Working with Japanese

Motivating Japanese subordinates

Articles, Leadership, Working with Japanese by Rochelle Kopp

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Within the same culture, individuals vary as to what they find motivating. Finding motivators that work for the individual and understanding the culturally-determined aspects of motivation will...

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Why don’t Japanese share more information?

Articles, Cross-cultural communication, Working with Japanese by Rochelle Kopp

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Due to their struggles using and understanding the English language, Japanese often get exhausted trying to express themselves, and give up before they have communicated all the necessary information. ...

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Personality traits that work well in Japanese companies

Articles, Working with Japanese by Rochelle Kopp

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A short list of positive personality traits that make it easier to do business with Japanese companies...

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“Ogata heya” or cubicles? thoughts on sharing space

Articles, Japanese business keywords, Working with Japanese by Rochelle Kopp

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Japanese managers prefer staff to work in one large open room, Americans prefer cubicles, and some companies find a perfect hybrid...

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Senpai & kohai: in Japan, experience is the best teacher

Articles, Japanese business keywords, Working with Japanese by Rochelle Kopp

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More than just mentor/mentee or senior/junior, the senpai/kohai relationship is the basic organizing feature in a Japanese company...

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Japanese managers want subordinates to take the initiative

Articles, Working with Japanese by Rochelle Kopp

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Japanese managers expect experienced staffers to be self-starters...

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Japanese businesses: one big happy family? no. extended family? yes!

Articles, Japanese business, Working with Japanese by Rochelle Kopp

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"Habatsu," or factions within a Japanese company cause internal competition among groups rather than individuals...

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Japanese training 101: keep your eyes open with minarai

Articles, Japanese business keywords, Working with Japanese by Rochelle Kopp

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Training in Japan often involves learning by watching -- "minarai" -- rather than by classroom instruction...

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Clearing the air — the power of apology in Japan

Articles, Working with Japanese by Patricia Pringle

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If something goes wrong, don't make excuses; take responsibility and apologize....

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After five in Japan… happy hour or the crux of the matter? The art of nomunication

Articles, Japanese business keywords, Working with Japanese by Rochelle Kopp

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After-hours drinking provides an important outlet when Japanese businessmen allow themselves to speak their minds...

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