This unit looks at the differences between Japanese and Western ways

of working and communicating.

Discuss these questions.

1 From your experience or knowledge, what are typical ways of working and communicating
in Japan or other Asian countries you have worked in?
2 How do Asian working styles contrast with Western ways of working?
3 How do you think decisions are taken in Japanese companies?

READING :..
El Understanding the main points
Read the article on the opposite page and answer these questions.

1 Which of these statements best summarises the key message of the article?
a) Japanese working and communication styles are not efficient for modern business.
b) Japanese companies are very slow to lake decisions.
c) Western managers in Japan want their Japanese staff to communicate in a more Western way.
2 What is the normal Japanese way of communicating ideas and information?
3 How are decisions usually taken in Japanese companies?

I] Understanding details
Read the article again and answer these questions.
1 Why is a whiteboard an unusual feature for the office of a Japanese bank's chief executive?
2 What are the five things Federico Sacasa is trying to get his Japanese emp loyees to do when
communicating with him and other Westerners?
3 Why are Japanese employees reluctant to discuss things openly with their bosses?
4 Why do Western managers believe that Japanese working practices lead to low productivity?
5 According to Federico Sacasa, what is the difference between consensus decision· making and
decision-making by unanimous consent? Which does he prefer and why?
6 What is the difference between the Japanese way of doin g things and how Mr Sacasa would like
things done?
7 How confident are Western managers that they will succeed in changing Japanese working practices?

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UNIT 3 ~~ WORKING STYLES IN JAPAN

VOCABULARY

El Understanding expressions
Choose the best explanation for each word or phrase from the article.
1 ' ... critical to the future of the bank.' (lines 9-10)
a) extremely important
b) negative
2 'Such dialogue is viral .. .' (line 33)
a) essential
b) life-giving
3 ' ... subordinates are often expected to be seen and not heard.' Oines 40-42)
a) junior managers
b) employees at a more junior level
4 ' ... Fumio Akikawa is coping with the same problem ... ' (lines 46-47)
a) experiencing
b) dealing with
5 ' ... the other side has to figure out ...' (lines 52- 53)
a) draw a diagram
b) try to understand
6 ' ... what they are getting at .. .' (lines 53- 54)
a) means
b) understands
7 ' ... the need for unanimous consent .. .' (lines 59-60)
a) which everyone agrees with
b) which everyone enjoys
8 ' ... meticulous planning .. .' (line 61)
a) very slow and relaxed
b) very detailed and correct
9 •... a chance to voice their views .. .' (lines 67-68)
a) to express
b) to explain
10 'Japanese respect [ ... 1for each person's role is commendable .. .' (lines 74- 76)
a) impressive
b) deserves praise
11 •... nobody is under ony illusions ...' (lines 82-83)
a) understands everything
b) believes something that is not true
12 •... the message will get through .. .' (lines 85-86)
a) be understood
b) succeed
13 •... change will take place eventually.' (lines 86-87)
a) possibly
b) in the end

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 UNIT 3 •• WORKING STYLES IN JAPAN

Il Word partn erships

Match the verbs (1-6) wi th the nouns (a- f).

1 to achieve a) issues
2 to express b) an explanation
3 to have c) a decision
4 to give d} views / ideas
5 to make/ support e) a conversation
6 to face f} change

B Word search
Complete the chart with as ma ny expressions as you ca n from the article which describe
either the Japanese or Western ways of working and communica ting.

Japanese styl e Western styl e

• ri9id)y hierarchical corporate · efl9age i,.. braifl5tormjfl9
cvltvre • 90al if to do it ri9htthe firrttime
• )otr of meeti"'9f before the mai,.. • employeer expected to expreH
meetifl9 to make fvre tj.,ere are 1'10 tj.,eir viewr
fvrprirer
• fvbordi,..ater expected to be fee,..}
,..ot heard

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIc·~'~"m·CiJI~!~.~IE·ZZI~j~iJi:,:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
1 Do you agree with the opinion expressed by the Western managers quoted in the article that their
Japanese colleagues should learn 10 communicate and make decisions in a more Western way?
Should the same approach be laken in other Asian countries, such as China and Korea? Would that
make Japanese or other Asian companies more modern, effi cient and competitive?
2 In spite of the suggestion in the art icle that the Japanese way of working is inefficient, Japanese
companies revolutionised the man ufacturing process in the 1970S and 1980s, inventing methods such
as kaizen (continuous improvement), quality circles and the Toyota Production System (which is now
known as lean manufacturing). What aspects of Japanese culture do you think led to the development
of these concepts?
3 How would you describe the typical communication style in your culture , especially between bosses
and subordinates? Some examples of communication styles are:
• direct / indirect
• explicit / implicit
• serious I humorous
• formal/ in formal
• serio us / friendly
4 Choose another culture you know well. How would you describe the communication style in that
culture? How does it differ from the communication style in your culture?
5 In general, do you think foreign managers should impose their own cultural style and way of working
on employees in a local subsidiary? Or should they adapt to the local style?

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