Winning Together at Japanese Companies

To create a true global team

A comprehensive guidebook for foreigners
working with Japanese employees
in a Japanese company.

Available in JP/Thai and JP/Eng version.

Author: Kawatani Takashi
Editor: Morita Eiichi

Price: 2000yen(excluded tax)

"Why do they not see lateness as an issue!?"
"Why do they not understand the necessity of HouRenSou!?"
"If only they could take more initiative!"

There is a gap between the way the company functions and the way that foreign employees work.The Japanese business etiquette is a given for the Japanese.
However, foreign employees are not familiar in such norms and therein lies the problem that companies face when hiring foreign employees.

Various dilemmas such as differing work perspectives, manners and morals.
Have you thrown your hands up in surrender and resign to having such problems due to a difference in culture?

What might happen if this problem goes untreated?

"We should not have hired the foreigners in the first place!". A disorganized and directionless team.
The collapse of the company's structure and hirerachy.
These are but a few scenarios that may befall on a company that does not deal with the problem.

Likewise should there be an increasing number of unfamiliar work processes,
a negative image of Japanese companies may be embedded in the foreign employees.
This may lead to their resignation.

It is therefore essential for both Japanese and foreign employees to gain a mutual understanding of one another.
It is only when ideals are alinged, can the team work as one in the same direction. This will lead to a better future for everyone involved.

To aid in the facilitation of fostering a greater bond between the Japanese and foreign employees.
It is for this reason that this book Winning Together was created.

This book will help foreign employees foster a deeper understanding of the Japanese culture and people. This book will also help supervisors and colleagues of foreign employees,
by providing knowledge on how to engage in efficient communication and dialog with them.

With both English and Japanese version written side by side,
this book is the ultimate guide in helping achieving the various goals each individual.

With "Winning Together"
we can strife for a better and stronger global team starting tomorrow.

The 3 distinct features of the book

1：Covers examples of Japanese companies that have expanded overseas. The definitive edition!

The way one handles a phone call, exchange name cards and the expected work attitude in a Japanese company. These are all norms to a Japanese.

However, for a foreign employee who has zero prior experience in handling such issues. Going about it unaided by a guide will not be an easy task.

This book provides a guide on how to educate foreign employees of the proper manner and attitude that is required of them in a Japanese company. Illustrations are also included in this book.

This books also provides knowledge on potential stumbling blocks that foreign employees face when working in a Japanese company. Ensuring that one is equipped with sufficient knowing on how to create a smooth relationship with their foreign employees.

2： Written in both Japanese and English
User-friendly even
for foreign employees!

Written in both Japanese and English language, with illustrations abundantly available, this book has been devised to be easy to read for both foreign employees and Japanese workers.

For example the work process of Hou・Ren・Sou, which is familiar to the Japanese people, can be hard to explain in English.

The necessity and the know-hows of such work processes are described in detail in both Japanese and English in this book. Understanding these topics will aid in building a sense of mutual understanding in the workplace.

3：Confer a sense of unity
by promoting dialog!

This book is not about shoving the ways of the Japanese workplace down the employee's throats.

This book aims to ensure that every employee understand the unique traits of a Japanese company.

This then can help the company focus on its strengths and areas for improvement in the global market of today.

With an ever-shifting global market comes times when certain company culture may no longer be valid. Ability vs age, the individual vs the team, these are just but a few conflicting cooperate cultures.

This book includes a section where such values are discussed. Which can help identify and help create a culture that is unique to your company.

3：Confer a sense of unity
by promoting dialog!

This book is not about shoving the ways of the Japanese workplace down the employee's throats.

This book aims to ensure that every employee understand the unique traits of a Japanese company.

This then can help the company focus on its strengths and areas for improvement in the global market of today.

With an ever-shifting global market comes times when certain company culture may no longer be valid. Ability vs age, the individual vs the team, these are just but a few conflicting cooperate cultures.

This book includes a section where such values are discussed. Which can help identify and help create a culture that is unique to your company.

Content and specifications

Book Name: Winning Together at Japanese Companies
Specifications	Author: Takashi Kawitani Editor: Eiichi Morita Format: A5 Number of pages: 82 pages Publisher: beyond global Japan Co. Ltd. Price: 2000 yen (excluded tax) ※This is the price for a book in Japan. Please contact us if you wish to make a purchase overseas. ※※ An e-learning version is available for the education of the employees. 　Please click here for details about e-learning
Table of Contents Part 1 Let’s Get Connected! /さあ、つながろう。＜theme＞ Communication	Seasonal and Life Events Expatriates Miss　赴任者が恋しい日本の暮らしと年中行事 Topics for Daily Conversation with Japanese　日本人との日常会話のトピック Mingle Before Work　仕事の前にまじわろう Get to Know Your Colleagues as Individuals　相手を人として知る Show Empathy　共感を示す Show Interest　興味を示す Show Appreciation　感謝を伝える Express the Truth That Hurts　痛みを伴う真実を伝える Apologize　すみません Make Proactive Suggestions　積極提案をする Respond to Refusal　NO に対処する How to Speak English with Japanese　日本人との英語の話し方 How to Read the Japanese Face　日本人の表情の読み方
Part 2 The Heart of Japanese Business Protocols /日本のビジネスマナー: その心＜theme＞ Business Manners	Truth about The Japanese Way of Work　日本人の勤労観 Greeting: Japanese Ritual to Enter the Holy Labor　挨拶は聖なる労働への儀式なり Japanese Concept of Time: Slow but Steady Wins the Race　急がば回れ：日本人の時間感覚 Meetings as Platform To Get Your Voice Heard!　ミーティングを自分の声を届ける場に使おう！ The Art of Exchanging “Meishi” (Name Card)　名刺交換の妙 CC Mail is Information Snow-BallingＣＣ　メールは情報の雪だるま合戦だ Magic of Phone Calling to Stay Connected　人がつながる魔法の電話
Part 3 Navigate Your Way in Japanese Corporate /日本企業文化の海を渡る＜theme＞ Corporate Culture	DRIFT: Do It Right the First Time, Every Time 　初めから常にベストを出す 5S: Japan’s Recipe to Stay “Ready” 　5S：常に“レディ” の状態を保つ処方箋 PDCA: Spiral Up to Increase Quality 　PDCA : 仕事の質を高めるスパイラル HORENSO: The Japanese Recipe to Stay Aligned　ホウレンソウ：アライメントへの日本の処方箋 Work Attitudes Japanese Treasure and Frown Upon 日本人が大切にし、また眉をひそめる勤務態度 Features of Western & Japanese Companies 日本企業と欧米企業の特徴 Discuss Organizational Behaviors of Your Company あなたの職場の組織行動を語ろう
Part 4 Become a Winning Team /ウイニング・チームになる＜theme＞ Synergy	Pitfalls and Advice for Non-Japanese Employees　日本企業の外国人社員が陥る落とし穴とアドバイス Seven Influences to Get Yes from a Japanese Manager 　日本人上司のYes を勝ち得る7 つの影響力 Sixteen Principles of Success at Japanese Companies 　日本企業で成功する16 の原則
Epilogue	Our Actions for the Next 30 DAYS ／次の30日間の私たちのアクション Epilogue: Lift Off to Win Together ／共に成功するために発射台から飛び立つ

Reviews

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC ASIA PTE LTD Deputy General Manager

Mr. Nagayasu Daisuke

Winning Together has been very useful for both local employees and Japanese people. A Singaporean manager who worked in the same personnel department, commented that the background information of Japanese companies such as basic methodologies were very easy to comprehend and absorb.

Although our company is a Japanese-affiliated company, continual business execution in Singapore has resulted in work processes gradually being localized to adapt to the social context here.
The style of management requires the way of work to be that of what one will expect from a Japanese company, but many employees are working with their own mindset and culture.
Therefore it is essential that we have people that can act as bridges to mediate between these two corporate cultures. This will aid in building better synergies for the future
I believe that it is necessary to have knowledge in this matter to ensure that this bridging role is not misjudged as a narrowness of corporate culture.

For example, most employees know what the 5S are. However, not many can briefly explain why the 5S is necessary.
In order for managers to serve as bridges to move their subordinates and advance the 5S in the workplace, they must be able to explain the necessity of the 5S to their subordinates.
In this book, these necessities are explained in great detail.

In addition to the "5S", this book talks about the work perspective of Japanese companies and the way in which we can communicate effectively with our superiors. This makes the book very comprehensive and in this sense, I think it is unique.
For Japanese people, I think that this book will be useful in helping innovate, improve and organize the Japanese corporate culture.

I would think that the degree of localization would vary depending on the company, but I would like to encourage personnel officials to grab this book and have a read.

ALSOK (VIETNAM) CO., LTD. President and Representative Director

Mr. Adachi Mitsutaka

The topics discussed in Winning Together felt very practical and real, as the issue discussed were problems we faced in our company every day.
Moreover, the book was not written superficially, rather it is written with the Japanese mindset and thinking in mind. Thus, readers, can understand the culture of Japanese companies at a deeper level.

This is so when it comes to Vietnamese people, who are generally pro-Japanese. Working in a Japanese company is a form of status and the responses from the staff who have read this book were very positive.
Of course, for Japanese people customs that can be hard to explain are clearly stated. This in turn can help with the daily work process.

The book is organized in a systematic manner and is structured in an easy to read manner. As a manager, I am constantly worrying about the degree of Japanese customs and business manners we should bring to local subsidiaries. This book was very useful for systematically organizing my way of thinking during such times.

I feel that it is one book that can be recommended to not only the local staff, but Japanese representatives as well. Particularly that of executives.

ALSOK (VIETNAM) CO., LTD. President and Representative Director

Mr. Adachi Mitsutaka

The topics discussed in Winning Together felt very practical and real, as the issue discussed were problems we faced in our company every day.
Moreover, the book was not written superficially, rather it is written with the Japanese mindset and thinking in mind. Thus, readers, can understand the culture of Japanese companies at a deeper level.

This is so when it comes to Vietnamese people, who are generally pro-Japanese. Working in a Japanese company is a form of status and the responses from the staff who have read this book were very positive.
Of course, for Japanese people customs that can be hard to explain are clearly stated. This in turn can help with the daily work process.

The book is organized in a systematic manner and is structured in an easy to read manner. As a manager, I am constantly worrying about the degree of Japanese customs and business manners we should bring to local subsidiaries. This book was very useful for systematically organizing my way of thinking during such times.

I feel that it is one book that can be recommended to not only the local staff, but Japanese representatives as well. Particularly that of executives.