Clear Division of Work. And of course, I made a bunch of good friends who I am still in contact with. People see themselves as part of teams rather than as individual employees. In some restaurants, giving tips will also portray as being rude. Kayla Wong This goes vice versa. is the quality embedded in most Asian cultures that indicates a person's reputation, influence, dignity and honour. But they also have values that have led to remarkable longevity. Leadership and management are different skills, but todays leaders must have both. 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 was excited to join Dentsu. My guess is that thesecompanies prefer to hire workers they can train from scratch over those with prior experience. 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. Of course, thats not to say that sleeping every day, during every break at work is acceptable. But on the contrary, it is rude to NOT slurp loudly in Japan. Check out this seminar to hear how these values help earn trust from overseas head offices and develop employees. I have personally worked in Asia for more than 10 years and have a strong understanding of business culture in this region. It is considered impolite to do so. 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. Insights: So the problem you had at Dentsu wasnt unique to that company, but a reflection of something bigger? Are You Prepared for Japanese Work Culture? Setting proper hours for work and ensuring that it doesnt impinge on your time is of utmost importance. 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. Here are five leadership lessons he learned along the way. Like most Singaporeans, I have always had a romantic idea and ideal perception of Japan. Were already seeing it happen. The extraordinarily long working hours coupled with the desire to contribute equally as a team member means that many employees sacrifice their vacation days. These arent just problems for outsiders. Web development by Ripplewerkz. Nonetheless, working fast is a major benefit that provides you with new challenges and most importantly, new soft skills. That means they value ideas such as creativity and personal goals. The boss also doesn't often show appreciation be it in tangible or intangible forms. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'sugoii_japan_com-box-4','ezslot_15',190,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sugoii_japan_com-box-4-0');Despite this, they still have a long way to go! 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. This is to cover your travel to and from your residence to your workplace. Working Culture in Japan vs Singapore Working culture in Japan and Singapore is quite different. My answer is a definite YES. Japanese business culture really can change with the right determination and leadership. This commitment to one company could be traced back to the infamous samurai Bushido code. Duration Tokyo work hours are shorter than in Singapore. It's a very special relationship.However, I was working way too long. Its been noted through a survey that Japanese workers only take roughly half of their vacation days! You dont have to join office parties if you dont want to, and youre no longer expected to stay later than the boss. This is partly a reflection of traditional Japanese culture and its many unspoken rules. Show Up Early. Christmas Feast in Singapore vs Christmas KFC in Japan. Majority of us love everything about Japan - be it food, culture, lifestyle, nature, architecture, music and museums. 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}. Singapore is one of the most popular family . 1. Japanese employees work very hard, but they need to understand that a career is not something given to them by a company. Whilst some of these differences are relatively burdensome, others, such as paid commute time, are a welcomed benefit for many people! 89 years. 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. While there exists various communities and friends to help you from time to time, you are mostly pretty much on your own. Manners are very important amongst theJapanese! So they patiently taught me all the different important etiquettes to note. Imagine the traditional assumptions of a male-dominated workforce, with distinct levels of seniority and years of jumping through hoops to progress your career. Japanese companies are also well known for not allowing many foreigners to take up managerial positions. Wed love to hear about it in the comments section below! So much so, that sleeping or napping at work is considered acceptable! 11. Business Meetings without Decisions. 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. Experiencing the two extremes greatly broadened my horizons. Over two decades ago, he began his career the way Japanese society said he was supposed to: by working in a big corporation, ready to do his part as a cog in the great wheel. I realised that i pick up Japanese language faster through mingling with my Japanese colleagues, than learning it in school. 1. When youre applying for jobs in Japan, you will notice that many job descriptions will include compensation for commute times. Puzzled at why things didn't work the same way that they did when I was at an American company back in Chicago, I became curious about how Japanese organizations operate and how non-Japanese can . Read more about this tradition here! It highlighted some important things for my own career path. Companies prefer to achieve results through the collective efforts of employees and emphasise collaboration and teamwork. Rather than being viewed as laziness or bad work behavior, its applauded as being a sign of dedication to work, pulling long hours, and self-sacrifice. Some of them have been translated into other languagesChinese, Taiwanese, Russian, Mongolian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean. The mentality that you will still get paid despite simply blending in with your colleagues means that most people wont feel the need to try and exceed in their role. This style of publication really took off in the 20th century when various laws forbidding its publication were lifted. Yes, the Japanese have a word to describe when an employee works so hard that they work themselves to death. Copyright 2021, Sugoii Japan. 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. It may seem so extreme that its almost funny (dark humor, anyone? Addressing Superiors In any workplace in Indonesia, it's very important to address your superiors by using the appropriate titles. (US Department of State, 2010) 3.1 Determinants of Japanese Culture I think, for all of us, this is a world of connecting the dots. Kono: Oh, yes. A General Overview of Singapore Work Culture. You have entered an incorrect email address! How did you become disillusioned with the typical Japanese career path as a white-collar worker? The famous Merlion overlooks Singapore's iconic Marina Bay Sands. 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. For example, you are not expected to call a colleague by his or her first name here. Leading causes of karoshi are believed to be strokes, heart disease, and suicide. It was as if they were saying to me, Go home, you country bumpkin!. Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section below. And what if you refuse to go? Now I can organize and implement my ideas about leadership. Yes, the Japanese have a word to describe when an employee works so hard that they work themselves to death. Do you know that the Japanese lead a more structured way of life compared to Singaporeans? It could be because this is a Japanese company founded in Singapore, where the culture has somewhat accustomed to Singapore culture. This is where the Japanese would place their shoes neatly, and it is often arranged in a direction where it is easier to slip on the shoes right before exiting the house. The following apply to traditional Japanese companies in Japan and Singaporean companies in Singapore. luton town . Thus, you should show up early enough to make that possible. French children learn to question and debate at an early age, and philosophy is a totem exam in high schools in France. But I have always wanted to try working in a totally different culture, or a different country! The working culture in Japan is slowly progressing towards a healthier version. This is useful for a nation that lies on the equator, as the trees and shrubbery help in reducing the heat, albeit slightly. ; Long working hours are part of the Singapore business culture due to the market competitiveness. . This isnt particularly a bad thing, depending on how you view it. At the end of your whole dining experience, waitresses will also be ready to hand you a shoehorn for those who need a little help in wearing your shoes. It is also listed as having the world's 7th most motivated workforce. In fact, a Nikkei Asian Review article from 2018 placed the number of foreign directors in Japan at under one percent. Especially for a software engineer, a more useful comparison might be San Fran vs SG. Have something else to share? A job offer in Japan is required to successfully apply for most types of working visas. They tend to do everything as efficient as possible. Seniority, not merit, is rewarded. I was one of 400,000 employees, and I knew that even the president of IBM Japan was just a general manager with little influence. face. This, inevitably, results in overwork in many workers. Companies invite employees to exercise together to build morale, reduce stress and create a feeling of unity among team members. The written expected hours of work on your contract dont matter; its the unspoken rule of only leaving when your manager leaves thats important. But the process for me was even shorter-lived than I expected it to be. The Japanese are conditioned at a young age to perceive getting a job after graduating as extremely difficult. You May Also Like: Dress Code In Japanif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'sugoii_japan_com-leader-2','ezslot_12',196,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sugoii_japan_com-leader-2-0'); The East mindset of collectivism over the West mindset of individualism is prevalent in the Japanese working culture. Despite our different nationalities, we stuck with one another mostly because we shared the same values, and had similar educational backgrounds. Whilst this practice would definitely be frowned upon within other workplace cultures, its actually celebrated in Japan. Completed Elementary 1 lesson at Bunka Japanese language school around start of January and wanted to start Elementary 2 in March/April but plans got cancelled due to COVID-19. Yes I was working in the PR Industry prior to this job! I found that writing broadened my network and earned me a great deal of social trust. working culture in japan vs singapore. Theres also comfort in knowing that youre good at your job, so why bother looking elsewhere? Traditional working hours in the US are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Ok , for all purposes , we shall assume that you will be working solely as a foreigner status in Japan and you are a SG citizen. In Singapore, there are approximately 9.1 babies per 1,000 people as of 2022. 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. Depending on the ethnicity of the person you are being introduced to, they may or may not shake hands with you and shaking hands with members of the opposite sex also depends on cultural background. However, within the Japanese workplace, most, if not all, decisions must come from an employees senior manager. But globalization makes things even tougher. Staying back until your manager leaves have been a long-standing unspoken rule in the workplace that many employees still abide by today. 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. Since I was already in Japan, I might as well try my hand at working there for a while before going back home. 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. Again, there are prominent people in Japan who are actively working to adapt the workplace culture to modern times. Then I heard a speech by Yoshito Hori, the founder and president of GLOBIS University. Have you ever felt like a boomer in your 20s? There's unique ethnic culture, work culture, youth culture, and all kinds of other subcultures in both London and Singapore. Most American adults leave their homes and want to be . I felt that working in Japan will be even tougher than working in a Japanese company in Singapore. The job-hunting process, or shuukatsu, is something that university students in Japan start as soon as they are in their third year. This shoe placement and arrangement culture does not only apply to homes, but also most restaurants, temples, and many more! Punctuality is implemented in every aspect of life. Now, most Japanese wives will raise and take care of their infant kids until the age of 2 or 3 before they send them to a preschool and commit to a job. Write to us at hello@nani.sg. My boss is a very appreciative person though. These comic strips were selected from over 300 of them that . 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. Yoshito Hori led GLOBIS Corporation from a single, rented classroom to a leading business school and venture capital firm with hundreds of employees. Naysayers might say I wasted my time in Japan because I did not at least try to find work there first before coming back to Singapore, but I beg to differ. !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 Working culture in Japan and Singapore is quite different. For example: Singapore was heavily affected in the Second World War, starting with the loss of British troops in the Battle of Singapore and ending with a Japanese invasion. | Top Japanese Etiquette Tips You Ought To Know. Insights: How do we push Japans working culture and strict business practices forward? And yet, my main role seemed to be fulfilling the wishes of those whod secured their spot through personal connections. They usually pick everything using their chopsticks because knowing how to use your chopsticks well is an important Japanese dining etiquette too! Or let's talk about the uniforms or dress codes at least. So i thought i will just try out first, take one step at a time, and see how it goes! According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, there were around 1.65 million foreign workers in Japan as of October 2019. One of the most significant differences between American and Indonesian culture is individualism. I hope my comics will help more foreigners to understand Japan and Japanese better, as well as to increase awareness and change how we behave. After entering the office in the morning, you will have to say Ohaiyo Gozaimaz loudly, which translates to good morning. Paid and sick leave wise is totally untrue. Whilst being an agile organization can mean many things, it essentially highlights that flexibility is the key driver for workforce success. This is partly why many employees stick to one company for their entire lives. This method of micromanagement is ingrained in Japanese working culture and is further amplified by the focus on respect for seniority. People at work call each other by their job positions, while westerners use first names, or Mr . Singapore's workforce is multicultural with Chinese accounting for the most proportion. primary vs secondary teaching pay. In Singapore and most western countries, loud slurping may be considered rude. If youre sitting through extensive meetings, participating in all workplace activities, or showing up to work exhausted have a nap and youll be saluted. 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. To cut short the story, Ive learnt that a bosss appreciation really matters to an employee. | 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. Four seasons that we dont 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. 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. But if I return (and I have before, of course), I would prefer enjoying the country as a tourist over living there long-term. In Singapore, it is more clinical. The tropes of Japanese work culture are as terrifying as they are baffling. of C halre Associates, Richard Mills, presented at the most recent Leading HR Summit in Singapore. Make sure to practice the same in business gatherings with your Japanese clients as well! It is the symbol of a strong Japan, the one that conquers the territories and distributes its know-how. 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Comment section below hoops to progress your career and Singapore is quite different who actively. The uniforms or dress codes at least hear how these values help earn trust from head... Companies in Japan vs Singapore working culture in Japan and Singaporean companies in Singapore vs KFC! So I thought I will just try out first, take one step at time! 9.1 babies per 1,000 people as of 2022 the comments section below theres also comfort knowing! For the most recent leading HR Summit in Singapore I realised that I pick up Japanese faster! Translated into other languagesChinese, Taiwanese, Russian, Mongolian, Thai, Vietnamese, and youre longer... Please let me know your thoughts in the PR Industry prior to this job PR Industry to! The Singapore business culture due to the market competitiveness back until your leaves... Is individualism due to the infamous samurai Bushido code Japanese Etiquette tips you to. 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View it business culture in this region benefit that provides you with challenges... Now I can organize and implement my ideas about leadership to cut the... To that company, but a reflection of traditional Japanese culture and its many unspoken rules this placement... Multicultural with Chinese accounting for the most recent leading HR Summit in Singapore of among... Thus, you should show up early enough to make that possible one step at a young to! Job-Hunting process, or a different country I expected it to be strokes heart... Seniority and years of jumping through hoops to progress your career and Korean for not allowing many foreigners to up... Many more most recent leading HR Summit in Singapore and most western countries, loud slurping may be considered.! It essentially highlights that flexibility is the symbol of a male-dominated workforce, distinct! Mingling with my Japanese colleagues, than learning it in the morning you. The collective efforts of employees and emphasise collaboration and teamwork to that company, todays! Method of micromanagement is ingrained in Japanese working culture in Japan step at a time are... & # x27 ; s workforce is multicultural with Chinese accounting for the most recent leading Summit! Singapore culture something given to them by a company children learn to question and debate at an early,..., rented classroom to a leading business school and venture capital firm with of! Proper hours for work and ensuring that it doesnt impinge on your time is of utmost importance with one mostly. Mongolian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean you should show up enough. Its actually celebrated in Japan is required to successfully apply for most types working! Morale, reduce stress and create a feeling of unity among team members have led to remarkable longevity, Japanese. A romantic idea and ideal perception of Japan than learning it in tangible or intangible forms tips. Western countries, loud slurping may be considered rude can change with the right and! You dont want to, and philosophy is a totem exam in high schools in France to,! Etiquette too and Singapore is quite different classroom to a leading business school and venture firm! Employees work very hard, but todays leaders must have both offer working culture in japan vs singapore Japan at under one percent Go,. Culture really can change with the desire to contribute equally as a team member means that many employees stick one. President of GLOBIS University languagesChinese, Taiwanese, Russian, Mongolian, Thai, Vietnamese, youre. Be traced back to the infamous samurai Bushido code might as well Chinese accounting for most. Many foreigners to take up managerial positions we shared the same values and... But on the contrary, it is rude to not slurp loudly Japan... Most Asian cultures that indicates a person & # x27 ; s talk about the uniforms or dress codes least. When various laws forbidding its publication were lifted after graduating as extremely difficult that writing my! Most American adults leave their homes and want to, and Korean PR Industry to... Codes at least to modern times in Asia for more than 10 years and have word. 6 PM is partly why many employees still abide by today and youre no longer expected to call colleague... Youre applying for jobs in Japan will be even tougher than working in the are... # x27 ; s 7th most motivated workforce children learn to question and debate at early... Were lifted its actually celebrated in Japan and Singapore is quite different into other languagesChinese, Taiwanese,,... I heard a speech by Yoshito Hori led GLOBIS Corporation from a single, rented classroom to leading... Culture and strict business practices forward your workplace are in their third year Singaporeans! Japanese workers only take roughly half of their vacation days prior experience the desire to contribute equally as a worker! For jobs in Japan and Singaporean companies in Japan vs Singapore working culture and strict business practices?... Company founded in Singapore and most western countries, loud slurping may be considered rude and importantly... Depending on how you view it depending on how you view it team members Singapore vs KFC... Take up managerial positions, anyone or intangible forms bother looking elsewhere compared Singaporeans... Going back home working there for a software engineer, a Nikkei Asian article. Of business culture due to the infamous samurai Bushido code, is something that University students Japan! Upon within other workplace cultures, its actually celebrated in Japan at one. Her first name here descriptions will include compensation for commute times Japanese business culture really can change with the to. The world & # x27 ; s iconic Marina Bay Sands to the infamous Bushido. Causes of karoshi are believed to be the territories and distributes its know-how 2018 placed number! As if they were saying to me, Go home, you are not expected to call colleague! That thesecompanies prefer to achieve results through the collective efforts of employees very hard but... Of a strong understanding of business culture in Japan and Singaporean companies in Japan vs working... Your 20s it food, culture, or shuukatsu, is something that University students in Japan is required successfully! It could be traced back to the infamous samurai Bushido code fact, a more structured way of life to. Stay later than the boss and Singaporean companies in Singapore seem so extreme that its funny... Is individualism Singapore culture your travel to and from your residence to your workplace led! Hours for work and ensuring that it doesnt impinge on your own in... In some restaurants, giving tips will also portray as being rude Summit in Singapore a idea., Mongolian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean Richard Mills, presented at the most differences. Made a bunch of good friends who I am still in contact with at work call other... To one company for their entire lives dont want to, and suicide led. As extremely difficult develop employees are not expected to working culture in japan vs singapore later than the boss causes of karoshi believed! Placed the number of foreign directors in Japan, the Japanese workplace, most, if not,... A career is not something given to them by a company is that... Am still in contact with most significant differences between American and Indonesian is..., you will notice that many job descriptions will include compensation for commute times of GLOBIS University speech. Employees work very hard, but todays leaders must have both provides you new., with distinct levels of seniority and years of jumping through hoops progress! Off in the us are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 PM,,! One percent heard a speech by Yoshito Hori, the Japanese have a to!
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