I had a very good discussion with a client about Japan’s future. From the eyes of a Japanese executive who has served both in a Japanese and an international corporation and my observations, here are some points we tackled about Japan and its people.
Visibility in the office
Japan has long been stereotyped as the land of overworked suit-wearing businessmen who stayed long hours in the office without so much productivity. This has to change. With COVID-19 changing work styles all over the world, we need to think on how to be more productive with this new normal and not insist on the traditional ways we’ve so gotten used to. The Japanese people's love of "hanko" and fax machines should give way to other modes that are more modern and accessible. We have to ride the tide of change in order not to be left out.
Awareness of the outside world
Because Japanese media channels focus more on local occurrences, a lot of people are left in the dark by what’s happening outside our shores. There are just bits and pieces scattered on TV or in the newspaper but in-depth analysis of overseas events can’t be found. Isn’t it enough to know what’s happening? No. If we continue to focus on just what’s happening right at our doorstep and not care enough to understand the bigger situation, we limit ourselves. Limiting oneself prevents us from knowing how to put things into perspective. The smallest inconvenience that we may experience might drive us crazy but when we understand that our inconvenience is even considered a privilege by others, we might learn more how to appreciate the beauty of what we have.
Stepping out of your comfort zone
When you talk to Asian university students outside Japan, a lot of them would share their interest in going to another country either to work or pursue graduate studies. This kind of temporary migration gives the students opportunities to acquire skills in their respective fields and learn life lessons. So, when it’s time to go back to their home countries, they not only bring the technology they’ve mastered but also a certain level of thinking (and maturity) that one can get when one’s horizon has been widened. Unfortunately, per a university professor in Tokyo, a lot of Japanese students nowadays don’t share the same sentiment as their Asian counterparts. Most of these students prefer to stay in Japan and aim to join the big local corporations. If such continues, those big local companies will continue on their path, without new skills and ideas because all the players have the same experiences and skills.
English is the lingua franca of the global business
When it comes to business English training, some companies are still hesitant to give in. However, Japanese companies should accept that in order to survive, they should embrace the need for English. Professionals working internationally can benefit immensely from business English training courses which will allow them to communicate effectively with their foreign counterparts or hired expats, with expertise and wisdom stemming from overseas experience.
The bottom line is that with COVID-19 forcing us to accept a “new normal”, it might be a good time to change perspectives that can escalate our business intentions. This change might be painful, but it might be the push that we need to boldly step out and look at things differently.
#myjapanlife #時事問題 #時事問題 #日本 ＃英語
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