The Best-selling Book in Japan: Saka no Ue no Kumo (Clouds above the Hill)
Giving a New Angle on Japan: “Blockbuster Historical Novel Depicting Japan’s Rise Now Available in English” By Ryoji Shimada Celebrated Among Business Managers “Many business managers or company presidents list Saka no Ue no Kumo (Clouds above the Hill) as their favorite book,” says Yoshikatsu Morikawa, office manager at Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum. […]
Japan-Malaysia Relationships: What Comes After the Look East Policy? Japan and Malaysia from Vertical Relations to an Equal Partnership
Look East Policy Still Alive By Ryoji Shimada Mahathir bin Mohamad, Malaysia’s former Prime Minister, began to espouse his country’s “Look East Policy” 30 years ago. That policy called for learning from countries in the East, especially Japan. Since then, however, the region and the world at large have undergone numerous changes, particularly in the […]
Tessei, The Shinkansen Omotenashi: The Seven-minute Short Play with Winning Applause
Invigorating Employees for Business Success In the 1980s, when Japan's economic development was remarkable, there was a trend to learn Japanese management techniques from the world. Today, Japan's population is aging, its economy has been overtaken by China and it has fallen to third place in the world, and in the age of IT and […]
What Are the Main Goals of 20-year-old Japanese?
To graduate from an institution Save money Obtain certification in some field Get hired or line up a job Obtain a driver’s license Find a lover Expand social contacts Study abroad Other All (1,024) Males (500) Females (524) Source: SEIKO HOLDINGS CORPORATION Last year, in a survey of 20-year olds asked what goal they hope […]
High-tech Pollen Detector by World’s Largest Weather Company
The Japanese have been wearing masks a lot since before the coronavirus. Foreigners who visit Japan always ask the question, "Why do so many people wear masks? is. There are many reasons for this, but in early spring, people with hay fever especially wear them. For this reason, pollen dispersal is broadcast on the news […]
Business Target in Japan: Japanese Company’s Sales Target and Setting Goals
Japanese Company’s Sales Target Can be Perfunctory By R. Kopp At a Japanese firm’s U.S. operation, the company’s yearly plan included the very challenging goals of 7% net margin and an increase in sales of 15%. Everyone in the company worked very hard, but despite their best efforts they were not able to achieve those goals. […]
Kyogen, the Longest Lasting Theatrical Performance in the World
By Ryoji Shimada, Staff Writer What is "Kyogen"? It is a comedy with samurai spirits in its background” The story goes… A master becomes aware that two servants have been purloining his sake (Japanese rice wine) during his absences. In an effort to discourage their thievery before departing on his next trip, the master uses […]
Eco Solutions from Japan: Environmental Products from Japan
During her visit to Japan in February 2005, Kenyan environmentalist and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai was introduced mottainai campaign – an accurate reflection of the to an ancient Buddhist term that captured her imagination. That term was mottainai, a Japanese word that describes a sense of gratitude for natural resources and a […]
Marcos Bezerra Abbott Galvão: Ambassador of Brazil to Japan (current Brazilian Ambassador to the European Union in Brussels)
“We have been working together for more than 100 years” By Ryoji Shimada, staff writer Brazil, with its relatively young population of nearly 200 million and rapidly growing economy has overtaken the UK to become the world’s sixth largest economy after the US, China, Japan, Germany and France. There are even more expectations ahead of […]
Japanese-style Debate
Japanese-style Debate and Discussion By P. Pringle An All-too-common Situation in a Japanese Company Have you been in a meeting like this? The Japanese and Americans working at a Japanese multinational company are having a meeting to discuss an issue. Both sides agree to brainstorm the topic. The Japanese start asking questions. The Americans start […]