Today's guest Richard Katz has worked for decades as a journalist working on the Japanese economy, and he has written two books on Japan: "The System That Soured" and "Japanese Phoenix." He is now working on a third, about how to nurture a new generation of high-growth, innovative small and medium enterprises in Japan. He has published various op-eds and essays in publications such as "Foreign Affairs," The "Financial Times," Toyo Keizai, and the "Wall Street Journal Asia." A few of the topics covered in today's conversation include the dormant entrepreneurship in Japan, the broken promises made to working women, and why structural issues around finance in Japan may be one of its greatest hindrances to growth.

Today's Japanese: 
しかたがない
shi-ka-ta ga na-i
Meaning: “there’s nothing that can be done,” “there’s no use,”  “it can’t be helped”

Richard's Links: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-katz-937308204/
Blog: https://richardkatz.substack.com/welcome
Entrepreneurial Revival In Japan: A False Spring or Real Opportunity? (UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xo1LYV860g

Related Episodes: 
Exploring and Thriving in the Changing World of Startups in Japan with Fuminori Gunji: 
Evolving Trends in Japanese Subsidiary Companies and the Lasting Power of Monozukuri with Francis Pacheco: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Evolving-Trends-in-Japanese-Subsidiary-Companies-and-the-Lasting-Power-of-Monozukuri-with-Francis-Pacheco-e14ne9c
Finding Success in Japanese Universities, Startups, and Beyond with Austin Zeng: https://anchor.fm/businesssuccessjapan/episodes/Finding-Success-in-Japanese-Universities--Startups--and-Beyond-with-Austin-Zeng-e1687sh

Further Reading: 
Why Nobody Invests in Japan: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/guest-pass/redeem/5gAlISIPRr8
Old corporate champions can’t save Japan: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/05/30/old-corporate-champions-cant-save-japan/
Japan’s Looming Climate Showdown: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/guest-pass/redeem/rdp-a4Eil74
An Election Mandate For Growth and Redistribution: https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/464660

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