“It’s really hard to judge yourself but I think that since I’ve lived here coming up nine years in total, I suppose that just innately I’ve absorbed some Japanese culture and perhaps I understand the way they think and what some people’s concerns might be. It’s not something I’m consciously aware of but I think that subconsciously I’ve become slightly Japanese myself. I’m still European of course so at a subconscious level I am able to see both sides or think a bit like both countries, if you know what I mean. I don’t consciously think “right I’m in Japanese mode today, I’m in European mode today” but having lived here for eight or nine years it must have influenced my behaviour.”

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This post is part of a series of excerpts from interviews with foreign executives in Japan, focusing on creativity. Excerpts have been edited for confidentiality.
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