198 Posts Found

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

One of the four major daily newspapers in Japan.

Source: “Mainichi Daily News” | Subject: News / Magazine

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

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 ]

Source: “Japan Information Network” | Subject: Comprehensive

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

Source: “Mainichi Daily News” | Subject: News / Magazine

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

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.

Source: “The Anderson School at UCLA” | Subject: Comprehensive

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

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

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

Atlantic Monthly article argues that behind Japan’s economic woes is a worse social crisis; discusses the idea of ethno-economics.

Source: “The Atlantic Monthly” | 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

This essay talks about need for business model innovation to stay competitve, gives a few examples, sites some references of value and offers three broad ways to benchark your thinking to others who have innovated successfully

Editor’s Note: I include this article because it makes brief mention of the Japanese Hoshin system of focusing breakthroughs on two pieces of the business while incrementally improving all … [ Read more ]

Source: “EIA Trendscope” | Subject: Business / Economy

A site for expats all over the world, including Japan. Find cost-of-living info, tips, etc.

Source: “HR International” | Subject: Expat Life

JICS provides services to foreign-based companies entering and doing business in the Japanese market. This site also offers some useful information for free. Major site headings include: Market Research (info about the Japanese online market); Localization (multiple case studies focused on key issues regarding doing business and communicating with the Japanese); Advertising (offers overview of 7 different methods); Multimedia; and eBusiness (look for the downloadable … [ Read more ]

Source: “JICS” | Subject: Business / Economy

Hiroshi Mikitani’s Rakuten cybermall is growing at Net speed.

Source: “BusinessWeek / Irene M. Kunii” | Subject: Business / Economy

Japanese Jobs is an Internet based employment service that is dedicated to bringing a global community of bilingual professionals who speak Japanese and English together with hiring companies.

Source: “Japanese Jobs” | Subject: Employment / Career

The English version of the Asahi Shimbun, one of the primary national newspapers in Japan

Source: “Asahi Shimbun” | Subject: News / Magazine