HR Consulting
Organisational complexity multiplies at the intersection of two labour markets. Japanese companies operating in India face a landscape shaped by distinct employment law, radically different workforce expectations, and cultural communication styles that can make or break team cohesion.
We design HR frameworks from first principles for Japan-affiliated companies in India — structuring roles, building performance systems, and running Employee Satisfaction Surveys that surface cross-cultural friction before it becomes attrition.
- —Salary structuring & compensation design
- —HR policy & handbook development
- —Employment contracts & documentation
- —Skill & competency framework design
- —Performance management system setup
- —Statutory compliance & labour law
- —Merger & acquisition HR support
- —Employee Satisfaction Surveys (ESS)
Reduced attrition in cross-cultural teams
HR compliance aligned to Indian labour law
Measurable improvement in employee satisfaction scores
Legal Advisory
Corporate law at the Japan–India interface is not simply a matter of translating documents. Entity structuring, joint-venture agreements, employment contracts, and regulatory filings must navigate two distinct legal systems simultaneously.
Our legal advisory practice provides strategic guidance alongside your legal counsel — not in place of it. We identify the cross-jurisdictional pressure points, advise on structuring options, and ensure that the commercial intent of an agreement survives the legal translation.
- —Corporate advisory and entity structuring
- —Contract review, drafting, and localisation
- —Employment law guidance for bilateral teams
- —Joint-venture and partnership structuring
- —Regulatory compliance across both jurisdictions
- —Liaison with government and regulatory authorities
Legally sound structures from day one
Reduced exposure to cross-border compliance risk
Faster contract execution with fewer renegotiations
Corporate Training
Intercultural misunderstanding rarely announces itself. It accumulates in silences, in meeting dynamics, in feedback that never lands, in relationships that never quite form. Our training programs are designed to surface these patterns and give teams the frameworks to navigate them with confidence.
Developed in close partnership with Japan Intercultural Consulting, our programs draw on decades of research into Japanese and Indian business culture. We deliver bespoke workshops, communication seminars, and leadership programs — adapted to your industry and the specific cultural fault lines your teams face.
- —JIC 19-Dimensions cultural assessment
- —Japan business culture for Indian teams
- —India business culture for Japanese assignees
- —Cross-cultural team building
- —POSH awareness & sensitivity training
- —Leadership & communication workshops
- —Customised case studies & role plays
Measurably improved cross-cultural communication
Faster onboarding for bilateral leadership hires
Reduced misunderstanding-driven project delays
Corporate Events
High-value bilateral relationships are rarely built in formal meetings. They form over carefully curated encounters — the right people in the right room, with the right facilitation. Our events practice designs and manages business interactions between Japanese and Indian stakeholders at every level.
From trade delegations and executive networking dinners to Japan–India business forums and cultural exchange programs, we handle strategic design, logistics, protocol, and facilitation. Our access to business and government networks on both sides means we can convene conversations that would otherwise take years to arrange.
- —AOTS conference & event management
- —Japanese delegation support & protocol
- —Executive networking and business dinners
- —Japan–India business forums and conferences
- —Japan–India business networking
- —Cultural exchange programs
- —VVIP protocol and diplomatic event support
Accelerated relationship-building between bilateral stakeholders
Access to curated networks on both sides
Events that generate durable business outcomes
B2G Relations
Japan and India have built an extensive bilateral policy architecture — spanning skill development, infrastructure, trade facilitation, and investment promotion. For companies that understand how to engage it, this represents significant opportunity. For those that don't, it is a source of delay and uncertainty.
Our B2G practice helps companies navigate government relationships on both sides. We provide strategic advisory for Japan's Skill Development Programs, support regulatory navigation, and facilitate introductions to the relevant ministries, departments, and policy bodies.
- —Government liaison and relationship facilitation
- —Japan Skill Development Program (JICA/JITCO) advisory
- —Regulatory navigation and compliance support
- —Ministry and departmental introductions
- —Bilateral policy engagement strategy
- —Public sector tender and procurement support
Smoother regulatory approvals and clearances
Access to government skill development funding
Credibility with bilateral policy stakeholders
Market Entry
Entering a new market is an act of judgement as much as execution. Which partners can be trusted? Which regulatory requirements are critical? Which market segments offer the highest probability of early traction? For Japan–India market entry, these questions carry particular weight.
Our market entry practice provides the strategic grounding, local intelligence, and operational support to make expansion successful. We work with Japanese companies entering India and Indian companies entering Japan — providing in-market research, partner identification, entity setup advisory, and ongoing counsel through the critical first years.
- —India market entry strategy & advisory
- —Business partner identification and vetting
- —B2G facilitation & government relations
- —Corporate translation & interpretation
- —Strategic advisory for Japan–India JVs
- —Entity setup and operational launch support
- —Ongoing market advisory and monitoring
Evidence-based market entry decisions
Vetted local partners with aligned interests
Faster path to first commercial milestones
The JIC 19 Cultural
Dimensions.
Developed by Japan Intercultural Consulting over decades of research, this globally-proven framework identifies, measures, and bridges cultural gaps between Japan and India. Before every intercultural session, we survey participants across all 19 dimensions — allowing us to precisely customise content for your team's actual daily challenges.
Risk Avoidance vs. Risk-seeking — how much information and planning do people need to feel comfortable moving forward?
Top-down vs. Consensus — how many people are consulted in order to reach a decision?
Highly Verbal vs. Highly Non-verbal — are things spelled out clearly in words, or is it necessary to read between the lines?
Clear Roles vs. Ambiguous Roles — do people have clear job descriptions, or pitch in flexibly as needed?
Egalitarian vs. Hierarchical — are people treated differently based on their status?
Direct vs. Indirect — do people feel comfortable showing disagreement openly?
Get the Job Done vs. Emphasise Relationships — do people just focus on their to-do list, or spend time nurturing relationships?
Tradition & Status Quo vs. Progress & Novelty — the latest and greatest, or if it's not broken don't fix it?
Short-term vs. Long-term — do you expect to be working with the same people 10 years from now?
Individualism vs. Group-oriented — do people like to do their own thing, or be part of a team?
Slow, Much Silence vs. Fast, Little Silence — are people fast talkers, or more deliberate in their speaking style?
Time is Precious vs. Ample Time — how much of a priority is speed?
Is how you do it important, or just what you end up with in the end?
Expressive vs. Reserved — do you wear your heart on your sleeve, or keep a stiff upper lip?
Formal vs. Informal — the degree of protocol and formality expected in interactions.
Lifestyle is Highest Priority vs. Work is Highest Priority — work to live or live to work?
Act Independently vs. Coordination and Collaboration — do you take the ball and run with it, or do a lot of reporting and discussing?
You Control Environment vs. Environment Controls You — are you in control of your destiny?
Apprentice Style vs. Classroom Style — would you prefer to learn something on the job, or take a class about it?
Before every intercultural session, Maalabay administers the JIC 19-Dimensions survey to participants, measuring their interest level (Low / Medium / High) across each dimension. This allows us to precisely customise session content, focusing on the dimensions most relevant to your team's actual daily challenges — making every program practical, targeted, and immediately applicable.
