Since February 2020, Warsaw has become a strategic hub on the map of Japanese investment. Koichiro Shimamori, the European Representative of the Japanese HR giant Mynavi, has argued for years that Poland is a key partner for the Land of the Rising Sun. However, for this cooperation to fully flourish and withstand growing competition, Polish entrepreneurs must take the initiative. How can we combine Japanese meticulousness with Polish dynamism?
The Japanese Perspective: Poland as a European Hub for IT Talent
Koichiro Shimamori, a graduate of prestigious universities, has been building bridges between Japan and Poland for years. In his analyses for the Japanese market, he highlights three main factors that led to the choice of Warsaw as Mynavi’s first European base:
High potential of human resources: The tradition of rigorous STEM education, established in previous eras, now yields outstanding specialists in data analysis and cybersecurity.
Cost-effectiveness: Compared to Scandinavian and Western European markets, Poland offers exceptional quality of service while maintaining highly competitive rates.
Geographical convenience: Warsaw serves as an excellent hub, providing access to markets ranging from Scandinavia to the Balkans.
Shimamori does not hide the fact that Japanese corporations face challenges with slower decision-making processes. He points out that, in the meantime, South Korea operates much faster, capturing shares in projects that could otherwise benefit Japanese partners.
The Polish Viewpoint: Time for Smart Partnership
Japanese business culture is rooted in relationships, trust (shinrai), and respect for every moment (Ichigo-Ichie). Shimamori understands this perfectly, which is why his work combines business with culture, supporting institutions such as the Polish-Japanese Academy of Information Technology (PJAIT) and the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology.
From the perspective of a Polish entrepreneur, supporting a Japanese partner should not be limited to traditional sales. It is about smart cooperation based on shared values. How can Polish businesses provide real support for Shimamori and his mission?
Facilitating access to the innovation ecosystem: Introducing Mynavi representatives to the network of Polish startups, software houses, and academic environments. The investment in the Wrocław-based startup ChallengeRocket (utilizing AI and gamification in IT recruitment) shows that Polish tech solutions perfectly address the challenges of the Japanese labor market.
Transferring knowledge of local realities: Providing guidance on Polish regulations and market specifics to help reduce the time needed for decision-making in the Japanese headquarters.
Joint educational and networking initiatives: Organizing and supporting tech conferences, such as the CEE-Japan Tech Conferences, which connect young talents with Japanese employers.
The Future of Economic Relations
Koichiro Shimamori looks to the future with optimism, recognizing the immense synergy between Japan and Poland. Both sides can derive tangible benefits from this relationship. However, to match the speed of Asian competitors, the Polish business sector must adopt the attitude of a proactive partner—patient, trustworthy, and ready to build long-term relationships.
Cooperation with the Mynavi representative in Poland is an opportunity for Polish tech talent to be employed in the world’s most advanced projects, while Japanese companies gain access to the innovative solutions they so urgently need.
