Alex Kane: Movember

Bryn Rowdon is the Corporate Communications General Manager for Fonterra's North Asia region. We uncover the fascinating story of how New Zealand's iconic dairy cooperative is not only a leading B2B supplier in one of the world's most discerning markets but also helping local dairy farmers to create more sustainable and profitable farms.

New Zealand dairy products and ingredients are now part of Japanese bento, coffee creamers, cheeses and morning toast to name a few, listen in to hear more about Fonterra and how they are doing business in Japan.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Bryn’s bumpy road on the Japanese learning journey turned into a career in Japan
• How Fonterra operates as a B2B company in Japan and the surprising products that contain Fonterra ingredients
• The transformation happening in Japanese dairy farming and how Fonterra is helping to lead the charge
• The critical importance of patience and local partnerships when entering the market in Japan

About Bryn

Bryn Rowdon is the Corporate Communications General Manager for Fonterra’s North Asia region (Japan & South Korea).

He is responsible for the implementation of the region’s sustainability Global Road map, managing stakeholder relations to effectively promote Fonterra's sustainability proposition to North Asia's customers and consumers. His team also manages Legal, Compliance, CSR and Corporate Affairs.

His previous roles have included Corporate Planning GM, responsible for managing Strategic and Integrated Business Planning and Corporate Affairs as well as North Asia Operations GM, where he managed the Logistics & Sales Operations teams.

Links

Fonterra Japan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fonterra.jp/

Alex Kane’s Movember Fundraising page: https://movember.com/m/14341735?mc=1

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

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan...

From the Māori All Blacks to the Ricoh Black Rams in Tokyo, Tabai Matson (Tabs) has coached rugby on multiple continents—and Japan has taught him some of his most valuable lessons.

We build on our learnings from top leaders as Tabs shares his cultural context knowledge with us that is also effective outside of locker rooms and scrums. You’ll be inspired to try your hand at your own version of the “head coach” persona whether it’s in business, sports or daily life in Japan or Aotearoa for that matter.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Tabs’ journey from player/coach to head coach of the Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo
• Why TJ Perenara is captain this season and the fantastic example he is in the team and as a “negotiator” on the field
• The unique challenge for coaching staff due to Japan’s traditional rugby pathways
• Tab’s favourite Japanese proverb, treat from the conbini on treat night and a go to karaoke song

About Tabai

Tabai Matson (Tabs) is Head Coach of the Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo, a team competing in the Japan Rugby League One tournament.

Born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand his rugby journey has spanned continents, from pulling on the black jersey for the All Blacks and representing Fiji at the Rugby World Cup, to playing and coaching for Shizuoka Blue Revs (formerly Yamaha Motor Júbilo) here in Japan.

He has built an extraordinary coaching career as Canterbury’s ITM Cup championship head coach, Crusaders and Chiefs assistant coach in Super Rugby, Head Coach at Bath Rugby in England, and the first non-Māori to coach the Māori All Blacks.

His path has taken him across five nations, two Rugby World Cups, and over 300 professional games coached.

Now based in Tokyo Tabs has come full circle - returning to Japan not only to coach but to immerse himself once again in the culture he calls “a place of strength and beauty.”

Connect with Tabai

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabai-matson-969846134/

Links

Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo http://blackrams-tokyo.com/

Blue Lock Anime: https://bluelock-anime-en.com/

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

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

Instagram:

Meet Aaron Astle, whose remarkable family story connects two nations across time. As a descendant of Noda Asajiro - believed to be the first Japanese person to set foot in New Zealand in the late 1800s - Aaron brings a unique perspective to living in Japan. From growing up in Auckland immersed in Te Ao Māori to making music and studying Japanese in Osaka, Aaron shares his journey of cultural discovery and connection.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan in the box below.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you will hear:

• The incredible story of Noda Asajiro: how a 10 year old Japanese boy accidentally became a stowaway and ended up marrying into Māori royalty
• Striking similarities between Māori and Japanese languages
• Why Aaron felt instantly at home in Japan
• Aaron's musical journey and his upcoming single called "The Night Our Stars Fell"

About Aaron

Born to an American mother and Māori father in Auckland, New Zealand, Aaron Astle (Tainui iwi) has spent his life in love with his whakapapa Māori that he inherited from his father’s side. Since a very young age, at every turn Aaron has taken any opportunity to share Te Ao Māori with those wanting to engage with it. From teaching kapa haka, running cultural workshops with his father to eventually taking it into the corporate space as the Cultural Capability Lead for Vodafone NZ, alongside his role as a Solution Architect. Shifting gears to follow his childhood dream, Aaron moved to Japan in 2023 where he has since been immersing himself in the new culture, studying the language, making and performing music, and lastly drawing closer to his roots that also happen to lead back to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Links:

Banpaku Kouen Expo Park: https://www.expo70-park.jp/

Kiwi House http://www.kiwihouse.jp/

El Pancho https://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270201/27001670/

Aaron’s Music: https://aeonaltars.bandcamp.com/community

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

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan