SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This research presents the following research questions. First, what kind of "Japanese entrepreneur image" can bring out Japan's predominance in the global society? In Japan, there are only a few innovators who break away from conventional methods, by possessing innovative ideas that create new values, mobilizing the necessary resources, and building new mechanisms while adapting to change. Especially, there are notably few innovators who can play an active role globally. Second, what is the entrepreneurial education system? In order to understand a useful system for creating globally active innovators from Japan, first of all, it is necessary to grasp the specific innovation capabilities required of Japanese people. Therefore, this paper examines how Japanese entrepreneurs active in foreign markets were able to build a predominance in overseas markets and bring about innovation, even though they were small in scale and how it was possible to grow the local organizations (enterprises) sustainably. In order to shed light on these matters, the study conducts a case study by looking at the case of Company K, which was founded by a Japanese transnational entrepreneur who immigrated to the United States. From the analysis of the case study, this paper attempts to clarify the actual facts from the quest for business opportunities of transnational entrepreneurs to market development, and from the bankruptcy crisis to the growth of the company organization. Using the clarification of these facts as a key, the causes that enable transnational entrepreneurs to create innovation overseas and to survive their organizations in foreign markets are being examined. In addition to presenting an image of an innovator unique to the Japanese, who can play an active role in the global society, the innovation capabilities required for entrepreneurship education in Japan are also suggested.