Trade Adviser
Job Summary
This role works within the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) team to support British companies in expanding their business in Japan. The position involves market research, project management of promotional campaigns, and stakeholder management across public and private sectors. The successful candidate will facilitate trade opportunities and help resolve market access barriers for UK businesses.
Responsibilities
- Promote UK strengths to Japanese market
- Manage business enquiries and stakeholder relations
- Support trade events and promotional campaigns
- Conduct market research and identify business opportunities
- Provide administrative support and CRM management
Required Skills
- English & Japanese proficiency (C2/B2)
- Stakeholder management
- Project management
- Market research and analysis
- Cross-cultural communication
Job Details
Main Purpose of Job:
The Trade Adviser will work in the Trade Team at the British Embassy Tokyo to support British companies to export to and expand in Japan. Responsibilities include providing market information, project management of campaigns, stakeholder management, and direct advice to UK companies. The role supports team leads in resolving market access barriers and shaping market conditions for exports and FDI into Japan.
Key Responsibilities:
- Promote the UK’s strengths to the Japanese market by engaging with Japanese stakeholders, UK and Japanese governments and influencers.
- Manage and respond to enquiries from businesses looking to enter the Japanese market.
- Support the delivery of promotional events including trade fairs, campaigns, webinars, reverse pitches, trade missions and receptions.
- Undertake specific research tasks and identify potential new areas for UK companies to win contracts.
- Develop a network of useful contacts and account manage UK and Japanese companies.
- Support UK companies through market research to assess their marketability and provide advice on exporting to Japan.
- Develop a pipeline of opportunities for UK companies to win contracts with Japanese companies.
- Support visit programmes for Ministers and Trade Envoys, including logistical, administrative, and organisational tasks.
- Identify market access issues and develop/implement action plans to tackle them in collaboration with stakeholders.
- Perform regular administrative tasks, including database entry (CRM), procurement, and handling of payments.
Job Requirements:
Essential qualifications, skills and experience:
- Proven ability to work with business, either in the private sector or public sector.
- Proven stakeholder relationship management skills.
- Language Requirement: Proficiency in both English and Japanese (Fluency C2 in one, Business level B2 in the other).
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:
- Experience working in a cross-cultural environment.
- Strong industry contacts and network.
Working Hours:
- 9:00-17:30 (core time: 10:00-16:00).
Benefits:
- Basic salary (462,200 yen per month).
- Commuting allowance (up to 35,000 yen per month).
- Social insurance (employment insurance, workers' compensation, health insurance, welfare pension).
- Holidays: 2 days off per week (Sat/Sun), 12 public holidays, 25 days annual leave, paid sick/marriage/compassionate leave.