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Working with Japan – Let’s have lunch

Articles, Working with Japanese by Patricia Pringle

In Japan, the lunch break is Noon to 1:00pm. All work stops and everyone goes to lunch at the same time…Americans work at their desks through lunch or get their...

Nemawashi from a distance

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

Our tips on how to nemawashi (build consensus) with Japan headquarters when you can't be there....

non-verbal and verbal communication Japan U.S. Mexico comparison

Same Words, Different Meanings in Japan, Mexico and the U.S.

Articles, Japanese culture, Latin America by Sarah Aptilon

Learning a new language is only the beginning—then we have to figure out what people mean by the words they say in that other culture, and it isn’t always easy....

Power harassment

Articles, HR management, Japanese business keywords by Rochelle Kopp

Being harsh towards one’s subordinates is often encouraged in Japanese culture, and a blind eye is turned toward yelling and other harsh treatment. For many Japanese, a tough boss...

Public criticism from Japanese managers

Articles, Japanese business, Working with Japanese by Rochelle Kopp

Non-Japanese employees of Japanese firms frequently mention the penchant that many Japanese managers have for public criticism. Whereas Americans would prefer to receive negative feedback in private, Japanese seem...

Engineering culture gap for Japanese firms

Articles, Global management, HR management by Rochelle Kopp

Methods used to manage engineers in Japan often do not meet the expectations of non-Japanese engineers. This results in disruptive high turnover rates, and difficulty transferring technology....

“Cross-cultural fitness” for Japanese companies

Articles, Global management, HR management by Rochelle Kopp

For Japanese companies operating outside Japan, this means that the Japanese expatriates assigned to overseas locations are knowledgeable about different cultures and take those cultures into account in their business...

the cowboy epitomizes American decision-making style

The decision making process in Japan

Articles, Japanese society, North America by Rochelle Kopp

Japanese companies have mixed feelings about their decision-making processes. Employees will admit that the process is quite frustrating at times, and it seems that some Japanese businesspeople regard how...

use graphics and don't be wordy when communicating with Japanese

Are Americans bad at organizing data?

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

Japanese executives often complain that their American colleagues are “bad at organizing data.” According to one Japanese manager who is a key decision-maker in his company’s operations in Japan,...

Review of “With Respect to the Japanese: Going to Work in Japan” by John C Condon and Tomoko Matsumoto

Articles, Book reviews, Working with Japanese by Pernille Rudlin

This book has tried, and largely succeeded, in pinning down the elusive undercurrents of Japanese corporate life. If you are looking for a practical “top negotiating tips and etiquette” type...

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Free Resources

Working with Japan – Let’s have lunch

Nemawashi from a distance

Same Words, Different Meanings in Japan, Mexico and the U.S.

Power harassment

Public criticism from Japanese managers

Engineering culture gap for Japanese firms

“Cross-cultural fitness” for Japanese companies

The decision making process in Japan

Are Americans bad at organizing data?

Review of “With Respect to the Japanese: Going to Work in Japan” by John C Condon and Tomoko Matsumoto

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