Cultural Brand Strategist: Managing expectations across borders. Bridging the gap between Western brand identity and Japanese cultural reality, backed by three decades of technical, creative, and marketing leadership.
Brand Audit: Kawahiro — How a Chinese-Made Knife Brand Fabricates Japanese Identity to Capture Premium Pricing Independent Cultural & Strategic AssessmentGreg Taniguchi Brand Audit Executive Summary Kawahiro is a mass-produced kitchen knife brand manufactured in Yangjiang, China (a major hub for cutlery production). Despite its entirely Chinese origin, operations, and ownership structure, the brand employs … Continue reading Brand Audit: Kawahiro
Brand Audit: Japanese Ramen Chains and Restaurants in the U.S. Market – Proliferation, Authenticity Standards, and Risks of Dilution ObjectiveThis audit examines the development of Japanese ramen in the United States. It reviews the category’s early establishment, subsequent expansion, variability in technical execution, and the differing approaches to market engagement and business operations that have … Continue reading Brand Audit: Japanese Ramen Chains and Restaurants in the U.S. Market