Tokyo vs. the Bay Area

Re:Tokyo vs. the Bay Area by CamatHN on Sunday August 30, 2015 @07:07AM (#10142991)

Ummm language? It's easy to underestimate communication because it is hard to quantify but when you cannot express the value of a startup clearly or develop deep relationships due to language barriers its going to affect your success.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Tokyo vs. the Bay Area by fenomas on Sunday August 30, 2015 @08:29AM (#10143134)

This was my first thought - I can't imagine how someone could feasibly start a company here without being at least somewhat bilingual.

I've seen people found and run successful companies with only moderate Japanese ability, but only when they'd already lived here a long time and had lots of contacts. (And folks in that position will have their own opinions about the startup climate...)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Tokyo vs. the Bay Area by jarek on Sunday August 30, 2015 @02:07PM (#10144042)

That's true in both cities. http://duruk.net/accents-and-blowhards/

[ Parent | on HN ]