Awards

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2015 NOVEMBER – WINNER OF BRITISH BUSINESS AWARDS FOR INNOVATION

BLJ was presented the 2015 BBA Innovation award for creating the world’s first dedicated digital platform aimed to encourage Japanese and UK firms develop partnerships and to bring UK products, services and ideas into the Japan market.

The platform, “Export to Japan”, is helping UK businesses find success in a huge and lucrative market, understand new cultures, overcome language barriers and determine how to face several critical issues by providing expert information, market insight and various services.

The platform is also supported by 27 business partners who offer exclusive discounted services to support UK companies get a head start in Japan.

In his winning speech, Steve Crane, CEO of Business Link Japan, said “the core objective of the Export to Japan site is to break the mould of traditional business by using technology to speed up the flow of activity and to give customers immediate access to high-quality, relevant information.”

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2013 NOVEMBER – BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS CEREMONY – ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR -WINNER

The 2013 British Business Awards, hosted by The British Chamber of Commerce (BCCJ), saw a multitude of talent receiving awards for their contribution to Anglo-Japanese business relations. BLJ is delighted to announce that founder and CEO Steve Crane was one of the recipients of such commendation: winning the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Following Steve’s win in 2011 of the BBA’s Person of the Year, this second award celebrates his innovative business approach and BLJ’s development of a low-cost, low-risk business model that facilitates the successful introduction and expansion of international companies within Japan.

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View Steve receiving the award from Ambassador Tim Hitchens CMG LVO

2011 NOVEMBER – BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS CEREMONY – PERSON OF THE YEAR -WINNER

Steve Crane founder of Business Link Japan wins ‘Person of the Year’ award.

On presenting the award Ambassador Warren said “Steve Crane has been working on UK–Japan activities for 10 years and has shown a strong determination to succeed in 2011”. “Steve runs Business Link Japan, acts as an advisor to UK and Japanese companies, and volunteers assistance regarding the wider issues of UK–Japan relations in the areas of business, education and culture.  Steve is truly a positive ambassador for the UK in Japan”.

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2011 NOVEMBER –  UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ANNUAL ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS

Steve Crane of Business Link Japan honored by US Ambassador John V. Roos

In announcing the awards, Ambassador Roos stated, “I believe innovation through entrepreneurship holds the key to future growth and prosperity both in the United States and here in Japan. Tonight’s awards honor a group of outstanding new entrepreneurs who have the courage it takes to start new companies – to take risks and pursue their dreams.”

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NOVEMBER 2009 – UKTI EAST MIDLANDS INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS FINALIST

Steve Crane of Business Link Japan is flanked by Ian Morrison, Deputy International Trade Director of UKTI East Midlands, and World Cup winning Rugby Union star Matt  Dawson at the awards ceremony.Business Link Japan was delighted to be a finalist in the UKTI International Communications awards, and annual event designed to highlight companies who have excelled in  international trade. The awards were presented at a ceremony which attracted more than 170 people including special guest speaker Matt Dawson, who was part of the  England squad that took the country to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Now in their fourth year, the Awards recognised the talent of businesses across the East  Midlands who are trading internationally and who are making a real difference to the prosperity of both their businesses and the region.

2008 DECEMBER – BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS CEREMONY – ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR – FINALIST

Established more than 60 years ago, the BCCJ is one of the most active Chambers of Commerce in Japan, serving a network of over 700 individuals.

In 2008 the Chamber held its inaugural British Business Awards event, a flagship gala dinner at the Conrad Hotel in Tokyo.  Steve Crane was selected as a finalist in the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award ceremony.