John Flanagan:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnflanaganasia

A+E Networks Website: https://jp.aenetworks.com/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

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

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

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide

Welcome to the latest episode of the FocusCore podcast. This week we are talking with Sanae Endo, a seasoned HR professional, coach, and engagement consultant with a wealth of experience spanning over two decades. Join Sanae and host David Sweet as we dive into her journey, explore the trends shaping HR in Japan and beyond, and gain valuable insight into creating thriving, inclusive organizational cultures.

In this episode you will hear:

• Pivotal moments that shaped Sanae’s career in HR
• How to have more inclusive communication as a leader
• The challenges of implementing DEI initiatives in multinational companies
• How you can drive change within your organization
• The impact of AI on HR, now and in the future

About Sanae Endo:

Sanae Endo is a seasoned HR professional, coach, and engagement consultant with a wealth of experience spanning over two decades.

Her expertise encompasses executive coaching, union negotiation, recruitment, and training, global leadership, public relations, and strategic HR management. She has been a pivotal figure in driving organizational improvement across various industries. Throughout her illustrious career, Sanae has held key positions in some of the world's leading companies.

She served as the Japan Country HR Manager at Caterpillar, HR Business Partner at Coca-Cola East, HR VP at Hitachi-Johnson Controls Air Conditioning, General Manager of HR Talent at AXA Life, HR Senior Director at Gap, HR Director at Estée Lauder, and currently she is the VP of Communication and Engagement Officer at SkyDrive.

Sanae holds an MBA from the University of Wales, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from San Francisco State University. She is also a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and a Hogan Certified Assessor.

Connect with Sanae Endo:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sanae-endo-026275110

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

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

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

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

2025 Salary Guide

In this latest episode of the FocusCore podcast, host David Sweet is joined by Timothy Connor from Synnovate, a company that helps companies launch and succeed in the Japan market through four key practice areas. If you are a business leader in the Japanese market this conversation will provide some invaluable insights. In the episode Timothy explains the concept of strategic leadership and outlines the five leadership archetypes that are required at the different stages of an organization’s growth.

In this episode you will hear:

• How Timothy pivoted from designing apparel to marketing
• Timothy’s approach to identifying essential customer experience touch points
• What a social listening exercise is and how it can help your company
• Why last impressions can be more important than first impressions
• About strategic leadership and the five leadership archetypes
• The different skill sets required for each of the leadership archetypes

About Timothy:

Timothy Connor is a bilingual and bicultural longtime resident of Tokyo Japan. He has 25 years of experience in consumer related businesses, both B2B2C and B2C. During this time, he has developed a deep understanding of the Japanese market, its consumers, and the unique aspects of doing business in Japan, where trust relationships are essential.

As CEO of Synnovate, he develops road maps to growth, leads the implementation, and works synergistically with the local master distributor or franchisor to achieve growth. He uses his bilingual and bicultural expertise to liaise and create a trust relationship with the distributors and partners to then innovate in products, sales and marketing channels, and activation promotional activities. As a non-Japanese, he can often see opportunities that the Japanese partners cannot and has more flexibility than a Japanese partner to do things outside the box. Marketing to Japanese consumers requires a highly developed customer experience and attention to the finest details of quality, an aspect sometimes overlooked by foreign brands.

Previously Managing Director in charge of corporate development and the marketing service business group of an American owned firm. His role was to find new business opportunities, devise the market strategy for sales and distribution partners, develop the organization, and subsequently run the new business.

These experiences motivated him to develop the concept of strategic leadership and the five “types” of leadership that can become necessary in the growth journey of any business.

Connect with Timothy:

Website: https://www.synnovate.jp/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyconnor/

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

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

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

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out

Welcome back from the August break. On this episode of the podcast we sit down with the Managing Director and President of DSV Solutions in Japan, Scott Smalley. Scott is a senior management executive with over 35 years of experience, 25 of which have been dedicated to global logistics in Japan. Scott is bilingual, multicultural, well-connected and highly respected within the logistics industry and business in general in Japan. In this conversation we learn some of Scott’s strategies and advice for managing global operations in Japan, and multinationally.

In this episode you will hear:

• Some of the unique advantages to working in global logistics for different companies all over the world
• Scott’s advice on how to get started in sales and be effective
• The challenges involved in managing a logistics company in Japan
• How DSV Japan are achieving their sustainability goals
• How leaders can create stronger future organizations

About Scott Smalley:

Scott is a senior management executive with over 35 years of experience, 25 of which have been dedicated to global logistics in Japan. Currently, he serves as the Managing Director and President of DSV Solutions in Japan. Scott’s professional journey has been marked by a unique blend of strategic sales and operational expertise in global supply-chain management and logistics. As a bi-lingual, multicultural professional, Scott brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in managing global operations.

Although contract logistics has been Scott’s primary professional focus, he has extensive experience in freight forwarding and global customer relationship management. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with peers around the world to tackle complex supply-chain challenges, leveraging his global connections and insights to drive successful outcomes.

Scott’s career is defined by a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a keen focus on the bottom line. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to design innovative supply-chain products and services, leading by example to ensure successful implementations. Scott is also deeply committed to coaching and encouraging his business teams to excel, helping them achieve results beyond their expectations. Scott’s peers consider him well-connected and highly respected not only within the logistics industry but also among multinational management professionals worldwide.

Connect with Scott Smalley:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-smalley-0186a

DSV website: https://www.dsv.com/en/countries/asia/japan

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

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

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

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co....

During the month of August we will be enjoying some summer weather and taking a break from recording new episodes. To satiate your thirst we will be re-releasing the hottest episodes of the year, every week, for you to enjoy with a Mai Tai by the pool like David will be.

In this episode of the podcast from March this year, we switched things up and had guest host Simon Jelfs, Managing Director of FocusCore Japan, interview Dr. David Sweet to find out what makes him tick, in business and in life. David is originally from Denver, Colorado with 25 years recruitment experience in Japan, all of it in leadership roles. He established FocusCore Japan in 2011. He's a father of two, a keen runner, a writer, and an ukulele player. Listen to the episode to learn more about how David manages to be so proactive and motivated in business and in life, and gain some invaluable insight into the Japanese labor market and recruitment landscape.

In this episode you will hear:

• About David’s love of running marathons and his plans to run the Barcelona marathon
• How David manages to stay so proactive and motivated in business and life in general
• How international business leaders view the Japanese market
• David’s advice to APAC leaders looking to improve recruitment performance in Japan
• About the ageless leadership skills that stand the test of time

About Simon Jelfs:

​Simon is from the UK and has over 20 years accounting and finance recruitment experience in Tokyo. He is the Managing Director of Focus Core which focuses on providing executive search in Japan.

About David Sweet:

David Sweet is the founder and CEO of FocusCore Group. For the past 25 years, he has helped companies hire the best executive talent in Tokyo. He is also a certified executive coach and author of Sweet Success, Sweet Sales, Recruit! Becoming the Top-Biller, as well as having been interviewed for the book, “Facebook & LinkedIn 対応履歴書いらずのソーシャルメディア転職術” for his expertise in using Social Networking for recruitment in Japan. He also is a published poet, including Gus (illustrated by Jennifer Shinkai), Split Infinity Forward, and Pop Rocks. He holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Development and a M.A. in Communications from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.

Connect with Simon Jelfs:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonjelfs

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp

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

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

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/

“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.

Mentioned in this episode:

Find out more about salaries, the job market, hiring and what's important to both companies and individuals looking for a job specifically in Japan.

During the month of August we will be enjoying some summer weather and taking a break from recording new episodes. To satiate your thirst we will be re-releasing the hottest episodes of the year, every week, for you to enjoy with a Mai Tai by the pool like David will be.

In this re-release episode from February, I turn the podcasting tables on my guest Catherine O’Connell, who is host and cohost of two fantastic podcasts; Lawyer On Air and Jandals in Japan. If you haven’t listened to those two podcasts I highly recommend them both! Catherine is the principal and founder of her boutique commercial law firm based in Tokyo, Catherine O'Connell Law. She is the first foreign female to set up her own law practice in Tokyo and won Tokyo Foreign Lawyer of the Year Award in 2022, Boutique Law Firm of the Year Award in 2023, and is the recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2020. One of Catherine’s missions in life is to change the boardrooms of traditional Japan from the inside, sharing her lived experience through board coaching programs to demystify and open pathways for people to access and attain roles on Japanese corporate boards.

In this episode you will hear:

• How Catherine went from being a tour guide in New Zealand to studying law and working as a foreign lawyer in Japan
• What motivated Catherine to set up Catherine O’Connell Law, her own law firm in Tokyo
• About the lack of diversity in terms of board governance in Japan
• What Japanese companies can do now to diversify their boards
• What women leaders can do to open boardroom doors for themselves and others

Things mentioned in the episode:

Statistical Information about female board members in Japan: https://www.nikkei.co.jp/nikkeiinfo/en/global_services/nikkei-bp/female-board-member-survey-which-japanese-company-has-the-highest-percentage-of-female-board-members.html

About Catherine O’Connell:

Catherine O’Connell is Principal & Founder of her boutique commercial law firm based in Tokyo, Catherine O’Connell Law. She is the first foreign female to set up her own law practice in Tokyo. She won Boutique Law Firm of the Year Award 2023 and Foreign Lawyer of the Year Award 2022 and is the recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2020.

Significantly, Catherine has been appointed in June 2023 as an Independent Audit & Supervisory Board Member of TOYOTA Motor Corporation. In June 2022 she was appointed as Outside Audit & Supervisory Board member of FUJITSU Limited. Through both of these appointments she has become the first non-Japanese female in Japanese corporate history to serve in this role on any Japanese Board. She is also Statutory Auditor on ASX-listed Japan subsidiary of CSL Behring.

Catherine presides as Vice-Chair of the Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of Japan, is co-Chair of the Legal Services & IP Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and is immediate Past President of NPO, Women in Law Japan (2021-2023).

Prior to launching her law practice in 2018, Catherine was Head of Legal and APAC Regional Legal Counsel for Molex Japan LLC. She held senior In-House Legal Counsel positions Panasonic, Olympus and Mitsubishi Motors, and has extensive private practice experience at Hogan Lovells (Tokyo and London) and Anderson Lloyd (New Zealand).

Catherine hosts the award-winning “Lawyer on Air” Podcast sharing inspirational stories about women working in the law in Japan and she co-hosts the “Jandals in Japan” podcast about successful New Zealand business in...