Japanese Self-initiated Expatriate Entrepreneurs in South East Asia

Abstract

‘Global-is-Asian’ (Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy). This bold statement on the school’s flagship digital platform encourages the dissemination of research and advanced discussion by scholars on the new dynamics in this part of the world. We too argue that we are witnessing the ‘Asianization of Asia’ (Funabashi 1993), where there is raised consciousness and an establishment of identity that has seen Asia emerging as a force to be reckoned with. As many analysts have observed, there is an economic shift from West to East where the ‘global’ financial crisis did not see massive losses in Asia; in fact, many South East Asian nations began to thrive in this new world order. With a potential consumer network of over 620 million, the region has deep cultural diversity, some ethical leadership challenges and a strong community. As cross-cultural academics in Japan, we are able to witness first-hand the globalization of Japan while simultaneously observing massive change and development in the region surrounding us. Fascinated with Japan’s position in this new Asia, our research led us to explore how Japanese SIEEs are themselves taking advantage of the current economic climate in Asia.