To describe how meaningful work culture is to every organization and business, the world’s leading management consulting expert, Peter Drucker, once said: “Culture eats Strategy for breakfast”. Indeed, the culture within a company or organization is the air you breathe. If the air is toxic, the organization will die.
It is hard to define and measure workplace culture in any tangible way. It is what it feels like to work rather than a set of written rules. Every organization has its own personality as well as atmosphere, and these elements are not easy to build.
In a multicultural working environment, having a clear understanding of work culture will help you easily integrate and develop better. The article below will provide readers with another perspective on how working cultures in Japan and the US differ.
#1 Japanese company workplaces are more formal
According to Noriyuki Matsuda, founder of consumer-oriented software publisher SOURCENEXT, previously told Business Insider that Americans are much more relaxed in the office than people in Japan.
He said that Japanese workers would be surprised by people calling each other by their first names at work. “This would be considered rude in Japan,” he said.
When I lived in Tokyo, I lived right near Kasai station in Edogawa, an area with a large professional population. I noticed that, as far as dress codes go, the idea of “business casual” does not seem to exist in Japan, and it is very rare to see commuters in brightly colored outfits.
Most businessmen, known as “salarymen” in Japan, wear gray, navy, or black suits and almost always wear ties, even in the summer.
Most businessmen, known as “salarymen” in Japan, wear gray, navy, or black suits and almost always wear ties, even in the summer.
I saw some working women wearing identical outfits: white button-down shirts with navy or black blazers and matching skirts, tights, and black high heels with their hair in ponytails.
#2 In Japanese companies, employees must get approval from superiors for any decisions
According to an article from Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan, many Japanese companies follow a mantra called ho-ren-so.
Ho-ren-so (1) is a mnemonic device combining the first syllables of three verbs: Houkoku (report), renraku (contact), soudan (consult).
This means an employee in Japan must always keep superiors informed of what they are doing.
Every decision, no matter how small, must go through the chain of command and receive the boss’s approval. Employees should immediately report any problems to their boss before attempting to solve anything on their own.
#3 American workplaces focus on the individual, Japanese workplaces focus on the team
In the book “When Cultures Collide” by British linguist Richard Lewis charted the differences in leadership styles across the world. He found that American workplaces generally follow a system of “structured individualism.”
He stated: “American managers are capable of teamwork and team spirit, but they value individual freedom and their primary concern is to advance their own careers.”
On the other hand, East Asian countries are more group-oriented. Lewis said: “They tend to have a Confucian hierarchy where the group is sacred and leaders are viewed as benevolent.”
#4 Japanese workers often party with colleagues after work
Whenever my friends and I went to karaoke or a nomikai (2) (a meetup party), we typically saw groups of salarymen drinking and socializing.
Japanese colleagues often hang out in groups after work even though gatherings are not strictly mandatory. However, it is a useful way to build strong relationships within Japanese work culture.
#5 In both countries, employees work long hours and take few breaks
Unlike the cultural differences, a major similarity is that both Japanese and American employees work long hours and do not take many vacations compared to other developed nations.
Japan is famous for its long working hours. There is even a phenomenon in this country where people die from overworking. The term for this is called karoshi, which literally translates to “death by overwork.”
However, according to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in 2016, American workers worked more average annual hours than Japanese workers.
Furthermore, an average American employee only uses about half of their allotted vacation time or paid time off, according to a 2017 report by Glassdoor. And over 60% of respondents reported working during their vacations.
Similarly, an Expedia survey showed that Japanese workers only take about half of their vacation days, and many workers stated they feel guilty every time they take leave.
This article is based on Business Insider sources, hopefully bringing readers another perspective on the work culture in the Land of the Rising Sun and the Land of the Eagle.
Notes
1/ “HoRenSo” is an acronym consisting of three words: Hokoku: Meaning to report; Renraku: To communicate and exchange; and Sodan: To consult and ask for opinions. At work, one must report periodically to superiors. Frequently discuss and consult with colleagues and subordinates. Finally, one must consult superiors before making any decisions. HoRenSo means being proactive at work. Any Japanese organization strictly adheres to the Horenso method. They point out that Horenso itself is the most systematic and effective risk prevention method.
2/ “Nomikai”: Japanese after-work drinking culture. Nomikai is a popular social activity in offices and daily life in Japan. The word “nomikai” is made up of two Japanese words: “nomi” (飲み) meaning “to drink” and “kai” (会) meaning “meeting, gathering”. Combined, “nomikai” means “drinking gathering”. It is a way for colleagues and friends to relax, socialize, and build better relationships with each other after work.
HUFLIT Career Hub Editorial Board
Reference source: Business Insider
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