Bridging Cultures, Building Networks: A Conversation with Airties’ New EVP & GM APAC

John brings a wealth of experience in navigating Japan’s complex technology ecosystem. In this candid conversation, he shares insights on Japan’s business culture, the opportunity for Airties in the region, and the shift from global enterprise to high growth innovation.

John: One of the primary things to keep in mind is commitment. Japanese companies care deeply about delivering on time. Speed isn’t the primary goal, precision and reliability are.

It’s critical to think carefully before committing to timelines, because once trust is broken, it’s incredibly difficult to restore.

You must ensure your global organization can support the expectations you’ve set locally.

John: Airties has a compelling offering, software that gives CSP/ISPs deep insight into how technology is used in the home.

This isn’t about individual surveillance; it’s about large scale behavioral patterns. For Japanese ISPs and CSPs who are laser focused on quality of experience, the ability to optimize home Wi-Fi and differentiate through software is incredibly appealing.

Japan is competitive, margins are tight, and quality is non-negotiable. A premium service that drives better CX and offers monetizable data insights? That’s a serious value proposition.

John: They want differentiation.

Our software lets them deliver better customer experiences while reducing churn and even creating new revenue streams. Whether it’s empowering end users to self-diagnose issues via an application on a mobile device or enabling call centers to review household network history and recommend solutions, it all helps ISPs stay responsive and become sticky. That kind of support builds trust.

Also, homes in Japan, often built with reinforced concrete, face real Wi-Fi challenges. Even in smaller spaces, there’s a genuine need for extenders and mesh networks. That’s where our product has a clear edge.

John: At Nokia, I was part of a machine, 85,000 people globally. If you needed something, it already existed somewhere.

My concern in joining Airties was that I might be on my own, having to build from scratch.

But I was wrong.

The depth of talent here is exceptional. There’s a lot of passion, knowledge, and responsiveness. People are excited about expanding into Asia, especially Japan.

Whenever I need support, engineers raise their hands fast. It feels like a larger organization because of the drive and collaboration.

John: Surprisingly, Airties has more structure than I expected, just the right amount.

There are frameworks and approval processes that are freeing rather than restrictive. At Nokia, you had LOAs (Levels of Approval) for every deal. Airties has a similar system, but it’s leaner, more collaborative, and you get real strategic input from leadership. You walk away with ideas and new angles, not just a stamp of approval.

John: Embrace the refreshing change.

It’s exciting to work with the same customers but offer something new and different. For years, I helped telcos invest in their macro networks, massive capital investments. But inside the home, the final step to the end user was often left to chance and basic Wi-Fi.

Airties changes that. We provide CSP/ISPs with visibility and control over the home network, the last meters of user experience, plus we do it affordably, which makes it a smart extension of their larger macro investments.

John: Success is moving from engagement to deployment.

Japan has over 125 million people and a rich mix of national and regional providers, from NTT, Softbank, KDDI and Rakuten to Sony, JCOM and more regional power company ISPs.

I want to see us secure three to five partners who are excited to differentiate, grow ARPU, reduce churn, and increase their subscriber base.

If we can be their secret weapon, that’s success.

From Nokia’s global stage to a dynamic growth role at Airties, John Lancaster-Lennox is a leader who understands how to bridge cultures, scale businesses, and deliver results in one of the world’s most discerning markets.

As Airties deepens its presence in Japan and APAC, John’s insights and his ability to blend strategy with cultural fluency will be central to their continued momentum.

Navigating Japan’s talent landscape requires local insight, cultural fluency, and a trusted partner.

At Iperium, we’ve successfully recruited high impact executives and go to market teams in Japan for some of the world’s most ambitious technology companies. Whether you’re entering the market or scaling your presence, we know how to find the talent that moves the needle.

Let’s talk about how we can help you hire the right people to grow your business in Japan and across APAC.