Date of publication: Jul 29, 2019
Shai Greenberg
- Senior Vice President
- Genkai Capital Management Co. http://www.genkaicapital.com
Date of birth:
Hometown: Tel Aviv
Number of years in Japan (cumulative): 11 (as of July 2019)
Q1: What was your first encounter with Japan?
I believe it was my first encounters with Japan at the dojo growing up that kindled my imagination and eventually led me to Japan. Later on, when faced with the choice of university major I chose to supplement business management studies with East Asian studies and a minor in Japanese studies; a wise choice — It was absolutely fascinating!
Q2: Please state your motto in life and why you have chosen it.
More a guiding principle than a motto, but I always try to be a positive element and a resource to the people in my orbit that I care about; may it be family, friends, colleagues, students or people I occasionally mentor. Making the people around you more successful and content is a net-positive.
Q3 : Over your career, what achievement are you the proudest of?
As the head of the international business division at an independent Japanese Asset Management Company I constantly have to “re-invent the wheel.” Rather then relying on deep pockets or brand name we have to rely on innovation, agility and to spot trends well ahead of the crowd. One such recent example is a private debt fund we launched with a foreign subsidiary of a large Japanese life insurance company.
Q4 : What are your goals during your time in Japan, your current position or in life?
Move fast and break things? No, hold-on that one is already taken (and doesn’t work in Japan...).
Mine is more peaceful in nature — I just wish to reach optimum in most aspects of my life.
It is a hard cultural transition living and working in Japan, even after more then a decade, but my goal is not to depart to far from my core values — that’s what makes us unique.
Mine is more peaceful in nature — I just wish to reach optimum in most aspects of my life.
It is a hard cultural transition living and working in Japan, even after more then a decade, but my goal is not to depart to far from my core values — that’s what makes us unique.
Q5 : What wisdom, advice or tips can you give to people living and working in Japan?
If you are new to Japan — take your time to learn Japanese. While you might want to hit the ground running, this will prove invaluable in the years to come. Many of the non-Japanese you'll meet in Japan came for a year and ended up staying for 30, its just that kind of place, so prepare for a marathon not a sprint.
Last updated: Jul 29, 2019