We cross swords/minds with Graham Sayer, a 7th dan Kyoshi kendo practitioner, former president of the New Zealand Kendo Federation and recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun.

Graham has been a huge supporter of Jandals in Japan Podcast from its early days and we are thrilled that he agreed to join us to share his wealth of experience in both kendo and business between Japan and New Zealand. Listen to hear more about this fascinating martial art that changed the trajectory of Graham’s life.

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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:

• What Japan was like in the bubble era of the late 70s and early 80s
• Loyalty and the challenge of switching martial arts codes in Japan
• How learnings from kendo can take you into the business world
• Japan’s timber industry and why Graham is selling timber to New Zealand

About Graham

Graham Sayer: Kiwi spirit, global horizons

Graham grew up in Taranaki and in 1978, at 20 years of age, headed to Japan to chase his dream of getting a black belt in judo. A knee injury rerouted him to kendo which then became a lifelong passion, sparking a career blending entrepreneurship and cultural exchange. Graham founded a trading venture as well as running a private English school for children in Kyoto before returning to NZ in 1985 to raise his family.

Graham has been involved in many different businesses over the years including, importing wooden toys (into Japan) and cultured pearls (into NZ). He also ran a joint venture with a Japanese company, building a small chain of four photo/camera stores in Auckland as well as launching Escapepods motorhomes, and lastly, was a manufacturer and distributor of rota-moulded fishing kayaks in Japan.

Graham now focuses on Japanese timber exports and supporting his wife’s kendo travel business.

Graham was Kendo President, NZ Kendo Federation for 33 years as well as Auditor for the International Kendo Federation (present). He co-founded the Auckland Kendo club in 1988 which today is NZ’s largest Kendo club. In 2022, he was awarded Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun for services to cultural ties between Japan and New Zealand via the art of Kendo.

Today, he spends his time between Japan and NZ - embracing simplicity, tradition, and new ventures.

Connect with Graham

Kendo: https://akc.org.nz/

Kendo Tours: www.kendotours.com

Timber: www.japaneselumber.com

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

If you are a long term resident in Japan and consider yourself to be a cultural bridge builder, then this episode is a must listen for you. Sean O’Connell, Professor and Director of the International Center at Nanzan University, is about to drop some gold nuggets in your lap on how you can ace being an even better cross-cultural bridge builder. This is the jandal you have been looking for.

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 the Karate Kid kicked off Sean’s interest in the martial arts and the Japanese language
• Sean’s tips for also successfully interpreting feeling and nuance between Japanese and English counterparts
• The biggest culture shock moment for people new to business in Japan
• Bringing Sean’s skills in bridge building to life at his bar, The Hungry Moose
• Why Sean loves the Jandals in Japan Podcast!

About Sean

Sean has a passion for bridging cultures, and has spent decades (30+ years in Japan alone) immersed in Japanese language, business, and the like. After an exchange year in Yokohama in 1986, he earned a BA in Japanese, an MA in Advanced Japanese Studies, and a PhD in Intercultural Business Communication. Sean’s career has taken him from guiding and managing Japanese tours in New Zealand, and business interpreting and translation in Japan to corporate training, where he specialises in preparing expats and fostering multicultural teamwork.

Sean is a Professor and Director of the International Center at Nanzan University in Nagoya. In his free time you can find him at the bar he co-founded, The Hungry Moose.

Connect with Sean

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-o-connell-8294b071/

Links:

The Hungry Moose: https://www.thehungrymoose.jp/en

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

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

LinkedIn: 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

Rebecca Thorn is the Kiwi General Manager of the hugely popular Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya. Rebecca shares insights into the hotel's unique blend of neighborhood culture, innovative team dynamics, and creative initiatives, showing that innovation is alive and well in Japan’s hospitality industry. The episode is a deep dive into the vision and strategies that have led to the hotel's success, capped off with exciting upcoming collaborations and events. If you are considering a career in the hospitality industry in Japan, this is an episode not to be missed.

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 Rebecca inspires her team to try new ideas, including finding a way to make waffles shaped like “Hachiko” the famous dog who waited for its master at Shibuya station
• The design, fashion, music and art themes that run through all aspects of the hotel
• How Rebecca is building a diverse and inclusive team in Japan
• The Kilimanjaro Strategy that her team is talking about

About Rebecca

Rebecca, a proud Kiwi, is the General Manager of Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya, which opened in August 2023. She has been loving living and working in Tokyo now for over 5 years. This year marks 19 years with IHG, the company which she has had the opportunity to work in 7 different hotels across 4 different countries with.

Connect with Rebecca

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-thorn-65b49940/

Links:

Rebecca’s First Episode #33: https://www.jandalsinjapan.com/episode/thirthy-three/

Personal/work Instagram - @rebecca_thorn_

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-thorn-65b49940/

Hotel Instagram - @hotelindigotokyoshibuya

Hotel LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/hotelindigotokyoshibuya/posts/?feedView=al l

Hotel Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HotelIndigoTokyoShibuya/

Hotel website - https://www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/shibuyaku/hndsh/hoteldetail

Gallery 11 Restaurant: https://gallery11.jp/

Vinyl market in Tokyo: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2025/03/08/lifestyle/vinyl-records-japan-overseas-buyers/

Hachiko: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D

Hachi...