これまでも海外（アジア地区）で、6冊ほど拙著の翻訳書が出版されている。昨年は、『「値付け」の思考法』（日本実業出版）が台湾で出版されている。そのおかげなのだろう。台湾から、日本企業の価格決定についてインタビューの申し出があった。ジャーナリストの方が訪日するついでにインタビューさせてほしいとのこと。受諾するつもりでいる。以下に、リクエストの英文を添付する。
たくさんの本を出版していると、こういったことが起こるものだ。仕事の機会を広げる努力をしている成果である。
今週は、SPRING（サービス産業生産性協議会）からも、特集号で「価格決定」についてインタビューを！という申し出があった。時間をおいても、時流に乗るとヒットはする。拙著は、電子本でも160部ほど売れている。価格改定の時代が、いま到来しているからだろう。
これから、新潟県長岡市まで岩塚製菓を訪問する。午後から、工場見学と槇春夫社長のインタビューが予定されている。『米を洗う』の著者、辻中俊樹さんとのご縁である。たまたま頂いた本の書評を、このブログに書いたことがきっかけだった。
どちらにしても、こうした御縁を大切にせねば、、、
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Dear Professor Ogawa,
Hope this email finds you well. I am Joyce Lin, a reporter at the CommonWealth Magazine (天下雜誌) based in Taiwan. I’m writing to invite you for an interview on the pricing strategy of Japanese business.
CommonWealth Magazine (天下雜誌) is the most renowned financial magazine in Taiwan, with a large readership among Taiwan’s business and policy leaders. Our impact goes beyond Taiwan, reaching overseas Chinese communities and English readers. (Further information below)
We are doing a cover story on the innovation of Japanese businesses, and is going to visit Tokyo next week. We have noticed Japanese retail and service brands adhere to high quality while competing with relatively low prices. They shed off unnecessary costs, while providing high quality service in their core business. These Japanese brands had become household names in Taiwan, such as Uniqlo, QB House and JINS.
You are the expert on marketing and pricing strategy of Japanese business. Your book 「値付け」の思考法 has illuminated logic and competitive edge behind low-price strategy employed by Japanese business. We believe your insight is crucial for us to understand Japanese businesses and their innovations. It would be a great pleasure if we can have this interview with you.
The following is an outline of the interview:
1.For international consumers, Japanese brands are known for offering high-quality and low-price service at the same time. Why do you think that has become a notable feature of Japanese businesses?
2.Economists have often described Japan as suffering from stagnant growth and weak consumption. What impact does this macro-economic environment have on Japanese businesses?
3.Abenomics had unleashed an era of weak yen. How does weak yen impact the service and retail industry in Japan? How does weak yen shape business strategy?
4.What are some new trends emerging from Japanese service and retail businesses?
Here are some preliminary details for you to look over:
Tentative Schedule for Interview： 6/13-6/24, about 60 min
Interview Format：In person interview
Language: Japanese or English
Journalists：Joyce Lin (senior writer), Karen Shih (Japanese speaking reporter)
Expected Outcome：cover story on CommonWealth Magazine’s print and online edition
Please kindly indicate a couple of time slots for the interview, and let us know if you have any questions regarding the interview. We look forward to hearing back from you!
Best Regards,
Joyce
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About the Journalists:
Joyce Lin, senior writer at CommonWealth magazine, has 10+ years of experience working in business and tech media, specializing in new technology and new business models.
She has interviewed prominent figures such as Reed Hastings, co-founder & CEO of Netflix; Thomas Friedman, New York Times Op-Ed columnist; Tim Berners Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web; and Jim Collins, the author of From good to great.
She previously worked as an executive editor at CoinDesk China and senior reporter at MIT Technology Review China. She was nominated for International News Reporting award at the 14th Excellent Journalism Award(Taiwan) in 2015.
About CommonWealth Magazine:
Founded in 1981, CommonWealth Magazine(https://english.cw.com.tw) saw itself as a “business magazine with compassion”. It was the first magazine in Taiwan to rigorously engage in business journalism, and was described by the New York Times as a magazine that mirrors the growth of Taiwan.
The publication has chronicled Taiwan’s economic triumphs, the ups and downs of its leading enterprises, changes in its systems, and the price of unbridled growth.
The solid, sober reporting has helped CommonWealth Magazine garner more than 200 domestic and international awards, including SOPA (Society of Publishers in Asia) honors, Golden Tripod awards and Excellent Journalism awards.
