S3E9: The Third Way - The Intrapreneur's Path with Junichi Yamashita

The Third Way - The Intrapreneur's Path from Inside with Junichi Yamashita

When people talk about innovation, they present two choices: leave and start fresh, or stay and accept the status quo. But there's a third way—proven in Japanese organizations by someone who's walked this path multiple times.
Junichi Yamashita built digital products used by millions—Coke ON (65M downloads), multiple Rakuten ventures—all from inside established companies. This isn't theory. It's how innovation actually happens in Japanese organizations, told by someone who's done it repeatedly.

✅ What You'll Learn

How to create momentum when starting with nothing
The two types of "no" in Japanese business—and why it matters
Getting beyond inspiration: the actual logistics of innovation
Creating scenarios that win stakeholder support
Being different as an advantage in your organization
DX lessons that matter for AI transformation

🎯 This Is For You If...

You have ideas but unclear how to move them forward
You're told "we need innovation" with no clear path
You're wondering if you need to leave to create something new
You're leading transformation but struggling with stakeholder alignment
You're preparing for AI and want to learn from digital transformation success

💡 Key Insights
"Start the ball rolling—once it starts, it doesn't stop easily"
The hardest part isn't execution—it's creating the first moment of momentum. When asked if something is possible: "I think so... shall I take a look?" This creates the next conversation.
"You don't have to do something differently—share what people aren't aware of"
Being different becomes valuable when you find the intersection between what's missing in your environment and what only you can offer.
"Japanese people are great at doing things right—few can show what the right things to do are"
Excellence in execution exists. What's missing is identifying the path forward through uncertainty. Once clear, collective power becomes extraordinary.
"Talk about the value, not the technology"
Don't explain what something is. Explain what it creates: "Coffee purchases go from 5 to 20 per month." People need to understand why it matters.

👤 Junichi Yamashita
Senior Director, Coca-Cola Japan | Coke ON Business Leader
Led: Coke ON (65M users, 500K+ vending machines), world's first vending machine subscription
Previously: Rakuten (Ecosystem Strategy, CEO direct report), Korean startup (Country Manager from zero), McKinsey & IBM
LinkedIn: /junichiyamashita

🎙️ Host: Brittany Arthur
Co-founder, Design Thinking Japan
Helping Japanese organizations innovate since 2012
designthinkingjapan.com

🎧 Business Karaoke Podcast
Authentic conversations with leaders navigating innovation in Japan. Real experience, not just theory.
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Connect: Hello@DesignThinkingJapan.com

The future isn't built by choosing between leaving or staying. It's built by finding the third way forward.