I built my career in Japan as an American. I learned there's one thing that's non-negotiable.

Lauren Rose Kocher moved to Japan

Provided by Lauren Rose Kocher

• Lauren Rose Kocher, now 39, grew up in Indiana and became fascinated with Japan as a kid.
• She studied Japanese in college and has built her career — and started a family — in Japan.
• As CEO of a Tokyo-based marketing agency, she's learned not to assume silence means satisfaction.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lauren Rose Kocher, 39, an American entrepreneur and CEO of Vegas PR Group in Tokyo.