Episode 57

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Published on:

30th Sep 2024

Behind the Koru: Air New Zealand’s Success and Challenges in Japan with Hiroaki Nagahara

Hiroaki (Hans)Nagahara is the Head of Japan for Air New Zealand. We enjoyed this wonderful discussion about our favorite destinations in New Zealand, the evolution of Air New Zealand's services, and the cultural nuances of doing business in Japan. Hans shares personal anecdotes from his extensive career in the aviation industry. This engaging conversation also covers the impact of COVID-19 on travel, the importance of understanding local market needs, and the challenges and opportunities in the airline industry. 

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In this episode you’ll hear:

  • How Air New Zealand has evolved since it landed in Japan
  • What customer satisfaction looks like in Japan for air travelers
  • The percentage of Japanese people who know Air New Zealand and how the airline markets itself to Japan
  • What’s happening with the extra capacity for Air New Zealand flights that has been announced

About Hiroaki (Hans)

Hiroaki (Hans) Nagahara first joined Air New Zealand in 1990 and was with the airline for 19 years before you took up the opportunity to join Finnair in 2009 as the CEO of the Japan office.  Hiroaki rejoined Air New Zealand as the Japan Branch head in January 2024.

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

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About the Podcast

Jandals in Japan
Bringing The Land of the Long White Cloud to The Land of the Rising Sun
The best show about New Zealanders doing business in Japan, bringing The Land of the Long White Cloud to The Land of the Rising Sun
How do you build a brand in Japan and nurture a loyal customer base?
What do you need to have in your tool belt if you are thinking of coming to Japan to launch a business here?
Japan is often considered to be in the "too hard" basket but we are here to open up the black box of doing business in Japan.
We will share stories from successful Kiwis selling their products and services here in Japan.
They'll tell you their tips for success and pitfalls to avoid.
They'll share their challenges and what they did to overcome them.
They will tell you things you can't find in textbooks or on the internet.
We will also be sharing the latest intel and insights on Japan from our on-the-ground presence
And you'll hear some super business culture and other tips from us sprinkled throughout.
Grab a glass of sake and let's get into it.
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About your hosts

Jayne Nakata

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Jayne Nakata is a Southland girl who arrived in Japan in 2002, planning to stay just two years. 20 years later she is still living in Fukushima Prefecture with her Japanese husband and two children. When the triple disaster hit in 2011, Jayne made the commitment to stay in Fukushima and contribute to rebuilding the area. She is the host of the award winning podcast Transformations with Jayne, which is a favourite with international women living in Japan. She is also the double award winning podcast producer and manager for PodLaunch with Jayne.

Catherine O’Connell

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Originally from Christchurch, Catherine O’Connell has lived in Japan since 2002 and has built a distinguished 23-year career as legal counsel in leading Japanese corporations. In 2018, she launched Catherine O’Connell Law, Tokyo’s first foreign female–founded boutique law firm, now a multi-award-winning practice.
Catherine is Vice Chair Emerita of the Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan (2012–2025) and currently serves as an Audit & Supervisory Board Member at Fujitsu Limited (2022–). She previously served on the Audit & Supervisory Board of Toyota Motor Corporation (2023–2025).
A trusted advisor to boards and coach/mentor to C-suite executives, Catherine helps leaders excel in the complex Japanese business environment with cross-cultural clarity and strategic insight.
Alongside co-hosting the Jandals in Japan Podcast, she is also the host of the award-winning Lawyer on Air Podcast, highlighting untold stories of women in law in Japan.