Japanese business culture – Being included
It is hard to overestimate this aspect of Japanese culture, particularly since it differs so completely from the experience of most Westerners. For a great many generations, the Japanese have...
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Liens de loyauté selon le système sempai/kohai
La dynamique sempai/kohai (senior/junior) affecte profondément le fonctionnement des entreprises japonaises...
The various roles of Japanese expatriates
Many of the Japanese expatriates at my clients’ subsidiaries in the U.S. don’t have a clear idea of what their role is. Given vague titles like “Coordinator” or “Liaison”,...
Shanai shoshin – Promotion from within
The old practice of lifetime employment has started to fray at the edges…Yet, even while making greater use of flexible staffing, Japanese companies tend to maintain a “core” staff who...
Shushoku Katsudo – Job Hunting in Japan
In the U.S., professors typically do not have contact with companies in the recruiting process. In Japan your professor determines not only your grades but also holds the key...
Working with Japan – Let’s have lunch
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
Our tips on how to nemawashi (build consensus) with Japan headquarters when you can't be there....
Same Words, Different Meanings in Japan, Mexico and the U.S.
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
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
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...