Changing Manners in Japan
Can Ads' Subtle Hints Elicit More Considerate Behavior in Japan? By Ryoji Shimada Depending on which dictionary you peruse, a variety of definitions can be found for the word “manner.” Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English for example defines the word first as “the way in which something is done or happens.” The second definition is […]
A Revolutionary in the Intercity Bus Industry: Japan’s Express Bus Industry
At the lounge one might find powder rooms, dressing rooms, resting rooms and even shower rooms. Internet connections are free, as are various drinks including nourishing miso (soy bean paste) soup. You can check in your luggage and sleep or watch your favorite movies…What is this business? A hotel? An airline? Indeed, its president has […]
The Magic of Leaves: Business of Selling Leaves in Japan
The producer who gave purpose in life and independence to senior citizens, and vibrancy to a depopulated area Even after turning 100 years of age, if people can find “the joy of having a role,” new flowers will continue to bloom throughout their lives. Once senior citizens understand that there are things that even […]
Impressions about Japan and Japanese People
Source: Dentsu Inc. survey of 9,212 valid respondents, ages 20-59, in the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India, U.K., France, Germany, Russia, USA, Canada and Australia. In July of this year, the Dentsu ad agency released the results of its survey on “Japan Branding,” conducted in 16 foreign countries […]
How to Get Your Ideas Heard in Japanese Style Decision Making
How to Get Your Ideas Heard in Japanese Style Decision Making Getting Japanese companies to embrace new ideas takes a bit of work. What should you do when you are a foreigner working in a Japanese company? By P. Pringle An Opportunity Too Good To Pass up This is an example of navigating the Japanese […]
Making Made-in-Japan Porcelain: Noritake
As 66% of the land in Japan is covered by forest (mori in Japanese), Japan may rightly be called the foremost “forest country” among the world’s developed nations. Indeed, such forests even exist within Japan’s major cities. “Noritake no Mori (Noritake Garden)” is approximately 15 minutes by foot from JR Nagoya station. Covering an extensive […]
Interview with Ambassador: Muhammad Lutfi, ex-Indonesian Ambassador to Japan (now, Indonesian Ambassador to the United States as of September 14, 2020)
“We are at a critical juncture. We can cooperate together.” By Ryoji Shimada, staff writer “I want to be a single-handicap golf player. I want to ski down a ‘black’ (advanced) slope. And most importantly, I want to finish the Tokyo Marathon next year in under four hours,” said a smiling Ambassador Muhammad Lutfi on […]
Spirit of the SAMURAI in Japan: Through the Blue-eyed Karate Student
Japan is home to many world-famous martial arts. Sumo, Karate, Judo, Kendo, Aikido ... and the Ninjas have a martial art called Ninpo, which is necessary for assassins. The common denominator of all these is the relationship between master and student. This way of doing things and thinking can be found in many Japanese companies. […]
How to Overcome Frustration over Traffic Congestion in Japan
More people are driving to work or traveling this year to avoid contracting the coronavirus. However, traffic jams are unavoidable. What do you do when you are stuck in a traffic jam? A “Survey of families during traffic congestion” conducted by car audio maker Fujitsu Ten found that when their car is stuck in traffic […]