Nils Plett, president and CEO of QE Tech, is tall. While angling my camera skyward to get his picture, walking alongside requires two steps to his every stride.

As he explains, QE Tech stands for Quick and Efficient Technology. "Our software provides a revolutionary new solution to chronic problems experienced by companies and individuals in cross-cultural communications and business document authoring. In short, we offer productivity across cultures."

We meet Monday morning in Starbucks in Zushi, en route to his development office in Hayama. "We have two people down here, and four in the main office in Tokyo's Kyobashi. Usually I'm down here once a week. It's easier to concentrate."