We Need A New GM in Japan... AGAIN!

Why do so many leadership searches in Japan end exactly where they started? Organizations consistently tell executive search firms that they are looking for leaders who can drive growth, accelerate transformation, and foster innovation. Yet despite significant investment in recruitment, many leadership appointments fail to deliver the outcomes that companies expected. Is the challenge a shortage of executive talent? Or is it a mismatch between what organizations want and what the Japanese market can realistically provide? In the latest episode of the Gianni Cossar Japanese Leadership Series: Inside Japan – Business Insights, Maya Matsuoka sits down with Gianni Cossar and Elsie (Yan) Zhang, Senior Client Partner and Head of Life Sciences & Healthcare Practice Japan at Korn Ferry, for an in-depth conversation about leadership, talent, and executive hiring in Japan. Together, they explore some of the questions that continue to frustrate both local and international organizations: • Why do leadership searches often fail to achieve their objectives? • Why do some companies repeatedly replace their General Managers? • What do international headquarters frequently misunderstand about the realities of leading in Japan? • Why are strong candidates sometimes overlooked? • What distinguishes successful GM appointments from unsuccessful ones? Drawing on perspectives from both executive search and executive leadership, the discussion examines the expectations, assumptions, and organizational dynamics that shape leadership success in Japan. If your organization is navigating growth, transformation, succession planning, or leadership development in Japan, you might find this conversation informative and helpful in tackling one of the market's most persistent challenges. We go on air on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, 8:00 AM JST. Join us for what promises to be a thought-provoking discussion from both sides of the leadership equation.