About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
Important things to remember when talking to Japanese people

Talking Directly While Looking Each Other in the Eye – This Is the Basis for All Human Relations. In Japanese schools, we are always taught to look people in the eye when we talk to others. If you are working in a Japanese company, make sure to look your boss or your subordinate in the eye […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
What It Takes to Be a Future Leader in Japan?

By Ryoji Shimada We need to make our organization fair and transparent. Nowadays, social networking sites (SNS) have become so popular that it is not uncommon for employees to connect with each other online. Just a small rumor about the company can quickly spread among employees. Especially bad rumors can spread quickly. If a manager […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
A Role Model Employee in a Japanese Company

By Ryoji Shimada While Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic Corporation, is famous as one of Japan's leading business leaders, the man currently in 2021 being broadcast on NHK's (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) historical drama series is Eiichi Shibusawa, who is said to have laid the foundation for capitalism in Japan. As a businessman, he started […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
How to Train Your Subordinates in Japan?: Senyukoraku 先憂後楽 and 飲みにケーション Nominication

Leaders Need To Have the Spirit of 先憂後楽 (Senyukoraku) “hardship now, pleasure later.” There is a phrase, “Hardship now, pleasure later.” In Japanese it is written, "先憂後楽" (senyukoraku). All corporate managers should be the first to undergo hardships and the last to get pleasure.  Good managers always stay engaged in their work.  Even when they […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
How to Manage Your Subordinates in Japan?

What do you do to manage your subordinates? Do you give them a hard time? Or do you take a different approach? In this article, I will explain the subordinate management methods that have recently been adopted in Japan. Do Not Scare Or Intimidate Your Subordinates. There is a phrase “rule by fear.”  I hate this phrase […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
To Become a Leader in Japan (3): Bringing out the Talents of Your Subordinates

Can You Manage Talents of Your Subordinates in Japan? Those in supervisory positions who work hardest to develop the talents of those working under them are the ones who will rise most steadily in the ranks of an organization. A supervisor in charge of people whose work is steadily growing and improving is one who […]

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Japanese Job Interview
Recent Trends in Job Interviews in Japan (2): "Competency Interview" and "Presentation Interview"

What is a competency interview? The competency interview is a method of interviewing to determine a person's (interviewee's) qualifications, ability to perform the job, and to identify behavioral characteristics. It is often used in interviews, especially for younger, less experienced candidates. This is also important for foreigners who want to work in Japan, because this […]

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Live in Japan: Japanese lifestyle and its social culture
About Yakuza, Japanese Mafia, Organized Crime Syndicates in Japan

Yakaza on the verge of extinction by Ryoji Shimada, staff writer There are two yakuza movies "Yakuza to Kazoku" (Yakuza and its Family) and "Subarashiki Sekai" (Splendid World) that have been shown this year. They are both highly rated and seen by many people, but they all have one thing in common that the life […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
To Become a Leader in Japan (2): Corporate Growth Equals Human Growth

Many foreigners or non-Japanese in Japan plan to work in Japan for a few years and then return to their home country. On the other hand, there are those who want to live in Japan for a long time and eventually get a permanent residence or Japanese citizenship. There are also people who want to […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
To Become a Leader in Japan (1): Problem-solving Is Your Job

Many foreigners or non-Japanese in Japan plan to work in Japan for a few years and then return to their home country. On the other hand, there are those who want to live in Japan for a long time and eventually get a permanent residence or Japanese citizenship. There are also people who want to […]

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