Episode 76

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Published on:

18th May 2026

Peri Drysdale Shares Untouched World’s Japan Market Entry Story

Peri Drysdale is Founder of the internationally renowned sustainable fashion brand Untouched World. From growing up on a sheep farm in the Rakaia Gorge to becoming a registered nurse, and then launching a global wool business with just $200 in the bank, Peri's journey is nothing short of remarkable. Discover how she broke into Japan's notoriously difficult department store market, the power of persistence, and why being a foreign woman in Japanese business turned from a double negative into a surprising advantage.

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In this episode you’ll hear:

  • How Peri started a global wool business with $200 in the bank
  • The jaw-dropping story of how Peri got her products into prestigious Japanese retailers
  • The "two minuses make a plus" philosophy
  • Peri’s Essential lessons for doing business in Japan

About Peri

Peri was born in Christchurch with a first career as a nurse before starting a small home-based knitwear business while raising her young family.

Over the decades, that cottage industry evolved into the internationally recognised brand Untouched World, known for its innovative natural fibres and commitment to environmentally responsible fashion.

The company exports globally including Japan and has earned international recognition for its leadership in sustainability.

Alongside building her business, Peri founded the Untouched World Foundation,and her contributions to business, exports, and sustainability have been widely recognised, including induction into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame and numerous national awards.

Links

Untouched World: https://www.untouchedworld.com/en-int

Jandals in Japan is brought to you by Catherine O’Connell Law and PodLaunch with Jayne

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About the Podcast

Jandals in Japan®
Bringing The Land of the Long White Cloud to The Land of the Rising Sun
The best show about New Zealanders doing business in Japan, bringing The Land of the Long White Cloud to The Land of the Rising Sun
How do you build a brand in Japan and nurture a loyal customer base?
What do you need to have in your tool belt if you are thinking of coming to Japan to launch a business here?
Japan is often considered to be in the "too hard" basket but we are here to open up the black box of doing business in Japan.
We will share stories from successful Kiwis selling their products and services here in Japan.
They'll tell you their tips for success and pitfalls to avoid.
They'll share their challenges and what they did to overcome them.
They will tell you things you can't find in textbooks or on the internet.
We will also be sharing the latest intel and insights on Japan from our on-the-ground presence
And you'll hear some super business culture and other tips from us sprinkled throughout.
Grab a glass of sake and let's get into it.
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About your hosts

Jayne Nakata

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Jayne Nakata is a Southland girl who arrived in Japan in 2002, planning to stay just two years. 20 years later she is still living in Fukushima Prefecture with her Japanese husband and two children. When the triple disaster hit in 2011, Jayne made the commitment to stay in Fukushima and contribute to rebuilding the area. She is the host of the award winning podcast Transformations with Jayne, which is a favourite with international women living in Japan. She is also the double award winning podcast producer and manager for PodLaunch with Jayne.

Catherine O’Connell

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Originally from Christchurch, Catherine O’Connell has lived in Japan since 2002 and has built a distinguished 23-year career as legal counsel in leading Japanese corporations. In 2018, she launched Catherine O’Connell Law, Tokyo’s first foreign female–founded boutique law firm, now a multi-award-winning practice.
Catherine is Vice Chair Emerita of the Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan (2012–2025) and currently serves as an Audit & Supervisory Board Member at Fujitsu Limited (2022–). She previously served on the Audit & Supervisory Board of Toyota Motor Corporation (2023–2025).
A trusted advisor to boards and coach/mentor to C-suite executives, Catherine helps leaders excel in the complex Japanese business environment with cross-cultural clarity and strategic insight.
Alongside co-hosting the Jandals in Japan™ Podcast, she is also the host of the award-winning Lawyer on Air Podcast, highlighting untold stories of women in law in Japan.