Russian-Japanese Student Business Dialogue – HSE University Graduate School of Business and Kyushu University Business School
The Russian-Japanese business meeting was attended not only by students from the HSE University Graduate School of Business but also by over 20 representatives of Japanese business, including owners and executives of small and medium-sized enterprises. This marked a significant step in developing a practical dialogue between the future business leaders of the two countries.
The meeting's key guest was Norimasa Shimada, Director of JETRO Moscow (Japan External Trade Organization), who provided an overview of the current state of Japanese business in Russia. During the dialogue, students from Kyushu University Business School shared insights into the specifics of doing business in Japan. They presented a detailed analysis of the evolution and modern interpretation of such concepts as "keiretsu" and "zaibatsu", and their distinctions from Western conglomerate models. The discussion covered criteria of control, influence, and accounting treatment for various types of affiliated companies: from fully controlled subsidiaries to those within associate networks.
Students from the HSE University Graduate School of Business shed light on the specifics of the Russian business environment, institutional conditions, and opportunities for international cooperation, including how Japanese brands can effectively launch in Russia via marketplaces, particularly Ozon. Participants discussed the role of marketplaces and concluded that they are not a replacement for traditional partnership but rather an effective tool for rapid demand testing (1-3 months to first sale) and minimizing initial costs, allowing for the parallel development of long-term relationships with local distributors.
The event concluded with an open discussion and a Q&A session. For students from both countries, the meeting was a valuable opportunity to gain practical insights and discuss prospects for future Russian-Japanese business interaction.
We extend our gratitude to all participants and JETRO Moscow and look forward to further developing academic and business cooperation between the HSE University Graduate School of Business and leading educational and business institutions in Japan.