Timothy Langley's guest appearances

Timothy Langley

Now and Zen Japan

Japan's Top Business Interviews Podcast By Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo Japan

Pacific Conversations

Timothy Connor

Dominic Carter

Jeff Crawford

Loic Bizel

Seth Sulkin

David Sweet

Michael King

Tim Sullivan

Ruth Jarman

Arthur Mitchell

Jesper Koll

Bob Carr

Rochelle Kopp

Peter Newman

John Daley

OwlTail

With almost 40 years of experience in public affairs in Japan, Timothy Langley is the founder and driving force behind Langley Esquire. He was the first foreign national to work inside the National Diet, serving as a policy aide to former Foreign Minister Nakayama Taro, and has served as a political attaché for U.S. presidents and diplomats when they visit Japan.With the 2021 Olympics kicking off this week in Tokyo, Timothy discusses the political implications on the upcoming Japanese election and Japan's COVID vaccine rollout.

Timothy Langley and Japanese Tensions Around the 2021 Olympics

Timothy Langley has been in Japan for over 40 years and has an intriguing career in American and Japanese public affairs. Mr. Langley originally grew up in Okinawa where his father’s military post was stationed. After graduating from the University of Georgia, Mr. Langley taught English and played for the Santa Monica Rugby Club. He set his path to become a lawyer through the Monbusho scholarship and attended Tohoku University to study law but was rejected from taking the bar exam as a foreigner since it had “never been done.” Unable to sit for the bar, Mr. Langley landed a job at the Japanese National Parliament after writing to a prominent Japanese politician and sending his resumes. Since this was the first time a foreigner was working inside the Japanese government, Mr. Langley was featured in the media within and outside of Japan including the American CBS show, 60 minutes.   Mr. Langley eventually became an official lawyer after completing a law program at Georgetown. After working in Atlanta for a few years at a law firm, Mr. Langley was hired as an attorney for a manufacturing company in Kyoto to deal with a trade issue they were facing with the US government. Mr. Langley calls this experience working for a traditional Japanese company to be “a valuable experience in seeing how the Japanese work…how decisions are being made.” He also notes the difference in leadership that he observed: “basically since it's a Japanese company, you're going to be there until you die. So that leadership and that aspiration that you might have to be a leader is applied very differently than it might be in a competitive environment, such as in the United States…and [Japanese] people [are] very risk averse as, as people know. And they're punctual, they get the job done, but they follow the manual.   Mr. Langley then became the representative for the Commonwealth of Kentucky in Japan where he served for two years and gained some early leadership experience managing several staff. He then became General Counsel for Apple for four years where Mr. Langley essentially established the legal division from scratch. Since Apple was a growing company at the time, Mr. Langley recalls many challenges, including hiring the right staff and gaining commitment. Mr. Langley then transitioned into Amway for a brief period, before returning to Denver, Colorado with his family to start a law firm. He was not away from Japan for too long after being approached by General Motors to become their General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs in Asia although his term was cut short due to the 9-11 attacks.   But this time, Mr. Langley was committed to staying in Japan. Realizing his value add as General Counsel, having represented global companies like General Motors and Apple, Mr. Langley started Langley Esquire, a public affairs consultancy where he is the President and Representative Director. He describes his earlier challenges on recruitment, including convincing his sons to join the organization. Mr. Langley also highlights the importance of building trust and avoiding a breach of trust to maintain good relations, which he calls “an asset that can be transitioned from generation to generation.”   To new leaders coming to Japan, Mr. Langley advises to have language familiarity, carefully observe others and ask questions to pick up on social cues that will help with decision-making. He adds that holding back and pausing in conversations is also a great way to communicate, claiming that in Japan, the “things that are being left unsaid carry as much weight as what [people] are verbally saying.”

Timothy Langley has been in Japan for over 40 years and has an intriguing career in American and Japanese public affairs. Mr. Langley originally grew up in Okinawa where his father’s military post was stationed. After graduating from the University of Georgia, Mr. Langley taught English and played for the Santa Monica Rugby Club. He set his path to become a lawyer through the Monbusho scholarship and attended Tohoku University to study law but was rejected from taking the bar exam as a foreigner since it had “never been done.” Unable to sit for the bar, Mr. Langley landed a job at the Japanese National Parliament after writing to a prominent Japanese politician and sending his resumes. Since this was the first time a foreigner was working inside the Japanese government, Mr. Langley was featured in the media within and outside of Japan including the American CBS show, 60 minutes. Mr. Langley eventually became an official lawyer after completing a law program at Georgetown. After working in Atlanta for a few years at a law firm, Mr. Langley was hired as an attorney for a manufacturing company in Kyoto to deal with a trade issue they were facing with the US government. Mr. Langley calls this experience working for a traditional Japanese company to be “a valuable experience in seeing how the Japanese work…how decisions are being made.” He also notes the difference in leadership that he observed: “basically since it's a Japanese company, you're going to be there until you die. So that leadership and that aspiration that you might have to be a leader is applied very differently than it might be in a competitive environment, such as in the United States…and [Japanese] people [are] very risk averse as, as people know. And they're punctual, they get the job done, but they follow the manual. Mr. Langley then became the representative for the Commonwealth of Kentucky in Japan where he served for two years and gained some early leadership experience managing several staff. He then became General Counsel for Apple for four years where Mr. Langley essentially established the legal division from scratch. Since Apple was a growing company at the time, Mr. Langley recalls many challenges, including hiring the right staff and gaining commitment. Mr. Langley then transitioned into Amway for a brief period, before returning to Denver, Colorado with his family to start a law firm. He was not away from Japan for too long after being approached by General Motors to become their General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs in Asia although his term was cut short due to the 9-11 attacks. But this time, Mr. Langley was committed to staying in Japan. Realizing his value add as General Counsel, having represented global companies like General Motors and Apple, Mr. Langley started Langley Esquire, a public affairs consultancy where he is the President and Representative Director. He describes his earlier challenges on recruitment, including convincing his sons to join the organization. Mr. Langley also highlights the importance of building trust and avoiding a breach of trust to maintain good relations, which he calls “an asset that can be transitioned from generation to generation.” To new leaders coming to Japan, Mr. Langley advises to have language familiarity, carefully observe others and ask questions to pick up on social cues that will help with decision-making. He adds that holding back and pausing in conversations is also a great way to communicate, claiming that in Japan, the “things that are being left unsaid carry as much weight as what [people] are verbally saying.”

40: Timothy Langley, CEO, Langley Esquire

An amazing and iconic Tokyo veteran - Timothy Langley.  With over 40 years experience in Japan, Timothy is the founder of Japan's premier government &amp; public consultancy Langley Esquire.  Most unique about Timothy, he was the first foreigner to work in the Japan National Diet working alongside many senior Japanese politicians.  In addition he has served as top Legal &amp; Gov't Affairs Specialist for Apple Computer (Japan), General Counsel to General Motors (Japan) and director of numerous companies from start-up to fortune 100. Although on hiatus he is also Host &amp; Executive Producer of Japan's only Public Affairs-related audio/video series, Tokyo on Fire! When you think: "Fascinating people in Japan", Timothy Langley is indeed  the poster child.  Other topics we cover:Great stories from serving as handler for Pres. George Bush during his Japan visitRelated stories about "clash of cultures" with the Secret ServiceWhy foreigners in Japan are often "Agents of Change"His own incredible "Agent of Change" storiesHow with all his accomplishments in Japan, his most important success story is still a work in progressSpices up politics and explains how and why the LDP stays in powerWhy Public Affairs is so import in Japan but yet an untapped marketMotivation for starting one of the first Japan YouTube video series - Tokyo on Fire! The "Free Unsolicited Business Idea" What is "Onomatopoeia" and why there are so many in JapanLangley Esquire: https://langleyesquire.comTokyo On Fire! Tokyo on Fire! YouTubeMore on the George Bush visit: My Memory Of George H.W. BushTimothy Langley: LinkedIn ProfileGreat Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: https://gugu.jp Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: https://www.dreamdrive.lifeUse the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts

An amazing and iconic Tokyo veteran - Timothy Langley.  With over 40 years experience in Japan, Timothy is the founder of Japan's premier government &amp; public consultancy Langley Esquire.  Most unique about Timothy, he was the first foreigner to work in the Japan National Diet working alongside many senior Japanese politicians.  In addition he has served as top Legal &amp; Gov't Affairs Specialist for Apple Computer (Japan), General Counsel to General Motors (Japan) and director of numerous companies from start-up to fortune 100. Although on hiatus he is also Host &amp; Executive Producer of Japan's only Public Affairs-related audio/video series, Tokyo on Fire! When you think: "Fascinating people in Japan", Timothy Langley is indeed  the poster child.  Other topics we cover:<ul><li>Great stories from serving as handler for Pres. George Bush during his Japan visit</li><li>Related stories about "clash of cultures" with the Secret Service</li><li>Why foreigners in Japan are often "Agents of Change"</li><li>His own incredible "Agent of Change" stories</li><li>How with all his accomplishments in Japan, his most important success story is still a work in progress</li><li>Spices up politics and explains how and why the LDP stays in power</li><li>Why Public Affairs is so import in Japan but yet an untapped market</li><li>Motivation for starting one of the first Japan YouTube video series - Tokyo on Fire! </li><li>The "Free Unsolicited Business Idea" </li><li>What is "Onomatopoeia" and why there are so many in Japan</li></ul>Langley Esquire: <a href="https://langleyesquire.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://langleyesquire.com</a> Tokyo On Fire! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&amp;list=PLdFBN0Nedy2yMBKgkglb1AE_GWdKBNZUn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tokyo on Fire! YouTube</a> More on the George Bush visit: <a href="https://langleyesquire.com/my-memory-of-george-h-w-bush/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Memory Of George H.W. Bush</a> Timothy Langley: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothylangley/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LinkedIn Profile</a>Great Sleep Starts Here = gugu Sleep Company: <a href="https://gugu.jp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://gugu.jp</a> Japan Adventures via Camper Van = Dream Drive: <a href="https://www.dreamdrive.life" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.dreamdrive.life</a><ul><li>Use the code word "ZEN" to receive discounts</li></ul>

Timothy Langley: Renowned Japan Business and Political Advisor & Advocate