The Art of Access
True quality in Japan is rarely loud. The best suppliers do not compete for attention; they wait for the right introduction. We serve as that introduction, bridging not just markets but cultures, expectations, and unspoken protocols that define lasting business relationships.
This is not sourcing—this is cultural translation that transforms risk into partnership.
On The Founder
Rie Toda Flores has spent years consulting for global firms in the most rigorous and highly regulated sectors, building relationships with Japan's most exclusive suppliers.
Fluent in both Japanese business culture and Western expectations, she serves as the cultural interface that transforms risk into partnership.
Her network spans from 200-year-old confectionery houses in Kyoto to cutting-edge manufacturers in Tokyo, each relationship built on trust and mutual respect.
From Advisory to Access
For five years, I helped major organizations navigate Japan's market entry challenges. Each successful partnership deepened my relationships with the country's most exclusive suppliers. Thames&Tokyo was born to package that curated network—and the cultural fluency to maintain it—for UK businesses ready to source at the highest level.
Building Trust, One Relationship at a Time
A journey through the experiences that shaped our approach to cultural bridge-building.
Global Operations & Technology
2008-2012
Led supply chain operations for Nissan/Renault between Paris and Tokyo, mastering complex international logistics and technology systems.
Strategic Marketing Leadership
2013-2017
At McCann Tokyo, advised leadership on cross-cultural client communication strategies, preventing high-stakes misalignments between Japanese marketing leadership and global Fortune 500 clients. Developed frameworks that ensured complex marketing initiatives resonated across both business cultures.
Building the Network
2018-2022
Established independent consultancy facilitating Japan market entry for major organizations across highly regulated sectors. Built direct relationships with 200+ exclusive suppliers—from 210-year-old Kyoto confectioneries to precision manufacturers in Osaka—while advising clients like Palantir, UK healthcare networks, and global insurance firms on Japanese partnership strategies.
Thames&Tokyo Launch
2022-Present
Founded Thames&Tokyo to serve as the bridge between UK businesses and Japan's hidden market, transforming cultural barriers into competitive advantages for our clients.
Japanese & English bilingual
UK-Japan business experience
Partnerships facilitated
Failed relationships to date
The Problem: The Invisible Market
What you see in export catalogs and trade shows represents only the surface of Japan's quality landscape.
Export Catalogs
Relationships Only
Language & Protocol Barriers
The most exclusive suppliers operate in Japanese only, with business protocols that require cultural fluency to navigate successfully. Without proper cultural context, even fluent Japanese speakers can misread the subtle signals that indicate trustworthiness.
The Invisible Quality Layer
What appears premium to Western eyes often represents the accessible surface level, not the true artisanal quality reserved for insiders. The finest producers reserve their best products for established relationships.
The Cost of Cultural Misreading
A single cultural misstep can permanently close doors to the very suppliers you need most. Japanese business culture values long-term relationships over short-term gains, making first impressions irreversible.
The Solution: Cultural Interface
We act as a cultural interface for your business, absorbing the friction and transforming complexity into opportunity.
Curation & Vetting
Every supplier in our network undergoes rigorous evaluation for quality, reliability, and cultural alignment with your business values.
Cultural Translation
We translate not just language, but business culture, expectations, and unspoken protocols that make or break partnerships.
End-to-End Execution
From first handshake to final export, we remain involved to ensure every detail meets both cultural and commercial expectations.
Execution & Peace of Mind
We remain involved from the first handshake to the final export, ensuring every detail meets both cultural and commercial expectations.
Timeline Clarity
Clear timelines with realistic expectations based on cultural business rhythms, not Western urgency.
Quality Assurance
Personal oversight of every step, from initial sampling to final quality control and export documentation.
Relationship Continuity
We don't just make introductions—we facilitate ongoing relationships that grow stronger over time.
Our Vision: A Two-Way Bridge
We believe the best partnerships are built on mutual understanding and respect. Our role is not just to connect UK businesses with Japanese suppliers, but to help both sides understand each other's expectations, communication styles, and business philosophies.
When cultural understanding flows in both directions, the result is not just successful transactions, but lasting partnerships that create value for everyone involved.