In this episode of the FocusCore Podcast, host David Sweet interviews entrepreneur Ernest Higa, Representative Director of First Kitchen Ltd. and Wendy's, founder of Domino’s Pizza Japan and chairman/CEO of Higa Industries, about building and leading businesses in Japan. Ernest argues that “scale” must now be global and that business life cycles are shortening, making longevity a key criterion when selecting brands. He explains the need to “think global, act local” without “going too native,” describing how Domino’s Japan required product, service, and menu innovation to match Japanese expectations for quality, hospitality, and variety. He discusses persuading US headquarters amid cultural gaps, noting there is no “cultural interpreter,” and illustrates supply-chain localization through developing preservative-free pepperoni and sausage to meet Japanese regulations and MOQs. Ernest also covers Japan’s evolving corporate governance, board effectiveness, diversity, entrepreneurial pitfalls like tax structure, leadership adaptability, post-COVID consumer recovery, inbound tourism growth, and his positive outlook for Japan’s economy.
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In this episode you will hear:
- The importance of adapting global business models to local markets
- How Ernest Higa navigated the challenges of introducing American food brands to Japan
- Cultural nuances impacting boardroom dynamics in Japan vs. the U.S.
- Key factors in choosing and managing leadership for international ventures
- Why understanding cultural differences is crucial for bridging gaps with headquarters
- Japan’s shifting economy and its impact on the global business market
About Ernest:
Ernest Higa is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Higa Industries Co., Ltd., Chairman and Representative Director of First Kitchen Ltd. and Wendy's. He is also a Director of Delsole Corporation (a publicly listed company), and Chairman of the Board of Councilors of the US- Japan Council and Advisor to the Commissioner of the Ministry of Culture. He also serves on the board of the Asian Cultural Council Japan Foundation, Temple University Japan, and Showa Women’s University. In 1985, he founded Domino’s Pizza Japan and became the largest international franchisee at that time, (he sold it in 2010). In 1990, he was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the New Business Conference, and in 1998, he was awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture for “innovation in the food industry” and recognized by Toyo Keizai as one of the top 50 entrepreneurs in Japan. He earned his MBA from Columbia Business School and his B.S. from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania.
Connect with Ernest:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernest-ernie-higa-06750b22/
Higa Industries: https://www.higaind.jp/en/
Connect with David Sweet:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp
Facebook: :https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/
Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/
This podcast was proudly produced by Lisa Yasuda.
“Doin’ the Uptown Lowdown,” used by permission of Christopher Davis-Shannon. To find out more, check out www.thetinman.co. Support independent musicians and artists.
