INSIGHTS & MEDIA

The Japanese Government’s 2020 Response to COVID-19
Langley Esquire is pleased to release the COVID Report 2020. Over the course of the last year, we have been tracking the Japanese government’s economic and public health response to the new coronavirus pandemic.

Public Policy Updates – January 2021
This month’s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Finance, Energy, Technology and Healthcare.

Follow the Money: Understanding Suga’s Priorities in Japan’s Next Record Budget
Japan’s Ministry of Finance will soon release the budget for the fiscal year that begins next April. The spending package has taken on added significance with the new coronavirus pandemic weighing on the economy. The budget will also offer a look at how seriously the Suga administration is pursuing its stated priorities, such as advancing digitization and advanced communications.

Event Review — Solving Society’s Challenges: The Future of Digital Reform
On 11/26/2020, Langley Esquire hosted a seminar, “Solving Japan’s Social Issues: the Status of Digital Reform,” with our partners Public-Private Collaboration Research Institute and Public Affairs Japan. This event was held in Japanese and featured experts from all sectors of society. They discussed Japan’s ongoing push for greater digitization, and what roles the national and local governments, academia and the private sector should play.

Public Policy Updates – December 2020
This month’s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Energy, Healthcare, Technology and Diplomacy.

My Memory of George H. W. Bush
I was fortunate to spend an entire week in close-quarters with America’s 41st president during his first visit to Japan after leaving office.

Seminar on Solving Society’s Challenges: The Future of Digital Reform
EVENT ALERT — Langley Esquire is pleased to partner with Public-Private Collaboration Research Institute and Public Affairs Japan to host “Solving Japan’s Social Issues: the Status of Digital Reform,” an online event focusing on Japan’s digital transformation.

Public Policy Updates – November 2020
This month’s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Cryptocurrency, Technology and Energy.

The Digital Agency— Why Japan’s most Recent Modernization Push Is Serious
Suga to have a digital agency up and running by the end of 2021. Each ministry previously tackled digitization independently, leading to varying levels of success and end products, and no standardized administrative framework. The new agency will coordinate and unify efforts to modernize government services.

Langley Esquire K.K. and Transnational Strategy Group Forge Business Alliance to provide Japan-U.S. Policy Advisory Service
New service will assist firms in Japan and the U.S. to enter each other’s markets and understand and shape policy environments.

Japan’s Smart Cities Promise New Tie-Ups with High-Tech Firms
In June the Japanese Diet passed legislation governing the creation and management of smart cities — urban centers that use cutting-edge technology to improve livability and convenience.

Japan Slowly Rolls Back Entry Restrictions for Foreign Nationals
International travel has ground to a standstill because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To slow the spread of the virus, since April 2020 Japan, more than other G7 nations, has implemented stringent entry requirements for foreign nationals.

Public Policy Updates – October 2020
This month’s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in Technology, Finance and Energy.

Suga Cabinet Profiles 2020
The new cabinet was formed by Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide on September 16, 2020. With a lot of familiar faces at familiar posts, the Suga cabinet contains few surprises. It is a clear indication of Suga’s commitment to maintain Abe-era policies and priorities.

Abe’s Legacy: Japan Transformed After Eight Years in Office
Despite his victories, Abe’s success could never match his ambition, and he leaves office with several objectives unfulfilled. Nonetheless, he leaves Japan changed in ways both big and small.

Behind The Curtain Of Policymaking In Japan
Langley Esquire Vice President Yutaka Matsuzaki reflects on more than 20 years’ experience as a policy secretary in the Diet, with lawmakers that include former Minister of Justice Yasuoka Okiharu and former Representative Koike Yuriko, currently the Tokyo Metropolitan Governor.

Japan’s relations with China and the U.S. under Suga
Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide is the clear frontrunner in the race to succeed Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, and he has portrayed himself as the continuity candidate.

Financial Support for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the economy, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and sole proprietors. In this article we will explain several types of available subsidies, and their eligibility requirements.

CEO Featured on Cover of August 2020 Issue of Eurobiz Japan
Timothy Langley, CEO of Langley Esquire, was interviewed for the August 2020 issue of Eurobiz Japan, the business magazine of the European Business Council (EBC) and EU Chamber of Commerce in Japan.

Public Policy Updates – September 2020
This month’s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in the Technology, Defense, Finance and Energy.

Discovering the Key Link in Japanese Policymaking
Understanding and accessing the civil service is crucial to successful government relations in Japan. Career bureaucrats at the government agencies and ministries are among the most influential policymakers in the country.

Mr. Langley Goes to Tokyo — a History of Politics & Advocacy in Japan
Langley Esquire’s CEO & representative director Timothy Langley reflects upon his experience in the Japanese National Diet working alongside former Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama.

Government of Japan Policy Updates – August 2020
This month’s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in the energy, technology and cryptocurrency industries.

Why a Second Tokyo Shutdown Is Unlikely – Politics Behind the Pandemic
Even as Tokyo and its surroundings face a steady increase in cases, there is little indication from either the national or prefectural government that another state of emergency is imminent.

Government of Japan Policy Updates – July 2020
This month’s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in the data, technology, finance and defense industries.

Government of Japan Policy Updates – June 2020
This month’s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments in the fields of finance, technology and foreign affairs.

Langley Esquire and Public-Private Collaboration Research Institute to partner in driving regional development
Langley Esquire, a public affairs consulting firm which resolves social and regulatory issues for international companies in Japan, and Public-Private Collaboration Research Institute, an organization dedicated to urban development, signed a business partnership agreement on May 18, 2020.

Government of Japan Policy Updates – May 2020
This month’s edition of Policy Radar focuses on policy developments as a result of COVID-19 in Finance, Healthcare, Energy, Labor and Integrated Resorts.

Policy Update April 2020
COVID-19 in Japan: Here’s what you need to know so far. This month’s edition of Policy Radar focuses on Data, Finance, Cryptocurrency, and Agriculture.

Reducing Headcount in Corporate Japan
Langley Esquire President & CEO Timothy Langley was featured in the July 2019 issue of the ACCJ Journal on a publication focused on reducing headcount in Corporate Japan. Foreign companies frequently run afoul of best-practices in Japan, resulting in damage to brand reputation and in the worst case, labor disputes.

Business Ethics in Japan
Langley Esquire President & CEO Timothy Langley was quoted in the January 2020 issue of the ACCJ Journal for a piece on business ethics. Timothy emphasizes the need for creating frameworks that serve society as a whole, by achieving healthy cooperation between government, business, and the rest of society.

Langley Esquire K.K. and Vector, Inc. Forge Business Alliance
Langley Esquire K.K. and comprehensive PR firm Vector, Inc. entered into a business alliance that leverages the strengths of both companies in the field of public affairs.

Why Hiring the Right Country Manager is Essential — Especially in Japan
Oftentimes Japanese offices have huge problems communicating with the head office overseas. How do you manage your Japanese branch office?

EU-Japan Relations | Mission Japan
The EU Ambassador H.E. Patricia Flor, sheds light on the recently signed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the lesser-known Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), data protection, and how Brexit will likely affect EU-Japan relations.

How to Not End Up Like Carlos Ghosn
Nissan is witnessing a fallout following the aftermath of the Ghosn scandal and is still scrambling to recover. Annual operating sales are at a decade-long low and consumers continue to lose confidence in the automaker as further issues unravel.

Integrated Resorts in japan
Casino legislation has just passed in the most recent Diet session. Now the bureaucrats must finalize the contents of the basic Integrated Resorts (IRs) regulations.

The Boogeyman of Government Affairs
Government Affairs Best Practices in Japan The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is a U.S. bill passed in 1977, designed

Japan Israel Relations | Mission Japan
Startup culture is buzzing, and business between Israel and Japan is flourishing through initiatives such as the Japan-Israel Innovation Network (JIIN).

Corporate Crisis Management – Brand 2020
How do international corporations deal with inept or under-performing Japanese subsidiaries? What do you do if a rogue CEO is embezzling funds from the company?

Mission Japan: Mexico
Our new series begins with Mexico, highlighting the history of its embassy and diplomatic mission in Japan. Cultural attaché, Emmanuel Trinidad, takes Tim on a deep dive into Mexico’s initial exposure to Japan through frequented trade routes, the establishment of the legation, and the development of relations over time.

Lobbying in Japan
David and Timothy dive into the inner workings of lobbying in Japan. Learn how foreign firms can achieve results through advocacy.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Japan – Brand 2020
Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Japan Japan has seen a resurgence of enthusiasm in its startup community over the past few