Japan’s bond with Israel
Profile: Our bond with Japan
Since 2000, Japanese investments in Israel have totaled over $7 billion in over 250 business deals.
The place for innovation
Japanese investors comprise multinationals like Softbank, SBI, Mitsui, Hitachi, NTT, Mitsubishi and ORIX. In their search for technology solutions to help them beat global competitors, these firms identify Israel as a key source of innovation.
KEYZUNA joined the business environment in 2019 at a time when many more Japanese from smaller companies began to arrive in Israel. We saw that such firms had difficulties in making high-quality contacts on their first visit, so we determined to give them essential Japan-Israel assistance through our highly dedicated work.
To help build the bond between Japan and Israel, KEYZUNA was founded by Mike Druttman and Kuniko Cohen, who have business knowledge of both countries. We focus exclusively on Japan-Israel assistance. Overcoming language and culture barriers, we strive to help both sides find lasting business relationships.
Japanese multi-nationals like Softbank, SBI, Mitsui, Hitachi, NTT, Mitsubishi and ORIX have invested in Israel. In their search for technology advances, these firms look to Israel as a key source of innovation. Today many smaller Japanese companies also come here to discover new ideas.
When we started KEYZUNA in 2019, we saw that it was difficult for smaller companies to make high-quality contacts on their first visit. With our knowledge of business culture in both countries, we resolved to make a strong contribution to Japan-Israel assistance. Our focus is entirely on the Japan-Israel connection.
“Our Japanese visitors should get the best chances to make an Israeli connection.”
Mike Druttman, Founder and Executive Manager
“Our Japanese visitors should get the best chances to make an Israeli connection.”
Mike Druttman, Executive Manager
Mike is a skilled business communicator with extensive experience in helping companies to enter and grow in international markets. These skills have been applied both to Israeli companies and others in the USA, UK, France, Turkey and the UAE.
Born in the UK and living in Israel for over 40 years, Mike has been closely involved with a wide range of Israeli businesses working across the technology spectrum – Software, Telecomm, Medical Devices, Security, Agriculture, and more.
In recent years, Mike’s primary goal has been to assist Japanese business people looking for innovative ideas and to be their first ‘base’ in Israel. He is an active member of the Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce.
Mike is a skilled business communicator with extensive experience in helping companies to enter and grow in international markets. He has used these skills for companies in Israel, the USA, UK, France, Turkey and the UAE. Born in the UK, he has lived in Israel for over 40 years.
Mike has been involved in many business areas – Software, Telecomm, Medical Devices, Agriculture, Security and more. In recent years, his main goal has been to assist Japanese business people interested in Israel. He is a member of the Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce.
“Motivating the people of both cultures is a challenge and a valuable asset.”
Kuniko Tsuruoka Cohen, Japan Specialist
“Motivating the people of both cultures is a challenge and a valuable asset.”
Kuniko Tsuruoka Cohen, Japan Specialist
Kuniko is one of the few native Japanese people who have lived and worked in a business environment in Israel for over 30 years. This unique experience has given her a deep understanding of each nation’s cultural and business aspects. She has worked faithfully and constantly towards building a stronger Japan-Israel bond.
Many Israeli companies have benefitted from Kuniko’s inputs when seeking market entry into Japan. She has also assisted Japanese companies interested in Israel to get valuable information, make contacts and communicate.
Her close links with all parties involved with bilateral relations include the Japanese Embassy in Israel, JETRO and the Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce. She is fluent in English and Hebrew.
Kuniko is one of the few native Japanese people in Israel who have worked closely in the local business environment for over 30 years. She has deep understanding of how the two business culture can meet. As part of building a stronger Japan-Israel bond, her assistance has enabled Japanese companies to get valuable information, make contacts and communicate better.
Kuniko’s close links with all parties involved with bilateral relations include the Japanese Embassy in Israel, JETRO and the Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce. She is fluent in English and Hebrew.
About our KEYZUNA name: 絆 was chosen as Japan’s Kanji of 2011 because of its meaning as ‘bond’ or ‘connections between people’ during the Fukushima disaster. The ‘KEY’ in the name also stresses our contribution to Japan-Israel collaboration.
