How to Motivate Employees in Japan
By Patricia Pringle How to Motivate Employees in Japan Charlie, who had been working at a Japanese manufacturing company for just over a year, did not feel appreciated. His company had just delivered their product to the market, after a race to rescue the schedule from some unforeseen setbacks. Everyone had pulled together as a […]
What is the focal point of your life?
What is the focal point of your life? 1. Leisure 2. Income 3. A healthy diet 4. Savings 5. Self-development 6. Living 7. Durable goods like cars 8. Nothing in particular 9. Clothes 10. Others Source: Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
futon
Futon （布団 ふとん） Futons are Japanese beds. A set of futons includes a shikibuton (mattress) and kakebuton (quilt). When not used, the futons are folded up and placed inside a closet called an oshiire. Futons allow small Japanese rooms to be used more efficiently. Japanese quilted bedding placed on the floor. This bedding is usually used […]
おまたせしました“o-ma-ta-se shi-ma-shi-ta”
おまたせしました“o-ma-ta-se shi-ma-shi-ta” This phrase is often used in Japanese conversations. In a nutshell, it means "thank you for waiting." But more precisely speaking it is used for showing your respect for others and being sorry that you are late. This phrase is usually used after you keep someone waiting for some reason or other. If […]
Japanese-style management
The Differences Between Japanese-style Management and American-style Management By Patricia Pringle Joe Jones got a job working for a Japanese company that was well-known in his area of technical expertise. He had looked forward to getting to know his boss, Jiro Suzuki, and finding out what sort of projects Suzuki wanted him to start working […]
What kind of boss can you respect in Japan?
What kind of boss can you respect? 1. Duly appreciates my business results 2. Doesn’t shift the responsibility onto someone else 3. Decisive 4. Fair to everyone without discriminating or favoring 5. Trustworthy 6. Has personal magnetism 7. Can cover his or her subordinate’s failure completely 8. Listens carefully to what others say 9. […]
noren
Noren （暖簾 のれん） Noren, are short curtains with vertical slits hung in front of restaurants, bars, and shops during business hours. The name of the shop or a symbol indicating the products sold there may be dyed into the cloth, so the noren also functions as a shop sign. Since a shop's noren symbolizes the shop, […]
tokonoma
Tokonoma （床の間 とこのま） Tokonoma, a kind of decorative alcove in a Japanese‐style room, normally has such features as raised flooring, one to three hanging scrolls called kakejiku or kakemono on the back wall, and a flower arrangement on the floor. Rooms with tokonoma are not often seen now. Tokonoma is a magnificent room in a Japanese-style […]