I am a digital nomad and entrepreneur specializing in the curation of online information focused on the fields of business and travel. I run numerous websites, including MBA Depot, MBA Boost, Management Ideas, dado que and Lengthy Travel. I received my MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.
This excellent piece looks at Japan’s Keiretsu system – definitions, history, purposes, structure and future. If you don’t know much about the Keiretsu system, this is the article to read.
Source: Japan Economic Institute / Douglas Ostrom | Subject: Business / Economy
You can no longer safely shrug off Japan’s economic crisis. It just might drag the world into a depression.
Sources: Benjamin Fulford, Forbes Global | Subject: Business / Economy
Strategist Michael Porter tells why Japan’s economic sun has set, and how it can rise again.
Source: CFO.com / Edward Teach | Subject: Business / Economy
“Japan’s extraordinary postwar industrial success was defined by lean production, consensus and continuous improvement. But lately it has been the country’s perceived weak points, such as lifetime employment and over-regulation, that have come to the forefront of the debate on Japanese management. But new ideas are emerging with the younger, more flexible generation of Japanese managers, which means there will still be plenty for the … [ Read more ]
Source: strategy+business / John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge | Subject: Business / Economy
Shigeo Shingo is credited with creating the concept of zero defects and the techniques of poka-yoke (Japanese for mistake-proofing). The approach seeks to remove the causes of defects, or, where this is impossible, to inspect each item simply and inexpensively to determine that it passes the quality threshold – with no defects.
Source: ManagementFirst.com / Michael Fisher | Subject: Business / Economy
Very interesting article looks at the decade-long economic woes of Japan, how they might have been avoided or mitigated and lessons for the U.S.
Source: American Enterprise Institue / John H. Makin | Subject: Business / Economy
This research center based at Columbia Business School doesn’t offer a pretty site, but its publications are noteworthy.
Source: Center on Japanese Economy and Business | Subject: Business / Economy
Although focused on a time-sensitive issue, this article offers some insight into some serious and important issues regarding the role of a central bank in peculiar economic circumstances. Some of the proposed solutions are very thought-provoking. Also an interesting profile of Masaru Hayami, governor of the Bank of Japan and some of the history of the current troubles with Japan’s economy.
Source: BusinessWeek / Brian Bremner | Subject: Business / Economy
Article looks at how poor utilization of credit cards and the arcane infrastructure in place to support them are hurting online sales in Japan.
Source: BusinessWeek / Ken Belson | Subject: Business / Economy
Web entrepreneurs are out to win on a global scale–and bring profound change to Japan’s business culture.
Source: BusinessWeek / Irene M. Kunii | Subject: Business / Economy
Claims to be the premier diversity job destination for bilingual career professionals. From translation and localization engineers to technology and service staff, they claim to be the top choice of leading employers worldwide.
Source: Bilingual-Jobs | Subject: Employment / Career
A site for expats all over the world, including Japan. Find cost-of-living info, tips, etc.
Source: HR International | Subject: Expat Life
One of the four major daily newspapers in Japan.
Source: Mainichi Daily News | Subject: News / Magazine
One of the four major daily newspapers in Japan, especially noteworthy for its English publication.
Source: Mainichi Daily News | Subject: News / Magazine
The world’s largest (17k+ unique visitors/month to the website alone) and most comprehensive (100+ positions/issue) jobs-in-Japan magazine. Now in its eleventh year of twice-monthly publication, the free electronic newsletter O-Hayo Sensei reports the best currently available teaching (and other English language-related) positions at conversation schools, universities, jukus, colleges, public schools and companies all across Japan.
Source: O-Hayo Sensei | Subjects: Employment / Career, Teaching English
Unless you happen to live near a specialty bookstore, a good selection of Japan-related titles is hard to find. That’s why, in association with Amazon.com, O-Hayo Sensei has researched, collected and now offer 1800+ handpicked titles — we think it’s the best selection of the best books about Japan, anywhere.
Source: O-Hayo Sensei | Subject: Books
findateacher.Net helps foreign language teachers and students find each other directly anywhere in Japan without having to go to a language school. Teacher sign-up is free. findateacher.Net was made for teachers by teachers and is NOT a language school. Rather, it is a nationwide network of private teachers who run thier own classes or schools. Teachers are not obligated to make a contract with findateacher.Net … [ Read more ]
Source: FindaTeacher.Net | Subjects: Employment / Career, Teaching English
This is a site by the man behind the WWWJDIC, which you can read all about here. He also has good stuff about ukiyo-e and lots of interesting links (many duplicated on this site).
Source: Jim Breen | Subject: Comprehensive
This site is an absolute god-send for those studying Japanese! I live by it. Use it as a simple dictionary or use its much more advanced features which include:
– Translate (great for inputting an entire email sent to you in Japanese for example)
– Find Kanji (multiple methods)
– Handwritten Interface
– Mobile phone access
– Check out … [ Read more ]
Source: Jim Breen | Subject: Translate
Claims to be the prime resource for Kanji learners but mostly exalts the (admittedly quite good) Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary (KALD). I recommend you check out the Guide to the Japanese Writing System section.
Source: Kanji Dictionary Publishing Society (KDPS) | Subject: Kanji