Japanese Distribution Strategy

Japanese distribution has been a major issue of concern for policymakers, business executives and academics internationally. Business executives around the world have complained for decades that Japan's distribution system is essentially closed and does not permit external access to the Japanese market. Japanese business executives themselves, as well as Japanese government officials, have begun to introduce measures to open these distribution channels.

Michael R. Czinkota is one of the foremost experts on international business and marketing in the world. His insights and counsel are frequently sought by the media, global companies and governments all over the world. He is a frequent speaker on issues related to trade, trade policy and global business strategies. He has served in the U.S. Government as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce, where he was responsible for trade analysis, support of trade negotiations and retaliatory actions, and policy coordination for international finance, investment, and monetary affairs. He currently serves on the faculty of The McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University.

Masaaki Kotabe is the Washburn Chair of International Business and Marketing and Director of Research at the Institute of Global Management Studies at Temple University. He also serves as the Vice President of the Academy of International Business.

Dr. Kotabe lectures regularly at various business schools around the world, including Germany, Finland, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Indonesia, and Turkey. He is also an active consultant for AT&T, NEC, Philips, Sony, and Ito-Yokado (parent company of 7-Eleven stores).

Dr. Kotabe's scholarly activities include numerous publications and participation on several editorial boards. Recently, he was ranked as the most contributing international business researcher in the world in the last ten years.