Failure or Fuel : the key to transforming Japan’s entrepreneurial mindset

How do you consider failure ?

My first company ended after one year with a big check and … a burn-out

My second company came to a natural halt with the birth of the 3rd one

My 3rd company started after my encounter with sandrine Monette, my  business partner.

Lucky me, I had learned that mistakes and failure are part of the learning process. 

In Japan's collectivist society, where conformity, harmony and social cohesion are highly valued, experiencing failure in a business venture can be particularly stigmatizing

Entrepreneurs who encounter setbacks or bankruptcy may feel a sense of shame and embarrassment, as it reflects negatively on their reputation and social standing.

By reframing failure as a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey, we can challenge the stigma and fear associated with it in Japanese society. Shifting cultural perceptions to view failure as a valuable learning experience empowers individuals to take calculated risks and pursue innovative ventures without fear of judgement or shame.

  • Embracing failure builds resilience, grit, and perseverance. 
  • Embracing failure brings opportunities for iteration and improvement.
  • Embracing failure encourages experimentation, creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.

As an entrepreneur, which failure made you grow the most ?

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal : It is the courage to continue that counts.”

Winston Churchill