Japan: Land of the Hostile Takeover?

This article examines the new M&A wave involving foreign investors in Japan. Makes some interesting predictions and offers some useful statistics and analysis. We’ll see how it unfolds going forward.

Asia-Net

Established in 1997, Asia-Net has been serving Asia/Pacific-Rim business communities by helping professionals locate job opportunities, while providing companies the premier on-line recruitment service.

The Asia-Net community comprises over 140,000 professionals with unique ties to Asia, i.c., Asian nationals, people of Asian heritage (including first, second, and third generation Asian Americans), and others with professional interests in Asia/Pacific-Rim.

From Convenience Store to Online Behemoth?

Article discusses Toshifumi Suzuki, CEO of Seven-Eleven Japan, and his plan to turn his ubiquitous stores into a center for all kinds of commerce. Also offers some interesting background info and statistics.

Bilingual-Jobs

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.

Unsung Hero

Fujio Masuoka says that Toshiba tried to demote him after he invented a $76 billion product. The loss was America’s gain. Will Japan make the same mistake with the next innovation?

O-Hayo Sensei

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.

The Keiretsu System: Cracking or Crumbling? (.pdf)

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.

FindaTeacher.Net

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 ]

The Panic Spreads

You can no longer safely shrug off Japan’s economic crisis. It just might drag the world into a depression.

Darkness Before The Dawn

Strategist Michael Porter tells why Japan’s economic sun has set, and how it can rise again.

The Art and Practice of Japanese Management

“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 ]

Process improvement by poka-yoke

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.

Mainichi Daily News

One of the four major daily newspapers in Japan.

Japan’s Lost Decade: Lessons for America

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.

Japan Information Network

A thorough set of links on all aspects of Japan. Featured resources include:
– NIPPONIA, a quarterly magazine introducing contemporary Japanese culture and society to people all over the world
– Trends in Japan, short, engaging dispatches on the latest trends in Japanese business and economy; science and education; society; sports; and fashion, arts, and entertainment.
– Japan Access, concise introductions of … [ Read more ]

The Japan Times

One of the four major daily newspapers in Japan, especially noteworthy for its English publication.

Center on Japanese Economy and Business

This research center based at Columbia Business School doesn’t offer a pretty site, but its publications are noteworthy.

Global Window: A Business Resource on Japan

A great general resource on Japan that includes useful topics such as Japan at a glance, conducting business, understanding your counterpart, tips for travel, economy, people & culture, legal considerations, etc.

Inside the Bank of Japan

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.

Jim Breen’s Japanese Page

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).