Expert Network

Silkdrive Expert Network

Cross-cultural trainers, market entry consultants, and specialist agencies for companies working between Europe and East Asia. Featured experts are vetted through direct collaboration with Silkdrive.

Three Types of Expertise

Whether you need cultural preparation, strategic advice, or hands-on execution, the network has specialists who fit your stage and budget.

Trainers

Cross-cultural trainers who prepare teams for working across Japan and Europe. From business etiquette to negotiation, they build the skills your people need on the ground.

Consultants

Market entry advisors, growth strategists, and regulatory specialists who guide companies through the complexity of new markets. Hands-on support, not just slide decks.

Both Directions

Many of our experts work both ways: helping European companies enter Asia and Asian companies expand into Europe. Look for the "both directions" indicator on profiles.

Browse the Network

Country Corridor

Diversity Management Institute (Takashi Kawatani)

Trainer
Featured
Tokyo, Japan

President of Diversity Management Institute with 35+ years of experience in cross-cultural management. Author of 13 books on global leadership. Creator of 10 e-learning products. Global HR Excellence Award recipient (World HRD Congress 2011). Host of Japan Spirit English internet show.

Japanese Business Culture
Negotiation
Cross-Cultural Communication
Leadership Development
Japan
Global
Japanese
English
View Profile

Silkdrive (Patric Sawada)

Consultant
Featured
NL → DE
NL → BE
NL → JP
The Hague, Netherlands

Cross-cultural growth marketing agency. 11+ years of international marketing across Europe and East Asia. ADAPT framework for cultural adaptation. EU-Japan Centre recognized expert.

Growth Marketing
International SEO
LinkedIn Advertising
Cultural Adaptation
Netherlands
Germany
Belgium
Japan
South Korea
English
Dutch
German

Kenji Yamamoto

Consultant
Osaka, Japan

Japan market entry consultant specializing in helping European companies establish operations in the Kansai region. Focused on regulatory compliance and local partnership development.

Market Entry
Business Development
Regulatory Compliance
Japan
Japanese
English
View Profile

Japan Intercultural Consulting

Consultant
JP → US
JP → EU
JP → AP
Portland, USA

Founded by Rochelle Kopp with 30+ years of Japan focus. The most established name in Japan-specific cross-cultural training. Offers workshops, e-learning, executive coaching, and HR consulting.

Japanese Business Culture
Post-Merger Integration
Executive Coaching
Team Building
Japan
USA
Europe
APAC
English
Japanese

Hofstede Insights (The Culture Factor)

Consultant
Helsinki, Finland

145 certified practitioners in 61 countries. Uses Geert Hofstede's cultural dimensions framework. Japan office available. Gold standard for culture assessment and training.

Cultural Dimensions
Organizational Culture
Leadership Development
Cross-Cultural Assessment
Global
English
Japanese
Dutch
German
French

Eidam & Partner

Consultant
DE → NL
DE → DE
DE → BE
Chemnitz, Germany

Trainer network covering 80+ countries with dedicated Japan programs. Trainers across NL, Denmark, and Belgium. Strong in the DACH and Benelux corridors to Japan.

Cross-Cultural Training
Relocation Support
Country-Specific Coaching
Repatriation
Germany
Netherlands
Denmark
Belgium
Japan
German
English
Japanese

Japan Consulting Office (JCO)

Consultant
BE → NL
BE → DE
BE → FR
Brussels, Belgium

Only provider with a Netherlands office covering the Japan-Benelux corridor specifically. Bridges EU institutions and Japanese businesses. Strong in trade facilitation.

Japan Market Entry
Cross-Cultural Communication
Business Development
Trade Facilitation
Belgium
Netherlands
Germany
France
Switzerland
Japan
English
Japanese
Dutch
French
German

Commisceo Global

Consultant
London, UK

Strong online presence with comprehensive e-learning Japan courses. Good entry point for companies wanting self-paced cultural training before committing to workshops.

Online Cultural Training
E-Learning
Country Guides
Cultural Awareness
Global
English

PMC Japan

Consultant
Tokyo, Japan

50+ years of Japan market entry experience. Deep regulatory and compliance expertise. Helps companies establish operations and navigate Japanese business bureaucracy.

Market Entry
Business Development
Regulatory Compliance
Partnership Development
Japan
English
Japanese

Sakura Linkage

Consultant
LU → EU
LU → JP
LU → US
Luxembourg, Luxembourg

EU-Japan bridge agency based in Luxembourg. Combines market entry consulting with business matchmaking and translation services.

Japan Market Entry
Cross-Cultural Communication
Business Matchmaking
Translation
Luxembourg
Europe
Japan
USA
English
Japanese
French

One Day Japan (Kent Iida)

Trainer
Tokyo, Japan

Solo consultant offering focused one-day seminars on Japanese business culture. Uniform hourly rates for training and consulting. Practical, workshop-oriented approach.

Japanese Business Culture
Cross-Cultural Seminars
Corporate Training
Cultural Consulting
Japan
Global
English
Japanese

CultureWaves

Consultant
Dusseldorf, Germany

Network of 120+ trainers covering 80+ countries. Strong Japan programs. Extensive experience with German companies expanding to Japan.

Cross-Cultural Training
Intercultural Coaching
Relocation Support
Team Development
Global
German
English
Japanese

Aperian

Consultant
San Francisco, USA

Digital-first intercultural platform (GlobeSmart) covering 100+ countries. AI-powered cultural profiling and learning. Used by Fortune 500 companies.

Online Cultural Assessment
GlobeSmart Platform
Inclusive Leadership
Virtual Teams
Global
English
Japanese

Country Navigator

Consultant
London, UK

Online platform covering 100+ countries with cultural profiles, e-learning modules, and relocation briefings. Good for scaling cross-cultural training across large organizations.

Online Cultural Training
Relocation Support
Country Briefings
Cultural Assessment
Global
English

Shinka Management

Consultant
AU → JP
JP → AU
Gold Coast, Australia

Specializes in Japan study tours and lean manufacturing training. Unique angle combining cultural training with operational excellence and Toyota Production System expertise.

Lean Manufacturing
Toyota Production System
Japan Study Tours
Continuous Improvement
Australia
Japan
Global
English
Japanese

KIT Royal Tropical Institute

Trainer
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Prestigious Amsterdam institute offering intercultural communication training. Strong in development and global health contexts. Netherlands-based with global reach.

Intercultural Communication
Development Sector
Global Health
Sustainable Development
Netherlands
Global
English
Dutch

Clingendael Institute

Trainer
The Hague, Netherlands

Leading Dutch institute for international relations and diplomacy training. Based in The Hague. Offers cross-cultural competence programs for government and corporate clients.

Diplomacy Training
International Relations
Negotiation
Cross-Cultural Diplomacy
Netherlands
Global
English
Dutch

Szepko International

Consultant
JP → SE
JP → LA
JP → EU
Tokyo, Japan

Dual-based in New Jersey and Tokyo. Covers Japan, SE Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Multi-corridor expertise with a practical, business-first approach.

Japan Business Culture
SE Asia
Latin America
Executive Coaching
Japan
SE Asia
Latin America
Europe
USA
English
Japanese

Global Business Culture

Consultant
London, UK

UK-based provider with dedicated Japan business culture training page and e-learning modules. Clear service structure for corporate clients.

Japanese Business Culture
Cultural Awareness
E-Learning
Country Briefings
Global
English

Entercult (English & Intercultural)

Consultant
DE → JP
JP → DE
Dusseldorf, Germany

One of the few providers to publish pricing: EUR 1,550 + VAT per day. Combines language and intercultural training. Strong in the Germany-Japan corridor.

Cross-Cultural Training
Language Training
Business English
Japan Programs
Germany
Japan
Global
German
English
Japanese

J-Global

Consultant
Tokyo, Japan

Helps Japanese organizations go global. Reverse-corridor specialist: trains Japanese teams to work with international partners and customers.

Globalization Consulting
Japanese Corporate Culture
Leadership Development
Change Management
Japan
English
Japanese

Want to Join the Network?

We are always looking for qualified cross-cultural experts. Apply to be listed in the Silkdrive Expert Network.