Current events

January 08, 2014 Japan and the legacy of Margaret Thatcher

The death of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher prompted much reflection on national and cultural identity in 2013 and the debate continues into 2014 - so as we look...

December 04, 2013 The problem with long working hours in Japan

Professor Shunsuke Takahashi points to the workaholism behind long working hours in Japan and how times have changed, so that "gambaru" (try your hardest) is no longer enough - employees...

October 05, 2013 English in the workplace seems too rude to Japanese ears

As we often point out in our seminars, it's not just the language barrier that causes problems when using English with Japanese colleagues, it's that English just sounds rude sometimes...

March 17, 2013 Movie Review: Emperor

A Japanese culture expert reviews the new movie about General MacArthur and the U.S. occupation of Japan....

March 16, 2013 Why 80% of Japanese returning to Japan HQ quit

Japanese employers need to view employees departing for foreign companies as “alumni”; by keeping in touch and keeping the door open should they wish to return a few years later,...

October 24, 2012 A fresh look at governance – lessons from the Olympus case

Foreign executives in Japanese companies need intensive support and guidance, such as coaching from those experienced in managing Japanese employees, and training on how Japanese boards work, if they are...

July 28, 2012 Report from the Olympics

Here in London, my lack of enthusiasm for the Olympics has been won over by the way it is revealing "Britishness" and some insights on Japan too...

April 22, 2012 Holding company executives to account

It seems as if a more than usually high number of chief executives and company presidents in the UK and in Japan are being publicly held to account these past...

February 12, 2012 Thought leaders can help Japan win global communication war

January 08, 2012 Steve Jobs — Japanese-style manager?

Steve Jobs' management style had a lot of in commmon with Japanese....