'About Japan' webinar series 268: Understanding ‘the Why’ behind Japanese business behaviours” – the keys for relationship management

Understanding Japanese behaviour is the key to building successful and trustful relationships. But how can you unlock the ‘Why’ behind Japanese business culture — especially in moments of tension?

This session will provide essential insights into fostering successful and sustainable relationship management with Japanese clients and partners.

This session will help you to:

• Decode Japanese business behaviours that may feel unfamiliar in European contexts.
• Recognize how Japanese professionals handle difficult situations while preserving harmony.
• Apply key principles — illustrated through a mini-case — for building trustful, long-term partnerships

This webinar is targeted to EU companies seeking to develop, strengthen or improve their current relationship with Japanese clients or partners.

In 40 minutes from your desk, discover how to:

• Gain a deeper ability to decode what is happening beneath the surface when working with Japanese clients and partners.
• Sharpen your cross-cultural effectiveness in Japanese business contexts, with a special focus on relationship management.

The webinar recording and presentation will not be made available on the website.

Programme:

• Introduction
• Expert’s presentation
• Q&A Session

Speaker:

Akiko Klahr-Suzuki brings over 25 years of global business experience, working from Europe with a strong focus on Japan and Asia. She helps Japanese and European companies expand opportunities and strengthen partnerships by enhancing intercultural collaboration.

She previously held leadership roles at Hewlett-Packard in Japan and France (EU headquarters), where she led business model and operational transformations across 15 European countries and managed global marketing and sales operations spanning Asia, Europe, and the USA. Her expertise lies in building strong cross-border relationships, driving business performance and supporting companies in creating synergies that bridge cultures and foster sustainable growth.

Moderator: Sofia Smerzi, Business Support Coordinator, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

Organiser: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation - Brussels Office