Global Communication by Global Citizens in a Global World
Jan 19, 2026
Maya Matsuoka, corporate communications & cross-cultural consultant and a founder of Japan Expert Insights kindly invited me to her live podcast on 7th January 2025.
We’ve known each other via LinkedIn since 2025, We shared our experiences about living in another country for more than 20 years.
Maya is from Bulgaria and moved to Japan. I’m from Japan and moved to the UK.
We understood the cultural differences between the East and the West especially in working environment and socio-cultural behaviour.
These are the main points:
(1) Attitude for cross-cultural communication skills
(2) Effective cross-cultural behaviour
(3) Learning benefits for you
(4) Cross cultural trust building is the key
(1) Attitude (for mutual respect) is fundamental. Language is the secondary.
Human being has developed complex languages and communication skills.
Communication connects people.
The attitude that you want to understand the other person is the foundation of communication.
- Attitude to understand others
- Attitude to accept differences from others
- Attitude to respect with each other
These attitudes help personal growth as a global citizen.
(2) The importance of how to behave - Language as a communication tool?
Basic level of foreign language skills still helps a lot in communication, because Japanese people value this behaviour much more than what is said.
Advanced Japanese speaker without cross-cultural understanding a difficulty in connecting with Japanese people.
However, beginner Japanese speaker with cross-cultural understanding successfully communicates with Japanese people by understanding socio-cultural behaviour.
(3) Benefits for you – Do you need to speak English?
a) For Japanese people
They are learning English but it’s too hard & too busy to learn.
Should they still speak English? –The common issue of おもてなし(Japanese style hospitality) towards foreign guests tends to avoid them rather than welcome them due to the lack of confidence in speaking English.
It’s important to welcome foreign visitors in basic Japanese rather than avoiding eye contacts from them.
b) For native English speakers
The benefits of language learning for native English speakers
- It helps broaden their mind and views,
- they can experience the difficulty in learning English for foreigners (the Japanese) and
- they can be more empathetic and feel connected as a result.
c) Mind = Expressions
In general, learning another language helps your cross-cultural learning and open-mindedness, especially Japanese language learning.
Japanese mind and way of thinking are reflected as those expressions.
(4) Trust building is the key
Trust building is important in general.
Speaking their language clearly show respect and great for strong relationship.
Especially for Japanese people;
- nothing really starts without trust but,
- how they build trust is quite different from many other countries (how to show respect etc)
My complete beginner students who studied basic Japanese for their business trips and holiday trips communicated in a way Japanese people feel connected.
Again, the language level doesn’t matter. Attitude matters.
(5) Summary
Flexible attitude towards different culture is the most important for global communication.
It can be improved by exposing yourself to differences.
The benefit is huge in this global world.
The Master Speaking Japanese course (online self-study Japanese course) focused on speaking skills and how to behave like a native. So, you will be able to communicate the way Japanese people feel comfortable to be with, not just learning phrases.
The model conversation between native teachers can be also helpful, not between avatars with digital voice.
It’s interactive with lots of questions and answers and you’ll be able to express yourself.
You will speak with me a lot on the lesson videos.
One of the users who couldn’t speak Japanese for the last 20 years said Master Speaking Japanese is a confidence booster, because she finally started speaking Japanese and gained confidence!
You might have a contact with Japanese people on Social media, online meetings, business trip and holiday in Japan.
You can sign up from this LINK.
You will be able to speak some basic Japanese to show respect and create strong bond with them :)
I hope you will succeed in trust building with Japanese people.
Succeed in Japanese!
Q: Have you ever learnt how to study Japanese effectively?
Q: Do you feel like you're making progress?
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