Conversation with Takami Founder Yuji Okamura

What does it take to disrupt the Japanese market as a new startup? How can you beat entrenched Japanese competitors at their own game? How can you bypass Japanese department stores to succeed in prestige and luxury retail? How do you develop long-term relationships with Japanese consumers based on understanding and mutual trust?

If you would like the answers to these questions and more, join us for a conversation with Yuji Okamura, Takami founder and executive adviser to L’Oréal Japan CEO, where you can ask him yourself.

Okamura founded Japanese skincare product company Takami in 1999, innovating an omnichannel approach, selling directly to consumers online using a subscription model, and disrupted the prestigious skincare market and industry in Japan. He defied conventional wisdom that retail success relies on department stores and wholesalers in distribution, growing revenue to more than $60 million by 2019. The company continued to grow even during the Covid-19 pandemic that began in 2020 while incumbent competitors experienced negative growth or, worse, losses.

In 2021, French cosmetics and skincare giant L’Oréal acquired Takami, whose brand is now globally situated within L’Oréal Luxe. In Japan, Takami’s business continues to grow while remaining faithful to its direct-to-consumer roots and eschewing department-store distribution, even today.

This event is the latest instalment in the popular Conversation With series. ACCJ Independent Business Committee co-chair Steven Bleistein will begin an on-stage conversation with Okamura, partway through which the audience will be invited to join. Ample time will be allotted for questions from the audience.

No slides and no speeches. Just lively discussion, your questions, and lots of business wisdom. If you are a manager involved in any kind of Japan market expansion or development, or a leader looking to grow your business with gusto, this event is not to be missed.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Time:  12:00-14:00 (in-person);
            12:55-14:00 (virtual)
Venue: Tokyo American Club, Manhattan Room (B2F)
Fee: JPY 4,700 SpCCJ members / JPY 8,100 non-members
(this includes drinks and finger food)

Seats for SpCCJ are limited to 10, first come first serve.

The deadline for registration is Thursday, April 13, 2023 (17:00)  or when seats are full.

Organize and co-organize: American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan; Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Japan

Registration for this event is closed.