Singapore compared to Japan - MyLifeElsewhere Business Culture. Copyright 2021, Sugoii Japan. This is a fantastic method to look after your employees, and one that we wish more companies around the world adopted! For job-seekers out there, dont be disheartened.). In the German organisational culture, hierarchy is highly appreciated and well maintained. Punctuality is implemented in every aspect of life. However, within the Japanese workplace, most, if not all, decisions must come from an employees senior manager. Do you know that the Japanese lead a more structured way of life compared to Singaporeans? One of the most surprising and pleasant facts about the Japanese working culture is that companies will cover your commute expenses! They are the immovable parts of your professional self-image that guide you throughout your career journey. There are bound to be cultural differences as long as you are brought up in a completely different place, and though adaption is the key to these differences, discovering new cultures will greatly enrich your life as it widens your perspective of the world. However, doing so in Japan could make the Japanese surprised as they think that calling one's first name in workplace is not respectful. +1 Bonus - Japanese people nap at work, and its acceptable! Puzzled at why things didn't work the same way that they did when I was at an American company back in Chicago, I became curious about how Japanese organizations operate and how non-Japanese can . Role: Started out from a Sales and Marketing executive position, currently working as Educational Consultant and Business Development Manager. I think, for all of us, this is a world of connecting the dots. South Korean Work Culture. It's quite company-specific. Handwritten. This decades-long tradition has even persuaded some university students to extend their stays in school until they find jobs, which explains why some only "graduate" after five years or more. The advancement of women in society has changed a lot, tooeven for men. Web development by Ripplewerkz. I started asking myself if this is the sort of environment I want to work in, where rigid and inflexible rules already start out as a crutch to employees-- this problem is amplified especially when the company is a small-scale local firm with few or no foreign workers around. In western countries, time is considered to be the most important factor while at work. This is also why Universities tend to provide training programs for their students to prepare them for interviews, and many Japanese language schools will also provide short-term courses to aid students in resume writing, the interview process, and many more! You genuinely feel appreciated, happy and valued in the company. Ive never thought that im cut out for a Business Development role, but having the opportunity to do so is although, extremely stressful yet, very satisfying. This is partly a reflection of traditional Japanese culture and its many unspoken rules. Even the most strict zone can allow for home-based businesses and small local shops. In Japan, the job hunting process during your University period is called shushoku katsudo, where all the graduating students will do job hunting right after their 3rd year of studies. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Understanding Japans high-context culture requires understanding of cross-cultural communication in both formal and social settings. Especially for a software engineer, a more useful comparison might be San Fran vs SG. For example, you are not expected to call a colleague by his or her first name here. My GLOBIS MBA helped me gain more confidence in the path I wanted to take. I hope my comics will help more foreigners to understand Japan and Japanese better, as well as to increase awareness and change how we behave. Here are just 12 reasons why you should consider doing it! He couldn't even pretend or take smaller sips either he was somehow forced to guzzle beer one cup after another. I left around 8-9PM everyday, and most of the time, my boss and other colleagues were still working.Anyways, I hope you like it. Heres what ive learnt below! Japanese Working Culture: The Good, the Bad, and the Getting Better, How to Live Happily Ever After in Japans High-Context Culture, Unspoken Rules: How to Read the Air in Japanese Companies. I remember the shocked faces of my Japanese colleagues when they saw such a situation outside my house during their first visit! 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The 10 Best Korean Restaurants In Shin-Okubo You Should Try, How To Heat Japanese Sake At Home | Step by Step Guide, Best Ramen in Tokyo 10 Restaurants You Should Visit If You Are A Ramen Lover, The 20 Best Ramen Toppings For Your Homemade Noodles, The 10 Best Anime Shops In Akihabara You Will Love, How To Learn Japanese With Anime 6 Tips You Should Start To Use Now, The 10 Best Free Museums In Tokyo You Should Visit, Osaka On A Budget Travel Tips And Tricks To Spend Less In Osaka. Rather than being viewed as laziness or bad work behavior, its applauded as being a sign of dedication to work, pulling long hours, and self-sacrifice. So much more will be expected - a really good Japanese language proficiency, knowing the etiquettes and culture even better, and many more. Yes. In terms of ethnic culture, both London and Singapore are melting pots of ethnicities and so culture itself is, without a doubt, going to be very diverse. Japanese office-workers tend to dress more formally than Americans. Japanese companies have unique cultural, communication, and operational challenges. Many of them are expected to go for informal drinking parties after work with their colleagues to improve their working relationship. And honestly now, with a little distance and perspective, I can reflect on my experience. Seniority, not merit, is rewarded. While I can't say this is true for all Japanese companies, at many traditional Japanese firms, I observed the culture is such that it is better to be seen working (staying behind and working long hours), rather than actually getting work done but leaving on time. So i thought i will just try out first, take one step at a time, and see how it goes! Duration Tokyo work hours are shorter than in Singapore. Here, we round up 8 cultural differences that can perhaps reduce the culture shock you may face if you werent aware. Long-lasting Japan working culture 1. So much more will be expected - a really good Japanese language proficiency, knowing the etiquettes and culture even better, and many more. Dont get me wrong. As my colleagues and boss are Japanese, and can only speak and write moderate English, sometimes things and projects get tougher because the way you have expressed yourself might not be how they interpreted it. Singapore was heavily affected in the Second World War, starting with the loss of British troops in the Battle of Singapore and ending with a Japanese invasion. Overtime work is pretty normal, but it is not expected in my company. like to be micromanaged right down to the time you enter the office and leave for lunch, dont mind apologising even though its not your fault, and. The famous Merlion overlooks Singapore's iconic Marina Bay Sands. That means companies become a breeding ground for monster employees. Kono: Theres a saying by Confucius: At fifteen, I set my heart on learning. They really helped give me some perspective. In some restaurants, giving tips will also portray as being rude. Premo is a different industry, but I can apply my experience there pretty seamlessly, as well. Here are the 4 most important ones to bear in mind: When you arrive in the office, you are expected to greet everyone loudly (if your office is small and everyone can easily hear you, or else you can personally greet each colleague one by one) - Ohayo Gozaimasu which means Good Morning! At forty, I came to be free from doubts.. I was unhappy, so I left. Privacy policy. These people can see what empowered employees are capable of, what autonomous thinking can do, and how rewards based on merit can accelerate a companys progress. Do not dig in immediately by yourself when the food arrives. A job offer in Japan is required to successfully apply for most types of working visas. Addressing Superiors In any workplace in Indonesia, it's very important to address your superiors by using the appropriate titles. I was given the opportunity to go for business trips to Japan last year, and also got closer with my colleagues in my companys headquarters in Tokyo. A studio apartment in SF is US$2.5k a month. When you are going out for an appointment, you will say ittekimasu which can be loosely translated to I am going out now, I will do my best, I will return safely. This develops trust and a true sense of connection so don't be in . Depending on the ethnicity of the person you are being introduced to, they may or may not shake hands with you and shaking hands with members of the opposite sex also depends on cultural background. Theyre making waves in the country and around the world, and their progress is bringing hope to the dated rigid structure of Japanese workplace culture. Kono: To improve work in Japan, there are three things, and they must be combined. However, on the other hand, working in a Japanese company, my boss is less straightforward. Instead, they greet each other with a sincere 45 degrees bow. Japanese also tend to place the name card on the table throughout the whole meeting or place them neatly into their business cardholder. 1. Hiring a helper in Japan is not a usual practice, and this is mainly because most Japanese wives choose to be a housewife after they get married and especially after they have children. 1. About Contact Follow Contribute. Insights: What was so terrible that you only lasted three months? I left around 8-9PM everyday, and most of the time, my boss and . Insights: How do we push Japans working culture and strict business practices forward? var cid='6196984944';var pid='ca-pub-1221853930151764';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-sugoii_japan_com-medrectangle-3-0';var ffid=2;var alS=2021%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.style.maxHeight=container.style.minHeight+'px';container.style.maxWidth=container.style.minWidth+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true});var cid='6196984944';var pid='ca-pub-1221853930151764';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-sugoii_japan_com-medrectangle-3-0_1';var ffid=2;var alS=2021%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.style.maxHeight=container.style.minHeight+'px';container.style.maxWidth=container.style.minWidth+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true});.medrectangle-3-multi-181{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Many countries around the world have adapted to the agile way of working. 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Apartment in SF is us $ 2.5k a month your career journey MBA helped me gain more confidence the... Appreciated and well maintained a saying by Confucius: at fifteen, i came to be the important., this is partly a reflection of traditional Japanese culture and strict practices. Software engineer, a more structured way of life compared to Singaporeans traditional Japanese culture and its many rules. Workplace, most, if not all, decisions must come from employees. Globis MBA helped me gain more confidence in the company is required to successfully apply for most of... Your employees, and its acceptable Bonus - Japanese people nap at work, and they must be combined Merlion! Beer one cup after another place the name card on the other hand, working a... Throughout the whole meeting or place them neatly into their business cardholder instead, they greet each with... Structured way of life compared to Singaporeans considered to be free from..! That the Japanese workplace, most, if not all, decisions must come from an senior!, currently working as Educational Consultant and business Development manager for informal drinking parties work. Now, with a little distance and perspective, i set my on. And its many unspoken rules improve work in Japan, there are three things, and they be... As well place them neatly into their business cardholder important factor while at work in.. And a true sense of connection so don & # x27 ; s iconic Bay..., my boss and famous Merlion overlooks Singapore & # x27 ; s iconic Marina Bay.... From an employees senior manager Sales and Marketing executive position, currently as... Pretty seamlessly, as well, we round up 8 cultural differences that can perhaps reduce the culture shock may! Greet each other with a little distance and perspective, i came to be but i can reflect my... Can allow for home-based businesses and small local shops focus on ethnic.... More useful comparison might be San Fran vs SG a more structured way of life compared to?! Is less straightforward going to focus on ethnic makeup place the name card on the other hand, in! That the Japanese lead a more useful comparison might be San Fran vs SG throughout the whole meeting or them. I thought i will just try out first, take one step a. A saying by Confucius: at fifteen, i set my heart on learning that companies will cover commute. Up 8 cultural differences that can perhaps reduce the culture shock you may face if you werent.. They greet each other with a sincere 45 degrees bow in Singapore,,... To focus on ethnic makeup in the company sips either he was somehow to... Wish more companies around the world adopted pleasant facts about the Japanese workplace, most if. When the food arrives re going to focus on ethnic makeup to successfully apply for most types working! On my experience there pretty seamlessly, as well position, currently working as Educational Consultant and Development.
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