I encourage everyone to join the open discussion in our newly-formed Facebook group called Our Mastermind Group-Japan. Let’s discuss and mastermind about the paradigm shift caused by the great Tohoku Quake. It is not at all crass to say that in this darkest moment, the light of hope can and will shine in. Become an active participant by going to
Let’s make the world more conscious and responsible by building more measured businesses. Japan is the starting point for this new awareness and transformation. Be part of the change.
“So much of our time is preparation, so much is routine, and so much retrospect, that the path of each man’s genius contracts itself to a very few hours.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~
Several years ago I met a British English teacher living in Japan (with an attitude) who said to me, “Japan is the most boring society in the world. Everything is easily predictable.”
He was right and is right. Despite new fashions and the craze with cell phones, by and large many Japanese people follow the rules of society without question.
I can hear some of you living here protesting this blanket generalization, but the orange-haired college student with nose rings and over-sized jeans dropped to a point where boxer shorts take over will – to a man – recolor his hair when it is time to enter the workforce and put on the bland salariman’s attire when push comes to shove.
He will drink and smoke for acceptance and then out of habit. He will seldom believe himself capable of entrepreneurial endeavors unless downsized due to the fluidity of Japan’s corporate culture today.
The lady will go to university with intent to become something, but predictably often drop the ball on a career once impregnated by the overworked hubby.
Some women, also quite predictably, will refrain from having children so they can continue working at jobs which predictably have a glass ceiling but that allows them to have financial freedom and Gucci attire. That glass ceiling is predictably not challenged by most of these gals.
But this is not meant to be a jab at Japanese society. It is meant to point out that if you learn the rhythms of Japanese culture, you can accurately predict what the people want, how they want it, and the price they will be willing to pay for your product/service.
Criticize Japanese people and manners amongst the gaijin (foreigners’) community in Japan if you must, but don’t let that cultural bias of yours blind you to opportunity in this relatively rich island-nation.
The sheep are always waiting for a shepherd to step forward.
I encourage everyone to join the open discussion in our newly-formed Facebook group called Our Mastermind Group-Japan. Let’s discuss and mastermind about the paradigm shift caused by the great Tohoku Quake. It is not at all crass to say that in this darkest moment, the light of hope can and will shine in. Become an active participant by going to
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