Japan and New Zealand,
in the same room.
Bilingual facilitation, trusted introductions, and practical cross-cultural support for established businesses working between the two countries.
Two markets.
One person who knows both.
Navigate Business helps Japanese and New Zealand businesses build commercial relationships across the two countries — through bilingual facilitation, business introductions, and practical cross-cultural support.
Every engagement is led personally by Ken Yonei, director of Navigate Japan Limited: a second-generation Japanese New Zealander, native in English and Japanese, with 15+ years of business experience across Japan, New Zealand, and the Asia-Pacific.
Three ways we work with you.
Every engagement starts with a Diagnostic. From there, we either help with a specific interaction or run a structured partner search — or tell you plainly that you don't need us.
Cross-Border Diagnostic
A short, scoped engagement that answers one question: what needs to happen next? You receive a written brief covering your situation, the risks specific to your case, the people involved, and a recommended route — including “no further work needed”, if that's the honest answer.
- A written commercial brief
- A map of the key stakeholders
- A recommended next step
Bilingual Facilitation
For a specific meeting, negotiation, or visit that has to go well: preparation beforehand, interpretation and attendance on the day, and a written record of what was agreed and who does what next.
- Meeting preparation
- Interpretation and attendance
- Written follow-up actions
Market-Entry & Partner Sprint
A time-boxed search for the right distributor, supplier, customer, or partner: agreeing the criteria, researching and shortlisting candidates, coordinating outreach, and following through on the meetings that result.
- Target-partner criteria
- A researched shortlist
- Outreach and introductions
Need continuing support once things are moving? A monthly retainer can sit on top of any of the three.
Established businesses
with a concrete goal.
New Zealand businesses reaching Japan
You make or sell something in New Zealand and want a Japanese distributor, customer, or partner — and you need the first conversations to land well.
Japanese businesses building in New Zealand
You want a New Zealand supplier, customer, or partner, or a practical presence here — with someone on the ground who works in both languages.
A good fit
An operating business with a specific commercial trigger: a partner to find, a supplier to secure, or a meeting that has to go well.
Probably not a fit
General curiosity about the other market with no defined goal, or a personal enquiry with no business behind it.
Clear steps,
agreed in writing.
Tell us what you're trying to do
Use the form below, or ask whoever referred you to introduce us. You'll hear back from Ken personally.
Cross-Border Diagnostic
We look at your situation and give you a written brief with a recommended route.
Facilitation or Sprint
If there's more to do, we agree scope, timing, and fees in a written engagement letter before any work starts.
Ongoing support, if useful
A monthly retainer keeps us alongside you once the relationship is up and running.
Fees are quoted for each engagement once we understand what's involved.
What we don't do.
Being clear about these lines protects you as much as it protects us.
Immigration or visa advice
We never recommend a visa pathway or assess eligibility. When that question comes up, we'll point you to a licensed immigration adviser.
Legal or tax advice
We work alongside your lawyer and accountant, never instead of them.
Company formation or bank accounts
We explain the process, interpret, and coordinate with your own lawyer or accountant — who does the formation work itself.
Investment, capital raising, or property title
These are out of scope. For property in Japan, see Navigate Japan Stays.
Start a
conversation
Every enquiry is read and answered by Ken personally. Tell us a little about your business and what you're trying to achieve — we'll reply within one business day.
Thank you.
Your enquiry is with us. Ken will reply within one business day.