Japan
Where Are All the Entrepreneurs Gone in Japan?
For a nation that once boasted the likes of Sony, Toyota and Mitsubishi as its entrepreneurial heralds, Japan’s entrepreneurial record in the new millennium is surprisingly sparse. Indeed, entrepreneurs in Japan have become the exception rather than the norm. Common problems faced by aspiring entrepreneurs include the lack of venture capital, labyrinthine government regulations, and the dominance of large companies. Yet for all these factors, it takes two hands to clap – you need both an environment conducive to startups as well as people who aspire to be entrepreneurs.
How to Be an Entrepreneur on Your Own Terms: Interview with JetPens.com Co-founder Adrian Mak
JetPens.com is the leading online retailer of Japanese pens, pencils, and stationery. Started in 2004 with an initial investment of $9,000 from its three founders, the company managed to achieve profitability after two years, without any additional financing. Because JetPen's founders never had to sell any equity to outside investors, the three founding partners have retained autonomy over the business and its profits and have shaped the organization to fit their personal goals.
