Besides, Japan is a market that requires long term investment. However, I have never been shown a long term strategy plan that stated these goals at the outset of the Japan adventure.
Most initial strategy plans state profits as the objective.
At the time of market entry the foreign product is still unique or superior compared to the local product. The market actually asks for it. After some initial start-up losses, company A quickly becomes profitable. Company A's Japanese salesmen seem good at keeping customer relationships but definitely seem less capable of explaining the important product features. The Japanese competition starts selling similar products or services at lower prices with the main objective of gaining market share.