My name is Maya Matsuoka, Founder and Principal Consultant of Japan Expert Insights. A Tokyo-based multi-lingual Bulgarian, I am probably best known among friends and colleagues for my unrepairable  Easter-European accent.

I graduated from Sofia University, the national University of Bulgaria, while working for a company which organized international conventions, cultural & adventure tours for inbound visitors. Since then, I have worked in the IT,
translation, and travel industries. My professional experience includes meeting & convention management, corporate communications and marketing.

Why Do We Do This?

In the summer of 2020, I met many expatriates who seemed to share some concerns about their work in Japan. They didn’t understand why their Japanese colleagues wouldn’t discuss important issues at meetings. They felt excluded from the decision-making process and couldn’t connect well (if at all) with their Japanese employees. These frustrations were intensified by, but not the result of, low Japanese speaking skills. They had a deeper, more complex cause. This was the difference between cultural values, traditions and practices that still shape business and everyday life all around the world.

So I created Japan Expert Insights as a resource of knowledge and information for people who were new to Japan. The idea was to tap into the expertise of experienced Japan hands. This would help those who were new to the country to find answers to questions, and solutions to frustrations coming from the specific nature of Japan’s business environment.

In 2023, we registered this venture as a company that now offers cross-cultural training and consulting with a focus on Japan. We focus on the hidden and often unspoken dynamics of Japanese society, including decision-making processes, leadership norms, historical context, and relational dynamics that directly affect business performance, stakeholder trust, and long-term success in Japan. Our approach goes beyond surface-level cultural training: we offer strategic cultural intelligence grounded in real-world experience. Our assistance has delivered tangible results for the clients who have put their trust in us.

At Japan Expert Insights, we work with corporations, policymakers, and professionals to help them successfully navigate the cultural, political, and organizational realities of doing business in Japan.

Thanks to this venture, I have been fortunate to meet some of the best professionals who have worked in Japan. I am grateful for the lessons and continued support of Tim Sullivan, Timothy Langley, Prof. Stephen Nagy, Richard Berger, Tomoko Mitsuoka (三岡　智子), Yuka Marosek, CFA, Kei Izawa, and many others. The community of Japan Expert Insights continues to grow. My deep gratitude goes to everyone who has engaged with us and continues to support us.