Brandon Jackson spent nearly a decade in Japan playing and coaching rugby for corporate teams including the Ricoh Black Rams. Now, as General Manager of Growth Sectors at the Bank of New Zealand, he helps Kiwi businesses scale internationally, with a particular passion for strengthening the NZ-Japan relationship.

Brandon discusses the promising sectors for NZ-Japan collaboration while offering frank advice about the common pitfalls Kiwi businesses face when entering Japan. Whether you're interested in rugby, business development, or cross-cultural leadership, this episode offers valuable insights from someone who has truly experienced both worlds and believes passionately that Japan deserves more attention from New Zealand.

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If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

1. The lessons from a decade playing and coaching rugby in Japan that now drive Brandon’s approach to banking and business development.
2. Why New Zealand may have taken Japan for granted as a business partner and how the relationship needs to be reinvigorated
3. The critical differences between Kiwi and Japanese business culture
4. Practical insights on entering the Japanese market, from understanding distribution networks to building authentic relationships and avoiding the pitfall of thinking you can "just rock up" and succeed.

About Brandon

Brandon Jackson is General Manager of Growth Sectors at the Bank of New Zealand, where he leads national initiatives to help New Zealand’s high-opportunity industries scale, from healthcare and technology to Māori business, export, and Asia-linked ventures.

Before moving into finance, he spent a decade playing and coaching rugby in Japan’s corporate leagues, including for Ricoh and Kurita Water Industries, and completed a Master of Management in Sport Business Administration at Massey University.

He has since built a career that bridges leadership, banking, and sport, developing products that

help NZ businesses grow globally while also serving as a long-time coach and director in New Zealand Rugby.

Links

SYOS Aerospace: https://www.bnz.co.nz/business-banking/business-moments/syos-aerospace-how-a-tauranga-robotics-startup-has-taken-flight-globally

Tomonoura, Hiroshima Prefecture: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3432.html

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with...

Sarah Hudson made history as Aotearoa's first artist in residence at the Setouchi Triennale. Sarah shares her transformative experience living and creating art in Kagawa Prefecture's island community. Sarah's story is one of perseverance, cultural discovery, and the universal language of art. She reveals how stepping outside the big cities and into rural Japan changed not just her artwork, but her entire perspective on connection, community, and creativity. Whether you're an artist considering international opportunities, a business person looking to understand cross-cultural collaboration, or simply someone who loves hearing about authentic Japan experiences, this conversation will inspire you to see art as a bridge between worlds.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• The profound similarities between Māori and Japanese worldviews and the stone wall connection of a far away island and one close to Sarah’s whenua (land) in Aotearoa
• What it takes to be an artist in residence in Japan and tips for aspiring artists to follow in Sarah’s footsteps
• The process to harvest taonga(treasures, property) for art
• Why getting out of big cities is essential for understanding the real Japan

About Sarah

Sarah Hudson is a Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe and Ngāti Pūkeko artist based in Whakatāne, Aotearoa. Her practice explores tino rangatiritanga (sovereignty), whenua (land), reciprocity, and relationships through painting, performance, and sculpture. Sarah has exhibited nationally and internationally with the award-winning Mataaho Collective, and is also a founding member of the Kauae Raro Research Collective, an organisation dedicated to the promotion and retention of Māori paint-making technologies.

Based in Aotearoa New Zealand, McCahon House deliver a programme designed around the concept of supporting artists at pivotal points in their careers. This includes national and international career-defining residencies and celebrating artists through events and commissioned essays, as well as education initiatives and resources.

The Tomorrow Group are McCahon House patrons that support our bold and ambitious projects with international scope, including the Naoshima Artist Residency. They enable artists to extend their practice in different contexts, engage in international exchange and contribute to global discourse.

Links

Setouchi Triennale: https://setouchi-artfest.jp/en/

McCahon House https://mccahonhouse.org.nz/

Press Release: https://www.asianz.org.nz/arts/artist-sarah-hudson-announced-as-naoshima-artist-in-residence-and-setouchi-triennale-2025

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In:

Bryn Rowdon is the Corporate Communications General Manager for Fonterra's North Asia region. We uncover the fascinating story of how New Zealand's iconic dairy cooperative is not only a leading B2B supplier in one of the world's most discerning markets but also helping local dairy farmers to create more sustainable and profitable farms.

New Zealand dairy products and ingredients are now part of Japanese bento, coffee creamers, cheeses and morning toast to name a few, listen in to hear more about Fonterra and how they are doing business in Japan.

Subscribe to our list so you never miss an episode of Jandals in Japan

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would come and say hi (or Kia Ora or Konnichi Wa!) over on @jandalsinjapan on Instagram.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Bryn’s bumpy road on the Japanese learning journey turned into a career in Japan
• How Fonterra operates as a B2B company in Japan and the surprising products that contain Fonterra ingredients
• The transformation happening in Japanese dairy farming and how Fonterra is helping to lead the charge
• The critical importance of patience and local partnerships when entering the market in Japan

About Bryn

Bryn Rowdon is the Corporate Communications General Manager for Fonterra’s North Asia region (Japan & South Korea).

He is responsible for the implementation of the region’s sustainability Global Road map, managing stakeholder relations to effectively promote Fonterra's sustainability proposition to North Asia's customers and consumers. His team also manages Legal, Compliance, CSR and Corporate Affairs.

His previous roles have included Corporate Planning GM, responsible for managing Strategic and Integrated Business Planning and Corporate Affairs as well as North Asia Operations GM, where he managed the Logistics & Sales Operations teams.

Links

Fonterra Japan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fonterra.jp/

Alex Kane’s Movember Fundraising page: https://movember.com/m/14341735?mc=1

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

Connect with Jayne and Catherine

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jandals-in-japan-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jandalsinjapan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jandalsinjapan

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jandalsinjapan

Mentioned in this episode:

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