Kakinotane: Japan's Most Famous and Popular Rice Cracker
Kakinotane, Rice Crackers, Were Born from Imperfect Oval Crackers What is kakinotane? With their hot and spicy taste, kakinotane ("kaki" is persimmon in Japanese and "tane" is seed, so literally meaning persimmon seed) rice crackers go well with drink, especially beer. Recently, kakinotane coated in chocolate has also made its appearance and even more various […]
“HoRenSo” for non-Japanese employees (7) Japanese Typical Communication Style: Top to Bottom & Management Through Information
Horenso for Non-Japanese Employees (7): Japanese Typical Communication Style: Top to Bottom & Management Through Information Q: Mr. Nishi set up his own company. He makes contact with his clients and manages his schedule and other administration at home. His wife helps him out with these. In his book, Mr. Nishi mentions his wife, “One […]
“Opinion Leaders” in Japan
What is Opinion Leaders? By an Australian female living in Tokyo When I first started working in Japan, someone asked me how to translate a Japanese term into English. The term, written in katakana, was “opinion leader.” I didn’t quite know what it meant. How could someone be an opinion leader? There are specialists whose […]
“HoRenSo” for non-Japanese employees (6) Try “Active Listening”
Horenso for Non-Japanese Employees (6): Try “Active Listening” Q: I think that in reporting, contacting, and consulting, the most important point is to convey it accurately in a timely manner and to be understood by the other party. But I have also heard that “active listening” is also important. What does it mean? Does it […]
Japanese Business Culture: “Nemawashi”
Japanese Business Culture: “Nemawashi” By Patricia Pringle What Is the Purpose of a Meeting? Henry Jones was hired at a large Japanese manufacturer after working for an American company for 10 years. He immediately observed that they did not use a type of tracking software that was standard in the industry. He suggested to his […]
Tempura and Its History in Japan: It Is Actually an Import!
Typical Japanese Cuisine Tempura Is Actually an Import! Recently, there has been an increase in overseas interest in Japanese culture. Not to mention new Japanese culture such as Anime and Manga, interest has also been focused on Japanese cuisine. Along with sushi, tempura is popular overseas as typical Japanese cuisine. The History of Tempura But […]
What are Japanese-style employment practices?
Lifetime Employment: Japanese Style Management Systems Are Still Alive The collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008, like falling off a cliff, plunged the world into a seemingly bottomless pit of economic slowdown. In his first post-inaugural press conference President Obama said, “Japan was unable to mobilize quickly during the 1990s and thus experienced the […]
What you need to work in Japan?
There are many types of visas needed to stay in Japan. Recently, the number of foreigners working in Japan has been increasing. Most of them have recently acquired new visas. Please see the red part in the table below. Japan's aging population is the most advanced in the world, and the working population is decreasing. […]
How to Pass a Japanese Job Interview (1)
Every country has its own unique characteristics. Corporate culture is one of them. Business manners, business procedures, relations between superiors and subordinates, and the atmosphere of the workplace are all different from country to country. The job interview will be the first step in experiencing these cultural differences. We are the same human being, so […]
“HoRenSo” for non-Japanese employees (5) Which Is Better, Verbal Reporting or Written Reporting?
Which Is Better, Verbal Reporting or Written Reporting? Q: My friend is of the opinion that reporting should be in documents. I think it is more realistic to change the way of reporting according to the situation. During a training period, we were taught that written reports are better if numbers or matters which likely […]