WSG As Seen In: WSG Member Yukuo Takenaka in Shukan New York Seikatsu Newspaper
June, 2020 - United States of America
| The COVID-19 crisis and its resulting impact on global economies has created an atmosphere of concern and uncertainty in Japan, as well as the rest of the world. In this article, WSG member Yukuo Takenaka, CEO and president of Takenaka Partners LLC, discusses navigating these uncertain times, with a focus on the strengths of Japanese companies and how opportunities can still be found during this time of crisis and change. Now is Not the Time of Crisis, But of Opportunity. Shift Management Thinking! (English translation of the interview given by Mr. Takenaka) The COVID-19 crisis and its resulting impact on global economies has created an atmosphere of concern and uncertainty in Japan, as well as the rest of the world. We, at Shukan New York Seikatsu, wanted an expert opinion that could provide advice and wisdom to navigate these uncertain times. We interviewed Yukuo Takenaka, an investment banking expert who has successfully closed numerous M&A transactions and is now the current CEO and president of Takenaka Partners LLC. Before founding Takenaka Partners, LLC, Mr. Takenaka was the first Japanese born employee to become a partner at KPMG, one of the Big Four accounting firms. He has led the overseas expansion of numerous Japanese companies in different industries, including financial institutions, automotive corporations, manufacturing, and even cup noodle companies. We asked Mr. Takenaka what Japanese companies should be doing during this pandemic. He gave the following commentary and advice: “What is happening in the world is inevitable, not accidental. My philosophy in life is that there is a reason for everything and that nothing happens by accident. When we look at an event that no one has experienced before, such as COVID-19, it is important to identify why and how it impacts us from a societal, familial, personal, and business point of view, all of which are interconnected. From a societal point of view, we can see that one of the reasons that COVID-19 impacted us so greatly was the result of the economy growing too quickly and without intention. From a familial point of view, we realize the importance of connection and of not taking family for granted. Finally, from a business point of view, we must figure out what changes need to be made in order to survive this unstable economic period. Looking at the COVID-19 crisis through all of these viewpoints can help us reflect on the reason it happened and inspire us to adapt and look to the future. “The first thing I can say, is that whenever this type of event happens, we will not come back as we were before. The next change has already taken place. In such times, it is important to have a positive attitude and know that times of change and crisis can also be times of opportunity. “According to the principle of the universe, when the environment changes, living things must adapt and change themselves. The roots of this principle remain unchanged from when dinosaurs became extinct and reptiles survived during the Ice Age. When the environment changes, so must we. “Most people are concerned, confused, and worried about the future and have become uncertain of which direction to go from here. However, a small percentage of people are actively trying to adapt to changing circumstances and are looking for ways to turn change into opportunity. Those who think ahead need courage and must think about where their business is going and what changes need to be made in order to thrive. “Japanese companies doing business in the U.S. must realize that manufacturing and supply chains for manufacturing will change drastically. Now that a reliance on China has gone too far, there will be more active moves to return manufacturing bases to the U.S. homeland and/or shift operations to India and ASEAN countries. “COVID-19 revealed America’s over-dependence on Chinese manufacturing. As a result, “Made in America” will once again be the focus of attention in the continental United States. However, even if U.S. corporations say that they want to restore manufacturing, they will not resume manufacturing in the same way as before. They will need to adopt more advanced technology, such as robotics, automation, and AI, to succeed in the new age of “Made in America”. “This is a great opportunity for Japanese companies, as they are particularly skilled in manufacturing. Making things will be more valued than it is now. Now more than ever, to fully take advantage of this opportunity, Japanese companies must be rooted in the United States. M&A is an effective strategy that can help Japanese companies introduce their advanced manufacturing technology within the U.S. market. American companies have markets, consumers, and customers that Japanese companies can utilize while competing in their areas of expertise. “In the future, Japan must focus on areas of high profit margin and high quality rather than commodity, low margin areas. “Japanese companies should leverage their strengths in the medical and aerospace fields, which both have high margins. In particular, there are expanding business opportunities in the healthcare and medical device fields due to the U.S.’s aging population. “In addition, Japan’s food culture will be a major advantage for Japanese companies, as it creates the added value of manufacturing as a heritage. I want the Japanese food industry to challenge the mainstream American dining table and encourage ordinary American households to incorporate Japanese food as something they eat every day, not just in restaurants. “For instance, I helped Maruchan ramen successfully penetrate the wider U.S. market by advising them to move its products from the Oriental food shelves at the supermarket to be sold side-by-side with Campbell’s soup. Moving forward, frozen foods and products that can be eaten immediately will be a great target area in the U.S. There is still an opportunity in the food industry if the idea to penetrate more of what can be eaten at home is achieved. “If you are doing business in the United States, I want you to try to reach mainstream American customers. The automobile industry is a successful example of a Japanese industry that was able to enter the mainstream American market, but there should be opportunities to enter other mainstream America areas as well. “Our firm is actively building a network that will support these Asian strategies in the U.S. and help U.S. companies move their manufacturing operations to India and other ASEAN countries. I am pleased to contribute as a bridge for Japanese companies. I am willing to consult on any ideas and/or strategies to further this philosophy. Read More |
