Japan’s Galapagos Syndrome Still Alive And Well   The description of Japan, as similar to the remote islands of Galapagos off the South American coastline is often quite apt. The fauna and flora of the Galapagos Islands are unique and have become so, through their splendid isolation from the outside world. When the ruling Tokugawa family declared death for anyone coming into Japan or leaving Japan, with the exception of the Dutch down on tiny little Dejima Island in Kyushu, the country went into isolation from the rest of the world. Many things in Japan still continue in isolation despite the country opening up to the world, thanks to the arrival of American gunboats in the 1850s.   In 1992 I was posted in Nagoya, for four years, launching up a totally new operation there. I found it tough. We were trying to get Australian products and services into the Chubu region market, but the mental resistance was quite strong. Initially l thought it was because we were foreigners. I discovered that even those Japanese who were posted there from outside felt the same sense of isolation.   The people who staffed the companies in Nagoya graduated from schools and Universities in Nagoya or its surrounds. They spoke the local dialect, Nagoya ben and supported a range of parochial activities that differentiated them from “outsiders”. Being from Queensland in Australia, I knew all about parochialism. The Japanese staff I met in Nagoya coming from “outside” that region couldn’t wait to get out, because they complained they never felt accepted by the locals. This is the Galapagos syndrome in action.   Now the four years I spent in Osaka from 1996 were quite different. Yes or No was quite quickly forthcoming which was great – you received a decision. In Nagoya it was usually No. Osaka was more open but they also felt a jealousy with that upstart Tokyo. Osaka had been the commercial capital of Japan for centuries until the Tokugawa family decided that they would make the sleep fishing village of Tokyo their national headquarters. The locals mainly all went to school and university in the region, spoke the local dialect Osaka ben and supported a range of parochial activities that differentiated them from “outsiders”.   Back in Tokyo for the third time in 2001, I felt freed from all of that narrow minded regional parochialism. Sadly the narrow mindedness continues even here. I find this often in business. For example, when you go to a networking event, no one seems much interested in networking. The company representatives stand around talking to people they already know. If one of them knows someone else there, then an introduction is made, but no one is actively walking around handing over their business cards or meishi to strangers. Not done old chap, what.   Even at international events held in English hosted by the various foreign Chambers of Commerce, the more cosmopolitan Japanese representatives seem reluctant to network and meet new people. Surprisingly, if they arrive early, they go straight to a table and sit down – a sort of seated wallflower. When I approach them and ask to meet them, their faces drain of blood and they go quite pale at the thought of having to speak to a foreigner in English. I see the spread of relief in their faces when I switch to Japanese. Puzzling though, that the company would send someone to an international event, who is scared of having to speak to foreigners.   Who is educating these company staff about how to get out of their own mini-Galapagos? Their bosses are either doing the same thing themselves or they are ignorant of what a poor job their people are doing. I met someone at a recent networking function and followed up the next day, asking to be introduced to their HR person, so I could introduce Dale Carnegie Training to their company.   The HR person replied to them, they already have training contacts and so no need to meet me. It is quite normal that they may have some current suppliers but what str