Date of publication: May 27, 2019

Mario Stein

President & Representative Director: Johnson & Johnson Japan Consumer Company

Date of birth: Sept. 21, 1967

Hometown: Miami

Number of years in Japan (cumulative): 15 (as of May 2019)

Q1: What was your first encounter with Japan?

I originally came to study at Sophia University as an exchange student for one year, studying Japanese and business. After a year, I realized that I still could hardly speak Japanese so I ended up staying three more years, working in a Japanese firm.

Q2: Please state your motto in life and why you have chosen it.

Inspire through an insightful, simple and clear vision: I seek to inspire the entire organization by defining a vision for the business that you can both understand logically and also “feel” emotionally. I will strive to keep this vision as our compass, to make sure we are staying on course through our daily decisions and actions.

Q3 : Over your career, what achievement are you the proudest of?

Turning around J&J Japan business to multiple years of growth after 10 years of flat performance. When I arrived at J&J we had an organization that lacked a clear vision for what are we seeking to achieve, and skepticism in our ability to win. I am proud that we have dramatically changed for the better in the last five years.

Q4 : What are your goals during your time in Japan, your current position or in life?

I want to inspire and enable teams of people in Japan to widely exceed their expectations through articulating a vision for what’s possible — and convincing them that we can get there. By doing that, I believe I can be a game changer and really unleash the potential of people in Japan.

Q5 : What wisdom, advice or tips can you give to people living and working in Japan?

Be patient. Try to see things through the eyes of others. Walk in their shoes a bit and see why they think, react or act that way. It will be a lot easier if you believe there is a reason behind actions and behaviors that you don't at first understand.

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Last updated: May 27, 2019