CLIENTS
Case No.1: US Sheet Glass Manufacturer
US flat glass manufacturer was the fourth largest sheet glass manufacturer in the world. This company tried to export its products to Japan late 80's. However, it faced difficulties due to closed nature of the flat glass market in Japan. In 1990 Link started advises and came up with strategy to use the trade negotiation as leverage to open up the Japanese market. In 1991 Link succeeded in including flat glass in the agenda of Japan-U.S. trade negotiations. In 1992 President Bush signed the US-Japan Flat Glass Agreement when he visited Japan. The Japanese government promised that it would open the market. Link started business advises to the client how to establish wholesale networks, how to expand its relationship with large construction companies as well as automobile ones.
Case No.2: US Game Machine Manufacturer
This American game machine manufacturer, which had a 75% market share in Las Vegas, tried to enter into the “Pachi-slot” market in Japan. The Police Agency and industry Association were extremely reluctant to allow my client to enter into the Japanese pachinko market. Link held successful negotiations with the National Police Agency to obtain manufacturer license. The client obtained the manufacturer license in 1991 and was allowed to join the Association in 1993. Later Link became business advisor and helped the client to establish its business strategies.
Case No.3: US Energy Consulting Company
US energy consulting company has been conducting the benchmark study and had difficult time to convince Japanese refineries and petrochemical companies to participate in the studies early 90’s. Link came up with strategy to use government power and convinced METI that the benchmark study was indispensable to make Japanese industries be more competitive in the international market. By 2000 most refineries and ethylene plants decided to participate in the benchmark study. Link has been working as its agent since then.
Case Example No.4: Israel Cosmetic Equipment Manufacturer
Link Associates became an advisor for this company in 1999, and gave advices on the framework of Japanese regulations related to the sales of cosmetic equipment for beauty salons in Japan. Established a nonprofit organization “Biyokiki Anzen Fukyukai (Aesthetic Equipment Safety Council)”, organized workshops for safety (held 20 times for 5 years with participation of 1,400 persons) and conducted medical seminars for the purpose of educating about beauty cosmetics. A pamphlet for consumer education was produced by using subsidies from the Japanese Government related non-profit foundations.
Case Example No.5: Software company in UK
This UK software company was established in 2000 and successfully developed distribution networks using agents. The company needed to develop a loan strategy with a financial institution based on borrowing against copyrights with the goal of establishing of a development base in Japan for software users consisting primarily of Japanese high-tech companies. Link introduced a government affiliated financial institute.
Case Example No.6: Hedge funds in US and UK
Link Associates has been advising several hedge funds and advised their fund raising activities since 1998. In total he raised bout $250 million with his partners. In 2008 he was retained by one “activist” fund and advised their government relationship strategy. This fund sold off its shares without loss even just after Lehman shock.
Case Example No. 7: US Casino Operator
Japanese Government has been contemplating to legalize casino in Japan. LDP established special committee in 2005 and proposed a new legislation in June 2006. In 2010 IR Caucus was established. Since 2001 Link has been an advisor to the world largest US casino operator. Link has been trying to work out a legal framework with both LDP and DPJ’s diet members with academia. In August 2010 the IR Caucus published its draft legislation and will continue its deliberation by listening public comments.