Live in Japan: Japanese lifestyle and its social culture
Ninja Still Alive: Devoting One’s Life to Ninjutsu Training and Study

Ninja Still Alive: Devoting One’s Life to Ninjutsu Training and Study Ryoji Shimada, staff writer What is your image of ninja? Their image that comes to mind for most people is of someone clad in black clothes, sword strapped to their back, hurling shuriken throwing stars, and running across the surface of water or disappearing […]

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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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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
Japan's Rice Innovation: Prewash Rice (musenmai)

Drycleaning Rice: The Toyo Rice Center process retains flavor and nutrition The idea of washing rice may be alien to Western people who are used to getting rice out of a box. But in fact, from India to Korea, it is a pan-Asian practice. Rice grown and packaged in America go through a cleaning process […]

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Live in Japan: Japanese lifestyle and its social culture
About Being a Foreigner Working in Japan

Being a Gaijin or Gaikokujin in Japan By D. McCaughan A foreigner living in Japan, like any expatriate experience, soon learns that working here has many behaviors that might seem strange “at home.” Not long ago I was in a meeting when . . . Differences Between Japan and Foreign Countries Of course there are […]

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Live in Japan: Japanese lifestyle and its social culture
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 […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
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 […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
Who is Uesugi Yozan?

Present-day site of Uesugi Castle

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
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 […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
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 […]

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About Japanese companies and Japanese business people
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 […]

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