Sarah Hudson made history as Aotearoa's first artist in residence at the Setouchi Triennale. Sarah shares her transformative experience living and creating art in Kagawa Prefecture's island community. Sarah's story is one of perseverance, cultural discovery, and the universal language of art. She reveals how stepping outside the big cities and into rural Japan changed not just her artwork, but her entire perspective on connection, community, and creativity. Whether you're an artist considering international opportunities, a business person looking to understand cross-cultural collaboration, or simply someone who loves hearing about authentic Japan experiences, this conversation will inspire you to see art as a bridge between worlds.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The profound similarities between Māori and Japanese worldviews and the stone wall connection of a far away island and one close to Sarah’s whenua (land) in Aotearoa
• What it takes to be an artist in residence in Japan and tips for aspiring artists to follow in Sarah’s footsteps
• The process to harvest taonga(treasures, property) for art
• Why getting out of big cities is essential for understanding the real Japan

About Sarah

Sarah Hudson is a Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe and Ngāti Pūkeko artist based in Whakatāne, Aotearoa. Her practice explores tino rangatiritanga (sovereignty), whenua (land), reciprocity, and relationships through painting, performance, and sculpture. Sarah has exhibited nationally and internationally with the award-winning Mataaho Collective, and is also a founding member of the Kauae Raro Research Collective, an organisation dedicated to the promotion and retention of Māori paint-making technologies.

Based in Aotearoa New Zealand, McCahon House deliver a programme designed around the concept of supporting artists at pivotal points in their careers. This includes national and international career-defining residencies and celebrating artists through events and commissioned essays, as well as education initiatives and resources.

The Tomorrow Group are McCahon House patrons that support our bold and ambitious projects with international scope, including the Naoshima Artist Residency. They enable artists to extend their practice in different contexts, engage in international exchange and contribute to global discourse.

Links

Setouchi Triennale: https://setouchi-artfest.jp/en/

McCahon House https://mccahonhouse.org.nz/

Press Release: https://www.asianz.org.nz/arts/artist-sarah-hudson-announced-as-naoshima-artist-in-residence-and-setouchi-triennale-2025

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

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Alex Kane: Movember

Bryn Rowdon is the Corporate Communications General Manager for Fonterra's North Asia region. We uncover the fascinating story of how New Zealand's iconic dairy cooperative is not only a leading B2B supplier in one of the world's most discerning markets but also helping local dairy farmers to create more sustainable and profitable farms.

New Zealand dairy products and ingredients are now part of Japanese bento, coffee creamers, cheeses and morning toast to name a few, listen in to hear more about Fonterra and how they are doing business in Japan.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Bryn’s bumpy road on the Japanese learning journey turned into a career in Japan
• How Fonterra operates as a B2B company in Japan and the surprising products that contain Fonterra ingredients
• The transformation happening in Japanese dairy farming and how Fonterra is helping to lead the charge
• The critical importance of patience and local partnerships when entering the market in Japan

About Bryn

Bryn Rowdon is the Corporate Communications General Manager for Fonterra’s North Asia region (Japan & South Korea).

He is responsible for the implementation of the region’s sustainability Global Road map, managing stakeholder relations to effectively promote Fonterra's sustainability proposition to North Asia's customers and consumers. His team also manages Legal, Compliance, CSR and Corporate Affairs.

His previous roles have included Corporate Planning GM, responsible for managing Strategic and Integrated Business Planning and Corporate Affairs as well as North Asia Operations GM, where he managed the Logistics & Sales Operations teams.

Links

Fonterra Japan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fonterra.jp/

Alex Kane’s Movember Fundraising page: https://movember.com/m/14341735?mc=1

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan...

From the Māori All Blacks to the Ricoh Black Rams in Tokyo, Tabai Matson (Tabs) has coached rugby on multiple continents—and Japan has taught him some of his most valuable lessons.

We build on our learnings from top leaders as Tabs shares his cultural context knowledge with us that is also effective outside of locker rooms and scrums. You’ll be inspired to try your hand at your own version of the “head coach” persona whether it’s in business, sports or daily life in Japan or Aotearoa for that matter.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Tabs’ journey from player/coach to head coach of the Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo
• Why TJ Perenara is captain this season and the fantastic example he is in the team and as a “negotiator” on the field
• The unique challenge for coaching staff due to Japan’s traditional rugby pathways
• Tab’s favourite Japanese proverb, treat from the conbini on treat night and a go to karaoke song

About Tabai

Tabai Matson (Tabs) is Head Coach of the Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo, a team competing in the Japan Rugby League One tournament.

Born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand his rugby journey has spanned continents, from pulling on the black jersey for the All Blacks and representing Fiji at the Rugby World Cup, to playing and coaching for Shizuoka Blue Revs (formerly Yamaha Motor Júbilo) here in Japan.

He has built an extraordinary coaching career as Canterbury’s ITM Cup championship head coach, Crusaders and Chiefs assistant coach in Super Rugby, Head Coach at Bath Rugby in England, and the first non-Māori to coach the Māori All Blacks.

His path has taken him across five nations, two Rugby World Cups, and over 300 professional games coached.

Now based in Tokyo Tabs has come full circle - returning to Japan not only to coach but to immerse himself once again in the culture he calls “a place of strength and beauty.”

Connect with Tabai

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabai-matson-969846134/

Links

Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo http://blackrams-tokyo.com/

Blue Lock Anime: https://bluelock-anime-en.com/

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

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Meet Aaron Astle, whose remarkable family story connects two nations across time. As a descendant of Noda Asajiro - believed to be the first Japanese person to set foot in New Zealand in the late 1800s - Aaron brings a unique perspective to living in Japan. From growing up in Auckland immersed in Te Ao Māori to making music and studying Japanese in Osaka, Aaron shares his journey of cultural discovery and connection.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan in the box below.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you will hear:

• The incredible story of Noda Asajiro: how a 10 year old Japanese boy accidentally became a stowaway and ended up marrying into Māori royalty
• Striking similarities between Māori and Japanese languages
• Why Aaron felt instantly at home in Japan
• Aaron's musical journey and his upcoming single called "The Night Our Stars Fell"

About Aaron

Born to an American mother and Māori father in Auckland, New Zealand, Aaron Astle (Tainui iwi) has spent his life in love with his whakapapa Māori that he inherited from his father’s side. Since a very young age, at every turn Aaron has taken any opportunity to share Te Ao Māori with those wanting to engage with it. From teaching kapa haka, running cultural workshops with his father to eventually taking it into the corporate space as the Cultural Capability Lead for Vodafone NZ, alongside his role as a Solution Architect. Shifting gears to follow his childhood dream, Aaron moved to Japan in 2023 where he has since been immersing himself in the new culture, studying the language, making and performing music, and lastly drawing closer to his roots that also happen to lead back to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Links:

Banpaku Kouen Expo Park: https://www.expo70-park.jp/

Kiwi House http://www.kiwihouse.jp/

El Pancho https://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270201/27001670/

Aaron’s Music: https://aeonaltars.bandcamp.com/community

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan

Join us for an insightful conversation with Charles Wilson, who leads Tatua Japan's operations as both President and Representative Director in one of New Zealand's most important export markets. From his childhood introduction to Japan through the Japanese supplemental education calculation & maths program “Kumon mathematics” to becoming president of a dairy ingredients company, Charles shares his unique journey and valuable insights about building successful business relationships in Japan. You will enjoy this story of how an SME like Tatua Japan can partner with Japanese companies for mutually beneficial outcomes.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you will hear:

• Why arriving 5-10 minutes early for meetings is essential for building trust and success in Japanese business culture
• How Japan's "ringi-sho" consensus-building process really works with pre-meetings and side discussions before official approvals
• About the "proteinisation" trend driving demand for protein-enhanced products among Japan's aging population
• Charles' unexpected summer survival tip - escaping to Tama's cool river waters and Japanese workplace "cool down rooms"

About Charles

Charles Wilson has been at the helm of Tatua Japan since 2023, as both President and Representative Director. This role has enabled him to live his passion for strengthening trade and business ties between Japan and New Zealand.

He leads a growing team, oversees key customer relationships, drives strategic initiatives, and manages the company’s day-to-day operations.

His interest in the agricultural and dairy industries originates from his upbringing on an avocado orchard in the sunny Bay of Plenty and his experience spending summer holidays milking cows. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, and a Bachelor of Business in Finance from Massey University.

Prior to joining Tatua, Charles spent nearly a decade with ITOCHU Corporation—one of Japan’s largest general trading companies—working in both Tokyo and Sydney. At ITOCHU, he developed infrastructure investment strategies and managed a portfolio of global infrastructure assets.

The blend of Charles’ Kiwi upbringing and his adaptation to Japanese culture has deepened his appreciation for the vital harmony between people, nature, and enterprise—a balance that lies at the heart of agriculture and fuels his passion for the field.

Links

Tatua Japan: https://jp.tatua.com/

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

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What does it take to succeed in Japan's notoriously difficult beauty market? Elizabeth Barbalich, founder and Director of iconic New Zealand skincare brand Antipodes, shares her fascinating 7-year journey of patience, persistence, and cultural learning that led to success in one of the world's most discerning markets.

From developing seven products over two years in her quest for natural wellness, to navigating the complex world of Japanese retail partnerships and formal business etiquette, Elizabeth reveals why Japan isn't just about revenue -it's about building brand equity that opens doors globally. Discover the surprising cultural differences (like why Japanese women condition their hair nightly!), the power of retail staff relationships over influencer marketing, and why being seen on Japanese shelves makes international buyers take notice.

Whether you are considering Japan as a market, or simply love hearing about entrepreneurial grit, this episode is packed with actionable insights about building authentic brand trust in a market where customers read every ingredient and expect perfection.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Elizabeth overcame the challenge of minimal sales with three different distributors for the first three years in Japan

• The six-hour "etiquette meeting" required to switch distributors and what it taught her about Japanese business culture

• How she created a vitamin C toner specifically for Japanese consumers (and why it became a hit in other markets too)

• Why she values formal business meetings and trains her entire team on proper etiquette for every market

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth Barbalich is the founder and CEO of the iconic New Zealand skincare brand Antipodes which she founded over 20 years ago in 2004.

Elizabeth grew up on the Mainland amidst the Canterbury Plains, undertook a science degree in biology from the University of Canterbury, then embarked on an MBA from the University of Auckland. She won a highly competitive position with a United States medical technology corporation and spent 8 years training surgeons and registrars in the use of their cutting-edge equipment.

Antipodes skincare products are made of pure bioactive ingredients from New Zealand’s nature. To launch the sustainable beauty brand, she drew on her background in science. Today Antipodes is available in Japan and many other countries.

Links

Antipodes: https://jp.antipodesnature.com/

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

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We cross swords/minds with Graham Sayer, a 7th dan Kyoshi kendo practitioner, former president of the New Zealand Kendo Federation and recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun.

Graham has been a huge supporter of Jandals in Japan Podcast from its early days and we are thrilled that he agreed to join us to share his wealth of experience in both kendo and business between Japan and New Zealand. Listen to hear more about this fascinating martial art that changed the trajectory of Graham’s life.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• What Japan was like in the bubble era of the late 70s and early 80s
• Loyalty and the challenge of switching martial arts codes in Japan
• How learnings from kendo can take you into the business world
• Japan’s timber industry and why Graham is selling timber to New Zealand

About Graham

Graham Sayer: Kiwi spirit, global horizons

Graham grew up in Taranaki and in 1978, at 20 years of age, headed to Japan to chase his dream of getting a black belt in judo. A knee injury rerouted him to kendo which then became a lifelong passion, sparking a career blending entrepreneurship and cultural exchange. Graham founded a trading venture as well as running a private English school for children in Kyoto before returning to NZ in 1985 to raise his family.

Graham has been involved in many different businesses over the years including, importing wooden toys (into Japan) and cultured pearls (into NZ). He also ran a joint venture with a Japanese company, building a small chain of four photo/camera stores in Auckland as well as launching Escapepods motorhomes, and lastly, was a manufacturer and distributor of rota-moulded fishing kayaks in Japan.

Graham now focuses on Japanese timber exports and supporting his wife’s kendo travel business.

Graham was Kendo President, NZ Kendo Federation for 33 years as well as Auditor for the International Kendo Federation (present). He co-founded the Auckland Kendo club in 1988 which today is NZ’s largest Kendo club. In 2022, he was awarded Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun for services to cultural ties between Japan and New Zealand via the art of Kendo.

Today, he spends his time between Japan and NZ - embracing simplicity, tradition, and new ventures.

Connect with Graham

Kendo: https://akc.org.nz/

Kendo Tours: www.kendotours.com

Timber: www.japaneselumber.com

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch

If you are a long term resident in Japan and consider yourself to be a cultural bridge builder, then this episode is a must listen for you. Sean O’Connell, Professor and Director of the International Center at Nanzan University, is about to drop some gold nuggets in your lap on how you can ace being an even better cross-cultural bridge builder. This is the jandal you have been looking for.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How the Karate Kid kicked off Sean’s interest in the martial arts and the Japanese language
• Sean’s tips for also successfully interpreting feeling and nuance between Japanese and English counterparts
• The biggest culture shock moment for people new to business in Japan
• Bringing Sean’s skills in bridge building to life at his bar, The Hungry Moose
• Why Sean loves the Jandals in Japan Podcast!

About Sean

Sean has a passion for bridging cultures, and has spent decades (30+ years in Japan alone) immersed in Japanese language, business, and the like. After an exchange year in Yokohama in 1986, he earned a BA in Japanese, an MA in Advanced Japanese Studies, and a PhD in Intercultural Business Communication. Sean’s career has taken him from guiding and managing Japanese tours in New Zealand, and business interpreting and translation in Japan to corporate training, where he specialises in preparing expats and fostering multicultural teamwork.

Sean is a Professor and Director of the International Center at Nanzan University in Nagoya. In his free time you can find him at the bar he co-founded, The Hungry Moose.

Connect with Sean

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOCNAGOYA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-o-connell-8294b071/

Links:

The Hungry Moose: https://www.thehungrymoose.jp/en

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan