A jargon-free, no-nonsense introduction
to cross-cultural communication?
Building connections across cultures without knowledge of the pitfalls is like walking through a minefield blindfolded.
With the blindfold on, it’s impossible to navigate.
But remove the blindfold and the challenge immediately becomes manageable, assuming a sound strategy is employed.
This introductory course is designed to remove the blindfold, give you a peek at where the mines are, then challenge you to find your own way to navigate that minefield.
Designed for non-academics, this no-nonsense, jargon-free, story-driven course will quickly get you on the path to building meaningful human connections across cultures, and we promise it’ll be fun.
This introductory course is designed to remove the blindfold, give you a peek at where the mines are, then challenge you to find your own way to navigate that minefield.
Designed for non-academics, this no-nonsense, jargon-free, story-driven course will quickly get you on the path to building meaningful human connections across cultures, and we promise it’ll be fun.
If this sounds like your kind of training, join this live online event on May 2, 2025 at 10:00 am to 11:45 am JST. Together we’ll explore the challenges and joys of connecting with people across cultures.
Our Storytellers
Maya Matsuoka, a multilingual long-term resident of Tokyo, has lived and worked in Japan for 23.5 years. During her career, she has worked with travel destination authorities, diplomatic missions, state governments, airlines, tour operators, and travel agencies. Beyond this scope, Maya’s work includes projects helping foreign partners navigate the intricate business practices and cultural sensitivities specific to the Japanese market in industries that include ICT, cybersecurity, renewables and transportation.
Maya is now the Chief Enthusiast Officer of Japan Expert Insights. There she dedicates her efforts to demystifying Japan and helping businesses and individuals from around the world learn to strategically navigate the Japanese business landscape.
In her free time, Maya loves reading, exploring the hidden neighboroods of this fascinating city, and growing succulent plants from seed.
Tim Sullivan is a bilingual cross-cultural educator with a passion for connecting Japan with the rest of the world. Since the late 1980s, he’s helped thousands of clients from around the world build meaningful and productive relationships with Japanese counterparts.
Tim’s diverse work experience includes manufacturing, the airline industry, advertising, management, sales, customer service, hospitality, even hula dance! Past clients include Hawaiian Airlines, Halekulani Luxury Resort, Nordstrom, Christian Dior, Pacific Air Force Command, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and a major U.S.-based automotive manufacturer and its 400-plus suppliers.
Tim is now blissfully retired, living in Atami Japan, but is known to occasionally come out of retirement for special projects that stir his passions.
