How Cultural Authenticity Powered Japan’s Global Gaming Resurgence

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How Cultural Authenticity Powered Japan’s Global Gaming Resurgence

The global video game market is poised to expand to a staggering $257 billion in 2023, according to PwC’s Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2022-26. For perspective, that’s more than 5.5 times the size of the global cinema industry. On track to exceed $321 billion in 2026, gaming shows no signs of slowing down.

In this article, the English version of 日本のゲーム産業はグローバルでどう輝くのか, Saga Consulting contributor Shiho Baisho extracts my thoughts on Japan’s place in the global business behemoth that is the video game industry. Japan’s story unfolds just like the narrative to your favorite role-playing game, complete with triumphs, defeats, and hope for the future. Join us as we explore the successes, failures, and limitless potential of Japanese gaming on the global stage.

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How Creatives and Knowledge Workers Can Thrive in the Era of AI

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How Creatives and Knowledge Workers Can Thrive in the Era of AI

This year, the excitement around AI soared to heights previously unseen. All of a sudden, the dystopian future depicted in countless sci-fi movies was knocking at humanity’s front door. In reality, however, the development and use of AI has been expanding for decades. What makes recent developments so exciting (and for many, frightening) is that powerful content-generation tools are now in the hands of everyday creatives and knowledge workers, generating fascinating results, often for free.

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Michael Williamson: How to Turn Your Passion into Profit on YouTube

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Michael Williamson: How to Turn Your Passion into Profit on YouTube

Whether you’re running a business or trying to monetize your creative pursuits, the most important thing to consider about social media is return on investment. How much value—be it in followers, brand recognition, ad revenue share, or even sales—is your chosen platform giving you in proportion to the time, effort, and money you invest?

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Make Working in Japan Work for You: A Virtual Discussion with Japan Expert Insights

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Make Working in Japan Work for You: A Virtual Discussion with Japan Expert Insights

Working abroad comes with plenty of unique challenges, many of which Anthony Griffin is familiar with, having founded his brand, Saga Consulting, in Japan. Anthony joined a virtual discussion in early 2022, hosted by Maya Matsuoka and Tim Sullivan with Japan Expert Insights, to discuss the definition of success, tapping into the entrepreneurial mindset—especially while abroad—and ways to leverage your individual position to make working in Japan work for you.

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A Conversation on Entrepreneurship and Marketing in Japan with Hashi Media

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A Conversation on Entrepreneurship and Marketing in Japan with Hashi Media

In early 2020, Anthony Griffin joined Hashi Media CHATBOT event host Eric Keyes for a conversation on entrepreneurship and marketing in Japan. In their discussion, they touched on what it’s like to start and run a marketing business in Japan, effective marketing strategies for small businesses, and the importance of professional, concise content.

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Marketing Between Two Worlds: The United States and Japan (The Business of Creativity)

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Marketing Between Two Worlds: The United States and Japan (The Business of Creativity)

Anthony Griffin joined Lucy Kikuchi, creator and host of The Business of Creativity podcast, for a virtual discussion in the fall of 2021. They weighed in on must-know global marketing tips, finding professional inspiration in Japan, and the importance of courage when learning Japanese.

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Discussing Global Communications, Cultural Insights, and Community Building on the Now and Zen Japan Podcast

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Discussing Global Communications, Cultural Insights, and Community Building on the Now and Zen Japan Podcast

In the fall of 2021, Anthony Griffin joined Now and Zen Japan podcast host Andrew Hankinson to unpack a range of topics, covering everything from global communications and tips for budding entrepreneurs, to cultural insights into Japan and building community with language. This article summarizes and explores the key points covered in the podcast, uncovering the valuable advice discussed along the way.

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Coming to Japan: Thoughts on Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship Abroad (Guest Post)

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Coming to Japan: Thoughts on Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship Abroad (Guest Post)

April 2022 marks the fifth anniversary of Saga Consulting, and naturally, moments like this prompt reflection. As a business inspired by Japan and built on the foundation of clear, professional writing, I figured that sharing the following interview—originally published in July 2020—was a good way to launch a series of upcoming announcements and content.

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New Video Series: Saga Consulting Client Conversations

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New Video Series: Saga Consulting Client Conversations

Although most of my work is bound by confidentiality agreements, I’ve started to work with more and more clients in a public capacity. I admire the work that my clients do, and I’m proud to be associated with them.

That’s why I’m pleased to announce Saga Consulting Client Conversations, a series of videos that give the clients I work with a chance to share their expertise with the world.

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Sharing My Senpai Success Story with Ikigai Connections

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Sharing My Senpai Success Story with Ikigai Connections

I recently had the opportunity to share my Senpai Success Story with Ikigai Connections, a brand dedicated to connecting Japanese-speaking job seekers with global companies. Senpai Success Stories feature those who have “walked a unique career path using their Japanese language/cultural skills.”

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Discussing the Intersection of Cross-Cultural Coaching and Digital Marketing on the Business Success Japan Podcast

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Discussing the Intersection of Cross-Cultural Coaching and Digital Marketing on the Business Success Japan Podcast

I recently had the pleasure of joining Lydia Beukelman on her podcast, Business Success Japan. This episode is a unique opportunity to peek behind the scenes of the coaching side of my business and how it complements my marketing work. In this episode, we cover the following topics and more:

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Discussing Networking, Value Creation, and Global Expansion on the Business Karaoke Podcast

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Discussing Networking, Value Creation, and Global Expansion on the Business Karaoke Podcast

Brittany Arthur, creator and host of the Business Karaoke podcast, was kind enough to invite me on her show to discuss a variety of topics relevant to running a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Japan. More of a conversation than an interview, we covered the following and much more:

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Discussing Entrepreneurship, Business Development, and Marketing on the Small Business Japan Podcast

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Discussing Entrepreneurship, Business Development, and Marketing on the Small Business Japan Podcast

I recently had the opportunity to share my story on the Small Business Japan Podcast, hosted by Josh Smith, a true global entrepreneur. In this wide-ranging interview, I explain how my career on both sides of the Pacific paved the way for Saga Consulting and my mission of helping Japanese companies and professionals communicate with global audiences.

Josh asked a variety of intriguing questions, and in this podcast you’ll learn how to:

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Profiled in The Japan Times

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Profiled in The Japan Times

I'm grateful to be featured in the "Japan Network Updates" section of The Japan Times. A “directory of who’s who in the world of business in Japan,” this section of the country’s leading source of English-language news furthers communication with Japan’s foreign community and compiles profiles of company presidents, ambassadors, and other active leaders.

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Experiencing Tokyo during the 2020 Olympic Games: An Interview with Hilton Tokyo General Manager Mike Williamson

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Experiencing Tokyo during the 2020 Olympic Games: An Interview with Hilton Tokyo General Manager Mike Williamson

Ever since I started producing content related to Japan’s booming tourism industry, I have consistently encountered one question: What will Tokyo be like during the 2020 Olympic Games? So, I set out to find some answers from those who would know best.

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Creating a Blueprint for Diversity in Japan: An Interview with Yoko Kuroda

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Creating a Blueprint for Diversity in Japan: An Interview with Yoko Kuroda

Read the news about Japan on any given day, and you’ll be bombarded with stories and opinion pieces on how the country needs to internationalize. There’s a lot of talk and discussion about fostering diversity in Japan, however concrete action plans to achieve this goal are hard to come by.

That’s why I was excited to meet Yoko Kuroda, executive director of the Global Human Resource Career Support Association (GHCA). Through this organization and its flagship product, the Business Skills Test for Global Human Resources (G-ken), she has transformed words into actions with a practical process to gradually globalize Japan’s workforce.

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