Hiroki Kato: Leaving Corporate Japan, Exposing Fraud in Vietnam & Building Asia’s Expert Knowledge Network – E670
Hiroki Kato, Founder of Arches and Jeremy Au discuss how leaving a safe Japanese corporate career pushed Hiroki into Southeast Asia’s faster markets, where exposure to fraud, cultural contrast, and insider truth reshaped his view of risk and opportunity. They explore how Vietnam’s optimism expanded his ambition, why public data often hides reality, and how expert conversations became the foundation for building Arches. The discussion connects personal courage with business execution, showing how disciplined hiring, focused delivery, and human trust systems built a competitive expert network.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6j50BbnNl3TEaY1vxJ2T3n?si=1cJpS8ZdTMqcREV5a_klmw
Youtube: https://youtu.be/8CqqMnf5-Cw"When I talk with ex-accounting staff, the management used investor money to buy their personal stuff like villas or houses. The management asked their staff not to share any information with the investor side, especially consultants, telling them, If you share any information you’ll be fired. That policy stayed internal and I got a lot of information like that. Of course this research cannot provide all the information." - Hiroki Kato, Founder of Arches
"First of all people are young. But not only young, they’re energetic and believe in the future. They always expect a bright future, so their behavior is active, aggressive, and positive. That expanded my horizon because I was born and grew up in Japan in a mature market. In Vietnam the living environment is not perfect, but for me it is much more fantastic and much more fun than living in Japan." - Hiroki Kato, Founder of Arches
"Long story short, I had experience seeing issues in the market and at the same time wanted to solve them through one interview with specific people. I realized there was an issue in the market and a solution there, so I decided to do it. That experience changed my life." - Hiroki Kato, Founder of Arches