After several years of passing over Japan, Silicon Valley companies have rediscovered Japan, the world’s #3 IT market. While interest in Japan’s mobile content market remains robust, in recent years more enterprise-focused companies such as in the SaaS, adtech and storage market have all entered the Japanese market, and Japan is now a regular part of the Silicon Valley growth startup’s maturation arc.  Presenter Jon Metzler will highlight recent examples of companies entering the Japanese market, and introduce how today’s startups are thoughtful when it comes to Japan entry.
 

Jon Metzler is Founder and President of Blue Field Strategies, a San Francisco-based consulting firm supporting US and Asian telecom and media clients with market, policy and strategic consulting services, with a focus on innovation acceleration.
Prior to founding Blue Field, Jon was Business Development Director at Rosum Corporation, a location technology company based in Silicon Valley. At Rosum he drove business development in telecom and defense markets, and also was responsible for government affairs.
Prior to joining Rosum, Jon was Vice President at Performance Analysis, Inc. (PAI), a consulting firm specializing in business development in Japan for US technology companies.
While living in Japan, Jon held positions at leading media firms such as Asahi Shimbun Publications, Tokyo Broadcasting System, and CBS News.
Jon completed his MBA/MA-Asian Studies at the Haas School of Business. There, he co-founded the Berkeley Asia Business Conference, and authored a thesis comparing venture creation in Silicon Valley and Japan. Jon also has a B.A. from the University of Michigan in Japanese and Asian Studies.
Jon and his wife and children make their home in San Francisco, where he is a member of the board of San Francisco’s Stern Grove Festival Association.
Twitter: @jonjmetz
 
Discussion moderated by Rochelle Kopp, Managing Principal, Japan Intercultural Consulting.
 
Online registration:

• $10 for Students (Please show ID at time of check-in)
• $15 for Japan Society Members
• $20 for Nonmembers
• Online registration closes at 2:00 pm on Monday, February 24
• CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

 
Walk-ins:

• $25 per person for all tickets
• Tickets will be dependent on space availability. 

 
Schedule:

• 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM       Networking/Registration 
• 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM       Presentation 
• 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM       Networking

Light appetizers and drinks provided.
 
Transportation and Directions
The Palo Alto office is a half-mile walk from the California Avenue Caltrain station. Both San Francisco International Airport and San Jose International Airport are 30 minutes away by car.
 
Parking Information
Ample free visitor parking is available near the front entrance of the building.