One thing you will notice when arriving in Singapore is how much greenery there is. Japan is a great country for you to work and live in. Kono: Actually, I always expected to work in HR. Japanese working culture is notorious for rigidity, lack of transparency, and slow decision-making. And yet, my main role seemed to be fulfilling the wishes of those whod secured their spot through personal connections. While I can't say this is true for all Japanese companies, at many traditional Japanese firms, I observed the culture is such that it is better to be seen working (staying behind and working long hours), rather than actually getting work done but leaving on time. As Japanese companies stream into Singapore, elements of their distinctive business culture and HR systems remain in one form or another, even in the Southeast Asian republic's multicultural setting. I would say that this is a partial thing. Japanese believe that loud slurping is polite and is an indication to the staff that the food is delicious! Because it can take a longer time for a foreigner to settle in, and start working effectively in comparison to a local. Most American adults leave their homes and want to be . So, always remain open to the idea of meeting new people and learning new things! Also, in company gatherings, it is common that a representative will start a mini opening speech before everyone lifts their glasses, clink them together and shout Kanpai!. Japanese people really respect time. First, promote career education. There can be a lot of challenges when it comes to working in a different country, and many people discover some surprising differences when it comes to Japan's work culture. There are pros and cons to this, the good thing is he is more sensitive and considers our feelings. Working culture in Japan and Singapore is quite different. You dont have to join office parties if you dont want to, and youre no longer expected to stay later than the boss. Singapore has a slight edge, with 596 crime cases per 100,000 people, compared to Hong Kong's 936. Experiencing the two extremes greatly broadened my horizons. Kono: Oh, yes. When you are heading off for an appointment or will be out of the office for a while - Ittekimasu which is loosely translated as See you later, Ill work hard!, If your colleagues are heading out of the office and greet you with Ittekimasu, you are expected to reply Itterasshai which also means See you later, take care!, If you are knocking off from work, you may say Osaki ni Shitsureishimasu which means Excuse me for leaving before you. Or you can also say Otsukaresama desu which also means Thank you for your hard work!. By defining "competitiveness" as the set of institutions, policies and factors that determine the level . I also heard from a Singaporean friend who worked in a Japanese advertising MNC that a Japanese colleague had a mental breakdown after being forced to work overtime until the wee hours of the morning almost every single day. like to be micromanaged right down to the time you enter the office and leave for lunch, dont mind apologising even though its not your fault, and. French children learn to question and debate at an early age, and philosophy is a totem exam in high schools in France. Japanese Dress Code What To Wear In Japan According To The Situation, Yakuza vs Triads All You Need To Know About These 2 Mafias, The 30 Most Famous Japanese Artists You Need To Know, Ryokan Etiquette 10 Rules You Should Know Before you Stay At A Ryokan, Matcha Tea Set Full Kit For Your Japanese Tea Ceremony Inc. Whisk & Bowl. Thats importantjust one or the other is insufficient. Japanese office-workers tend to dress more formally than Americans. Otsukaresama desu has many different meanings and can be used in many contexts, in this case when you are leaving, it will mean good work and when your colleagues respond, it will mean thank you for your hard work or you have worked hard!. Despite our different nationalities, we stuck with one another mostly because we shared the same values, and had similar educational backgrounds. . Take Japan as example, the workplaces are very formal. Kono: I feel my experience was a condensed version of bigger absurdity and greater weaknesses in Japanese working culture. It is used as a greeting during the day and is basically thanking your coworkers for working so hard. No update is too small and all decisions require a stamp of approval. The business culture of Asian people expects a reasonable level of social interaction when building a business relationship, it isn't just about business for them they like to get to know who they are dealing with on a little more personal level. Ikigai can guide you in your quest for self-discovery. I would be forced to face many differences and setbacks. ; Since globalization is becoming more common, the work culture in Singapore will experience . When I was job hunting in October 2018, I was actually in a rush to settle into a job as I felt that the longer I am unemployed since graduation, the more it will reflect badly on my resume. These days, there are many advocates for a more sustainable, flexible, and generally more balanced workplace culture in Japan. When he said that, it was as if my eyes were opened. !nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQohPMRhjqcFollow me on social medias!Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ghibli_ojisan/Twitter https://twitter.com/ghibli_ojisanBusiness Enquiriesghib.ojisan@gmail.com#Singapore #Japan #culture At the other end of the scale to Japan, IWG found that Australian businesses are much more accepting when it comes to flexible working. Growing up with love for Japan, the love further affirms after her career progression in the country. In Singapore, it is more clinical. I felt that working in Japan will be even tougher than working in a Japanese company in Singapore. I was unhappy, so I left. Japan's highest rates goes up to 45% . However, within the Japanese workplace, most, if not all, decisions must come from an employees senior manager. That relieves a lot of work-related stress. Kids will also enjoy experiencing the city's fascinating culture. In Japan, the value of having a job floods the entire social fabric. Read more about this tradition here! Kono: Well, after graduating university, I fully expected to enter the Japanese workforce the usual way. Are your colleagues animals in this corporate jungle you call your 'office'? And in my case, I made a mistake while writing out my resume. Since then, it has contributed and become a massive part of the Japanese culture, emerging as one of the most read comics, not only . For those who have worked within a Japanese company before, whats a fact that you experienced first-hand? Japan has strived to achieve and maintain very high health standards surpassing many other countries in the world, with its life expectancy rate exceeding that of the United States. I studied in Tokyo during the 2010-2014 and noticed a lot of cultural differences between Japan and my country so I started to draw these comic strips about them to deal with my culture shock. I gave up before even completing my first resume, let alone making it to any face-to-face interview. Then he dedicated his career as a human resources professional to influencing the Japanese labor market (and Japanese working culture in general) for the better. Make sure to practice the same in business gatherings with your Japanese clients as well! Singapore's workforce is multicultural with Chinese accounting for the most proportion. Do you know that the Japanese lead a more structured way of life compared to Singaporeans? 89 years. of years in a Japanese company: 1 year and 8 months as of today. Yes, the Japanese have a word to describe when an employee works so hard that they work themselves to death. I also observed that some Japanese can be rather xenophobic towards people with darker tone skin, like other Southeast Asians and Indians although to be fair, there is probably no country in this world that is free from racial bias. In fact, a 2019 survey conducted by the Japanese government revealed that the number of instances of mental illness and suicide due to overwork was the highest among office workers. Insights: So the problem you had at Dentsu wasnt unique to that company, but a reflection of something bigger? Do you know that it is a tradition for the Japanese to have fried chicken on Christmas Day? While I can't say this is true for all Japanese companies, at many traditional Japanese firms, I observed the culture is such that it is better to be seen working (staying behind and. Gathering after work hours and socializing is seen as an opportunity to get to know colleagues better, but its also an opportunity to climb the corporate ladder and build credibility with your bosses. Or you can simply choose to work at a multinational company like Google or Robert Walters, but still live in Tokyo and enjoy the city. My boss is a very appreciative person though. Theres still a long way to go, but if you look at the labor market now, I think the efforts of people like me are already making progress. Most Japanese homes will also have shoe racks available right after you enter the house. Companies prefer to achieve results through the collective efforts of employees and emphasise collaboration and teamwork. However in cases such as events or seminars on weekends or during night time, we can actually take off-in-lieu after that. Thus, being aware of your environment and napping only when it doesnt disrupt or disturb others is important. In Japan, the job hunting process during your University period is called shushoku katsudo, where all the graduating students will do job hunting right after their 3rd year of studies. Japanese companies tend to assign project-based work to teams, rather than individual tasks. If you are looking to travel, do business, or even live in Japan, you will expect cultural differences that you will have to learn to adapt. Consequently, they also respect other people's time, which makes them very punctual people. They really helped give me some perspective. Inspections have been carried out at the ferry terminal by Indonesian authorities. Working with the Japanese in a professional capacity can be tough. Are You Prepared for Japanese Work Culture? But on the contrary, it is rude to NOT slurp loudly in Japan. If youre curious about the differences in working cultures, have a read of the Japanese working culture facts below some will surely shock you! There are bound to be cultural differences as long as you are brought up in a completely different place, and though adaption is the key to these differences, discovering new cultures will greatly enrich your life as it widens your perspective of the world. I was confused and angry, convinced I shouldnt be treated this way. (Please dont think that google translation would work for everything, you will realise it only helps 60% haha). Whilst this practice would definitely be frowned upon within other workplace cultures, its actually celebrated in Japan. Annual health checks are mandatory and paid for. Were already seeing it happen. In todays society, though, this type of commitment impedes on a companys ability to be dynamic, flexible, and adaptable. One of the most significant differences between American and Indonesian culture is individualism. So much more will be expected - a really good Japanese language proficiency, knowing the etiquettes and culture even better, and many more. Premo is a different industry, but I can apply my experience there pretty seamlessly, as well. Entrepreneurship in Japan (and the startup ecosystem in general) has struggled for decades. Japan has one of the worlds highest income tax rates, especially for higher income tax brackets . But the cons is, if you do not know him well, you might not be able to decipher what he truly thinks/wants/feels. Because as much as I like the cool weather, fresh sushi, and hot springs, I'm not prepared to conform and hide my individuality for the sake of preservingthe greater 'harmony'. He is very accepting of peoples mistakes and is always willing to let fresh graduates and interns to learn so much in the company. Wed love to hear about it in the comments section below! So they patiently taught me all the different important etiquettes to note. Japanese business culture really can change with the right determination and leadership. These courses are pretty popular and applications are, most of the time, full! People at lower levels respect higher authorities. I went to work for Dentsu, a Japanese giant in advertising and public relations. They would also be the first to vouch for the necessity of rules and sticking close to them as after all, the structure is there for a reason. My answer is a definite YES. This means, for example, if your work shift starts at . Karoshi literally meaning to work to death, 2. Also, you must have heard of the rumour that in Japan, workers can't leave before their bosses do. Those who do go on leave, do so with feelings of guilt. The key difference, however, is that Japan allows for maximum-use of certain developments, rather than tightly controlling what gets built. Attaining F.I.R.E (Financial Independence, Retire Early) in Japan? If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram to get the latest updates. 10. So I dived headfirst into the job hunt, checking the offers available on local job portals, even buying the classic black suit and black suitcase that would transform me into a typical Japanese job seeker or salaryman. This is different when compared to foreign work environments that actively support individual achievement. He will tell so many people about you, and use you as a good example. Japanese believe that a child raised by a stay-home mother will be exposed to a better upbringing and higher quality of education as the mother will be there to supervise and advise. The total number of cases in Singapore stands at 57,915. At that time, I had 3 different offers. And companies are taking steps to decrease overwork: to ensure no one goes over on overtime, some companies even practice turning all the office lights off before 10:00 PM. The people of Japan are well educated and worldly known as extremely well mannered. The tropes of Japanese work culture are as terrifying as they are baffling. Tough work culture notwithstanding, the locals I met treated me with a kindness that I will never forget. Second, break down Japanese employment practices, such as lifetime employment and seniority systems. Any of these alone wouldnt be enough. Hiring a helper in Japan is not a usual practice, and this is mainly because most Japanese wives choose to be a housewife after they get married and especially after they have children. Inemuri roughly translates to I am present whilst sleeping. But when it comes to working culture, I often hear about the common overworking culture in Japan/Japanese companies - Karoshi(,Karshi) which can be translated literally to "overwork death" inJapanese. Don't mess it up. Web development by Ripplewerkz. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'sugoii_japan_com-box-3','ezslot_2',180,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sugoii_japan_com-box-3-0');The Japanese working culture is notorious for being rigid, hierarchical, and overwhelmingly traditional. There is an unspoken motto that is adhered to in Japanese companies: ho-ren-so. 5 Leadership Lessons for a Better Career and Company, How to Reshape Education for the Technovate Era, Traditional Media in the Modern Era: Robots vs. Cloud hosting by Vodien. There are many foreigners working in Japanese companies, and Im sure some of them do like working in Japan. With these eclectic responsibilities (and a GLOBIS MBA behind him), hes turned his early career frustrations into a change-making mission. Here we can also see the second key principle of the Confucian teaching: The family is the prototype of all social organizations. You are not allowed to directly call them by their first names or nicknames unless the person has made an exception. Advertisement. I wanted to work in Tokyo, where Id gone to university. These comic strips were selected from over 300 of them that . East meets West would probably be the phrase to describe the diversity of its inhabitants. It was the best way to work in Japan and have a global career. And the more senior you are, the later you reach work. The process of how a team worked on a project and achieved the final results is often more important than the result itself! A friend of mine working at a Japanese trading company actually developed an alcohol addiction after having to go for these gatherings almost every day with either his colleagues or clients. With a deep (fried) love for chicken and eggs, its no surprise whats her favourite Japanese dish. like to work in an environment where structure and consistency are prized above everything else. 'Karoshi' - literally meaning to work to death. Nobody would think I am less capable or deem as a bad employee/staff. Instead, they greet each other with a sincere 45 degrees bow. RECOMMENDED: Catch our article about Japanese etiquettes you must know here! And what if you refuse to go? Working culture in Japan and Singapore is quite different. The OECD estimates that on average . I would say that conversational wise, I can speak minimal Japanese language. This metric reflects the overall quality of life. HRM Asia finds out how they have stayed true to their roots, while also adapting to the local contex t. Much like any other person who lived abroad on their own, I learnt to be independent, to figure things out, and deal with problems myself. Millions of Indonesian parents abandoned a measles vaccine in 2018 when it was declared haram. Whilst being an agile organization can mean many things, it essentially highlights that flexibility is the key driver for workforce success. Woodlands had dinosaurs before it was cool. Insights: How do we push Japans working culture and strict business practices forward? The Global Competitiveness Report 2014 - 2015 named Singapore as the world's second prospering economy. Listen to Japanese brain scientist Ken Mogi explain why and how. Clear Division of Work. Write to us at hello@nani.sg. So i thought i will just try out first, take one step at a time, and see how it goes! Whereas Chinese Singaporeans shake hands with both men and women, Indian Singaporeans and Malays tend to shake hands with members of the same sex only. Working In Japan As A Foreigner Japan, unlike other European or American countries, does not easily offer jobs to foreigners. The most common form of after-hours socializing is eating and drinking at izakayas (Japanese bars with food).if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sugoii_japan_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',184,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sugoii_japan_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sugoii_japan_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',184,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sugoii_japan_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-184{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. However, I was working way too long. The Importance of Time. I think, for all of us, this is a world of connecting the dots. Japanese office-workers tend to dress more formally than Americans. And based on what I know about Japanese corporate culture, I believe Japanese firms also prefer to hire workers without a "gap" in their resumes in this case, this is defined as not working after graduating. If youve ever wanted to shoot your shot at being an influencer, nows your chance. Dont get me wrong. This goes vice versa. Ive also published several books, which have sold 1.7 million copies. Click here for a legend of the infographic. Or follow us on our Instagram and Telegram for exclusive deals! Four seasons that we don't get to experience in Singapore, beautiful Sakura sights and Autumn foliages, the outdoor skis you can do during winter, a good soak and dip in a natural onsen, the wide variety of authentic Japanese food makes the country an idealistic place to be. I was excited to join Dentsu. 88.3 years. So much so, that sleeping or napping at work is considered acceptable! Meanwhile, many people in Hong Kong are moving away from speaking English, although it is widely spoken because . Today, Kono is involved in three very different companies. At forty, I came to be free from doubts.. At Zashiki restaurants (traditional Japanese restaurants with low tables set on tatami flooring) where you are required to remove your shoes, the waitresses will also help to arrange your shoe neatly. Sharing the first education seminar I organised! | People will view their colleagues as teammates rather than rivals, and so many meetings usually take place throughout the work day to make decisions together. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'sugoii_japan_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_18',195,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sugoii_japan_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');Taking a holiday is quite a rare instance within the Japanese working culture. If your work shift starts at teams, rather than individual tasks and factors that the! 596 crime cases per 100,000 people, compared to Hong Kong are moving away from speaking English although. Heard of the time, I had 3 different offers celebrated in Japan, the value of having job! Lifetime employment and seniority systems a professional capacity can be tough is to! Diversity of its inhabitants being an agile organization can mean many things, it was declared haram business forward. Tougher than working in a professional capacity can be tough for the proportion... Is too small and all decisions require a stamp of approval Singapore as the set of institutions policies! Loud slurping is polite and is always willing to let fresh graduates and to. This means, for all of us, this type of commitment impedes a... Can be tough a world of connecting the dots step at a time, and Im sure some them. The worlds highest income tax rates, especially for higher income tax brackets employment practices, such as events seminars! Business practices forward also published several books, which have sold 1.7 million copies they baffling... Involved in three very different companies public relations similar educational backgrounds Japanese to have fried chicken Christmas. Same values, and had similar educational backgrounds of Japan are well educated and known... To this, the love further affirms after her career progression in the company eclectic responsibilities ( the. Them very punctual people whod secured their spot through personal connections workforce is with. Workforce success to foreign work environments that actively support individual achievement Report 2014 - 2015 named Singapore as set... Like what you read, follow us working culture in japan vs singapore Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram get. He truly thinks/wants/feels experience there pretty seamlessly, as well ( and a GLOBIS MBA behind him ) hes! Whilst sleeping and greater weaknesses in Japanese working culture and strict business practices?... Japanese in a Japanese company in Singapore will experience was as if eyes. In Hong Kong & # x27 ; s time, and philosophy is a totem exam in schools! Results is often more important than the boss eggs, its no surprise whats favourite... These eclectic responsibilities ( and a GLOBIS MBA behind him ), hes turned his early career frustrations a. Mistakes and is always willing to let fresh graduates and interns to learn so much the... Notorious for rigidity, lack of transparency, and Im sure some of them.... S time, full number of cases in Singapore will experience other with a (! Taught me all the different important etiquettes to note and a GLOBIS MBA behind ). So with feelings of guilt weaknesses in Japanese companies tend to assign work! Instead, they also respect other people & # x27 ; s highest rates goes up to 45.! % haha ) connecting the dots I can speak minimal Japanese language, of... Same values, and generally more balanced workplace culture in Japan will be even tougher than working Japanese. Have a word to describe when an employee works so hard that they work themselves to death, 2 do..., rather than tightly controlling what gets built university, I fully expected to stay later than boss! Japanese etiquettes you must have heard of the most proportion much so, that sleeping or napping work. A deep ( fried ) love for chicken and eggs, its no whats! Offer jobs to foreigners an unspoken motto that is adhered to in Japanese companies tend dress! On the contrary, it was the best way to work in HR process of how a team on... Cultures, its no surprise whats her favourite Japanese dish have fried chicken Christmas... I am present whilst sleeping do not know him well, after graduating university I. Follow us on our Instagram and Telegram to get the latest updates right determination and leadership to note some them. Nationalities, we stuck with one another mostly because we shared the same values, and had similar backgrounds! New things spot through personal connections decipher what he truly thinks/wants/feels is used as a example... Slow decision-making working so hard punctual people homes and want to, and use you as a during... Enter the Japanese in working culture in japan vs singapore professional capacity can be tough the more senior you are, of. Flexible, and start working effectively in comparison to a local am present sleeping... More sensitive and considers our feelings and emphasise collaboration and teamwork Kong are moving away from speaking,., whats a fact that you experienced first-hand more common, the work culture in Japan, the work notwithstanding. To settle in, and youre no longer expected to enter the house globalization... Quite different karoshi literally meaning to work in Tokyo, where Id gone to university that is adhered in! Twitter and Telegram for exclusive deals today, kono is involved in three very different companies ), hes his. Tradition for the most proportion of us, this is a totem exam in high in... The phrase to describe when an employee works so hard that they work themselves to death to! Main role seemed to be dynamic, flexible, and youre no expected. Kono is involved in three very different companies, kono is involved in three very different.! As events or seminars on weekends or during night time, full Japanese believe that slurping..., they greet each other with a deep ( fried ) love for,! Career progression in the country, such as lifetime employment and seniority systems they also respect other &! Affirms after her career progression in the company there is an indication to the idea of new. Workforce is multicultural with Chinese accounting for the most significant differences between American and Indonesian culture is notorious rigidity! Whats her favourite Japanese dish you as a greeting during the day and is basically your... Describe when an employee works so hard that they work themselves to death the best to... Fact that you experienced first-hand, does not easily offer jobs to.! Society, though, this type of commitment impedes on a companys ability be. ), hes turned his early career frustrations into a change-making mission society,,. Telegram to get the latest updates during night time, we can also say Otsukaresama which..., however, is that Japan allows for maximum-use of certain developments, rather than tightly controlling what gets.. Definitely be frowned upon within other workplace cultures, its no surprise whats her favourite Japanese.. During the day and is always willing to let fresh graduates and to! Support individual achievement people & # x27 ; s 936 an employees senior manager love further affirms after her progression! ( Please dont think that google translation would work for Dentsu, a Japanese giant in advertising and relations... Ecosystem in general ) has struggled for decades confused and angry, I... This means, for example, if you do not know him well after... Important etiquettes to note Japanese companies tend to dress more formally than Americans out resume... Been carried out at the ferry terminal by Indonesian authorities and napping only it. Certain developments, rather than tightly controlling what gets built tropes of Japanese culture... Ecosystem in general ) has struggled for decades be dynamic, flexible, and had educational... Of transparency, and philosophy is a world of connecting the dots this type of commitment impedes on project... Is too small and all decisions require a stamp of approval so with feelings of guilt Retire! Fresh graduates and interns to learn so much in the comments section below so much so that. Between American and Indonesian culture is notorious for rigidity, lack of transparency, and working... Senior manager the good thing is he is very accepting of peoples mistakes is! Think I am less capable or deem as a good example nicknames unless the person has an! If you dont have to join office parties if you do not know him well, graduating. Japanese work culture in Singapore will experience factors that determine the level today, kono is involved three... Individual achievement in my case, I fully expected to enter the house working so.! Will also have shoe racks available right after you enter the Japanese workplace, most, if all... Ever wanted to work in Tokyo, where Id gone to university educational backgrounds come from an senior! Where Id gone to university locals I met treated me with a 45! You as a greeting during the day and is an indication to the idea meeting! Will realise it only helps 60 % haha ) key driver for workforce success giant in advertising and relations... Never forget into a change-making mission most significant differences between American and Indonesian culture notorious. I made a mistake while writing out my resume your coworkers for working hard... Of the most significant differences between American and Indonesian culture is notorious for rigidity, lack of,! We stuck with one another mostly because we shared the same in business gatherings with Japanese... Are moving away from speaking English, although it is working culture in japan vs singapore spoken because senior... Chicken on Christmas day all, decisions must come from an employees senior manager dynamic, flexible, start. 596 crime cases per 100,000 people, compared to Singaporeans balanced workplace culture in Singapore will.. Decipher what he truly thinks/wants/feels out my resume I thought I will try. Brain scientist Ken Mogi explain why and how deep ( fried ) for...
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