Last Updated: 12 Sep 2025 New Branch in Canada for Japan Intercultural Consulting, staffed by Japan business veterans
Japan Intercultural Consulting is pleased to announce that we have opened a new branch in Canada, joining our locations in various cities in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Asia, and Latin America.
Although we have worked with many companies in Canada over the thirty years of our firm’s existence, this is the first time for us to have team members based in Canada. We are very excited to be able to offer our cross-cultural training, leadership development, and consulting services to companies in Canada with an increased level of convenience and close follow-up.
Leading our Canadian Branch from his base in Toronto is Eric De Groot. Eric has had a 30 plus year career in executive positions in firms doing business in Japan and APAC. Eric first journeyed to Japan in 1988 and worked in language training before embarking on a business career and earning a master’s degree in Japanese language and studies in 1999. He served as Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan from 2009 to 2011 and remains involved in the CCCJ as their representative in Toronto. He also maintains membership in the Toronto Japanese Association of Commerce and Industry and sits on the board of directors of the Japan Society (Canada). He most recently lived in Kobe from 2022 to 2024.
Having managed the Japanese and APAC operations of companies from Canada, the United States and the EU, Eric is keenly aware of the risks posed by the many cross-cultural misalignments possible when Japanese and non-Japanese teams and individuals need to work together.
We are also able to support clients in the Western part of Canada, with our Consultant Andrew Horvat who is based in Vancouver. Andrew has a decades-long career as a Tokyo-based correspondent and has served as the Japan Representative of the Asia Foundation and Director of Stanford University’s overseas studies program in Kyoto.
We look forward to further serving Japanese companies with operations in Canada, and Canadian firms doing business in Japan or with Japanese customers and partners.
For inquiries:
Eric De Groot
Canada Representative
Toronto, Canada
Contact information:
647 462-3895
Andrew Horvat
Senior Consultant
Vancouver, Canada
Contact information
778 713-1419