About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
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 […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
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 […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
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.  […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
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 […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
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 […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
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 […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
Where Does Japan's Soft-power Come From?: The Truth About Japan's Creativity

Behind Japanese Creativity The award ceremony for the Ig Nobel Prize, which is given for unique scientific research, was held online in September 2021. The prize was awarded to a Japanese research team led by Assistant Professor Hisashi Murakami of Kyoto Institute of Technology, who conducted experiments and verified why pedestrians sometimes bump into other […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
Guest House Business in Japan

A Place for Gathering, Beyond All Borders By Ryoji Shimada “The guesthouse is just a means of attaining our objective,” Takuya Kirimura admits. “Traveling makes people feel ‘flat.’ With no precondition or prejudice, people can meet new people just as one human being to another, with no barriers between them.” Kirimura is CFO of Backpackers’ […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
Bicqlo Store Combines Clothes and Electronics to Boost Consumption

Bicqlo Store Combines Clothes and Electronics By Ryoji Shimada “It’s a wonderful hodgepodge!” raves one sign. “Home appliances evolve, and so do clothes!” says another. With such claims at the store front and eye-catching electronic bulletin boards displaying constantly updated information on products, one’s curiosity would naturally be piqued, and certainly expect to find something […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
Hierarchy in Japanese Companies

Hierarchy in a Japanese company One aspect of Japanese corporate culture that often is difficult for non-Japanese to understand is the importance of hierarchy.  The status relationships among various different members of the organization is a key determining factor in how they interact with each other, and how they expect others to interact with them. […]

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