Author: Tomoko Matsuoka

Japan’s 29th Place IMD Digital Competitiveness Ranking, Explained
Business, Life in Japan October 12th, 2022

Japan’s 29th Place IMD Digital Competitiveness Ranking, Explained

Japan came in 29th place in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking for 2022. Here's what went into their score.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Contributing Editor & Writer
Plastic-Free Tea Bags: Are You Drinking Plastics in Your Japanese Tea?
Life in Japan October 6th, 2022

Plastic-Free Tea Bags: Are You Drinking Plastics in Your Japanese Tea?

Learn how to avoid Japan's plastic tea bags. (You should—they have billions of plastic particles in them.)
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Contributing Editor & Writer
International Shipping from Japan: Options & FAQs [Updated 2022]
Life in Japan, Mail Trivia April 2nd, 2022

International Shipping from Japan: Options & FAQs [Updated 2022]

Finding the best way to ship something from Japan depends mostly on your budget and the type of goods you wish to send. This article covers the most popular and trusted options for sending items from Japan to your home country. 
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Contributing Editor & Writer
Company Formation in Japan [Updated 2022 Guide]
Business, Essential Checklists February 1st, 2022

Company Formation in Japan [Updated 2022 Guide]

The key decisions to make pre-paperwork, common pitfalls to avoid, and a step-by-step checklist to guide you on your journey.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Contributing Editor & Writer
Discover Our Must-Reads of 2021 
Business, Entrepreneurship, Life in Japan December 27th, 2021

Discover Our Must-Reads of 2021 

These are the articles we shortlisted out of the 137 features we published in 2021.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Contributing Editor & Writer
User Cases: Who Can, Who Can’t Use a Virtual Office Address in Japan?

User Cases: Who Can, Who Can’t Use a Virtual Office Address in Japan?

Who can use a virtual office address in Japan? Who can’t? And regulatory concepts that often hinder virtual address use.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Contributing Editor & Writer
Lancers’ Report: The State of Freelancing in Japan in 2021
Business, Entrepreneurship, Life in Japan November 16th, 2021

Lancers’ Report: The State of Freelancing in Japan in 2021

Here’s what to know about current trends in freelancing and work styles in Japan, sourced from Lancers’ seventh annual fact-finding investigation. 
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Contributing Editor & Writer
3 Lessons from Teruo Kise: Former Chairman of TOTO
Business, Entrepreneurship October 18th, 2021

3 Lessons from Teruo Kise: Former Chairman of TOTO

TOTO’s former chairman on the philosophies and key strategies that helped create the cult-like devotion that TOTO’s toilets inspire today.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Contributing Editor & Writer
What Is a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in Japan? And How to Prepare It
Business, Entrepreneurship October 11th, 2021

What Is a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in Japan? And How to Prepare It

If you don't have a Business Continuity Plan for your Japanese business yet, start here. 
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Contributing Editor & Writer
Notable Japanese on Obsessions, Failures, and More
Life in Japan September 23rd, 2021

Notable Japanese on Obsessions, Failures, and More

10 celebrated Japanese and their thoughts on where to focus your obsession, how to recover from failure, the power of first-hand lessons, and much more.
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Tomoko Matsuoka
Tomoko Matsuoka Contributing Editor & Writer