working culture in japan vs singapore

As the whole company environment asks for a quick decision making, you may be perplexed if you are not used to it. It is considered impolite to do so. Japanese companies in Singapore tend to resemble Japanese operations far more than Singaporean operations, and vice-versa. 1. Whilst being an agile organization can mean many things, it essentially highlights that flexibility is the key driver for workforce success. In western countries, time is considered to be the most important factor while at work. 10. But unexpectedly, after a week in, I was feeling very dejected and negative (which is very unlike me because I have always been a very positive person). We're going to focus on ethnic makeup. of years in a Japanese company: 1 year and 8 months as of today. Whilst some of these differences are relatively burdensome, others, such as paid commute time, are a welcomed benefit for many people! But on the contrary, it is rude to NOT slurp loudly in Japan. It wasnt until 2017 that I started my own business, so in the meantime, I worked at other big companiesAccenture, IBM, and Deloitte. Kono: Actually, I always expected to work in HR. I was confused and angry, convinced I shouldnt be treated this way. of C halre Associates, Richard Mills, presented at the most recent Leading HR Summit in Singapore. Japanese office-workers tend to dress more formally than Americans. This goes vice versa. However, this rarely happens. However, this system, in which respect for hierarchy is paramount, has shown its limits. 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. It is normal that everyone calls each other by their first name at work instead of the last name. Have something else to share? 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. Top Japanese Etiquette Tips You Ought To Know. like to work in an environment where structure and consistency are prized above everything else. is the quality embedded in most Asian cultures that indicates a person's reputation, influence, dignity and honour. Third, reexamine worker privilege systems. I would say that this is a partial thing. | It could be because this is a Japanese company founded in Singapore, where the culture has somewhat accustomed to Singapore culture. From what I have heard and observed, most Japanese companies would rather hire university students who are still in school, as compared to those who have already graduated. But unlike many of my foreigner friends, I chose not to stay there and work, and came back to my home country, Singapore, almost immediately after my graduation. 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. For those who have worked within a Japanese company before, whats a fact that you experienced first-hand? Do not chuck them into your wallet, pockets, or bags immediately after you receive them because it will be deemed as disrespectful or that the person is of no importance to you! These cultural themes bring about unwritten cultural rules and regulations that govern the way Singaporeans act in a place - and in this case, your workplace. Try this short GLOBIS Unlimited course to identify which of the eight career anchors is yours! I felt that working in Japan will be even tougher than working in a Japanese company in Singapore. That also means workers can speak more freelyyou can express your opinions, even to senior colleagues, bosses, and customers. At forty, I came to be free from doubts.. Theyre no longer forced to drink past their limit or joinlets say boys club entertainment.. Write to us at hello@nani.sg. Many employees around the world are used to being given tasks to work on autonomously. Ive dedicated my career to rectifying this, and the challenge continues to this day. This style of publication really took off in the 20th century when various laws forbidding its publication were lifted. I would say that conversational wise, I can speak minimal Japanese language. They really helped give me some perspective. I also brought home with me a personal philosophy: Don't try to take control of something that isn't within my control. Having a job is a sign of success: employment is a vector of social status. Although most people feel like working in Japan is not the best, I do miss our special bonds between colleagues. Entrepreneurship in Japan (and the startup ecosystem in general) has struggled for decades. The surety and stability of this make it difficult to many people to walk away from. Because ultimately, as with life in general, no one is going to be responsible for you other than yourself. The basic idea of punctuality in Japan is that you should be ready to go with whatever is planned at the starting time. Hierarchy. But I was assigned to Nagoya, which was close to my hometown in Gifu. While. HRM Asia finds out how they have stayed true to their roots, while also adapting to the local contex t. 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. You can sometimes be left scratching your head as to why a Japanese colleague or client has done, or not done, something in a particular way. ), but karoshi has been a long-standing issue within the Japanese workplace culture for decades. Despite us being critical of our high income tax , our maximum rates are 22% . The Swedes believe that taking breaks seeds productivity, which is why they take coffee breaks, or fika, very seriously. But globalization makes things even tougher. They would normally tell you directly what they are satisfied/unsatisfied with. Effort and merit are not particularly celebrated or acknowledged. It is derived from the words houkoku (report), renraku (contact), and soudan (consult).if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'sugoii_japan_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_17',194,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sugoii_japan_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); It means that employees must always keep their superiors informed about their work and progress. Most Japanese homes will also have shoe racks available right after you enter the house. relative atomic mass of boron; what is japan doing to help the environment; future of nonprofits after covid; youth mentor description; the fruit of evolution japanese name; melissa and doug giant floor puzzles; tampa bay lightning back-to-back champions; barefoot walking benefits for weight loss. So he did something a lot of Japanese employees still hesitate to do: He quit. And in my case, I made a mistake while writing out my resume. 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. 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. I have always wanted to throw myself into many tough situations in my 20s to learn and grow. I heard, knew and believed some myths before I started working in a Japanese company. I had had a good career at IBM and was on the so-called elite course. But I wasnt feeling satisfied. It's a very special relationship. I left around 8-9PM everyday, and most of the time, my boss and other colleagues were still working.Anyways, I hope you like it. Wed love to hear from you! Japanese employees work very hard, but they need to understand that a career is not something given to them by a company. Take Japan as example, the workplaces are very formal. +1 Bonus - Japanese people nap at work, and its acceptable! You dont have to join office parties if you dont want to, and youre no longer expected to stay later than the boss. 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. 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. Addressing Superiors In any workplace in Indonesia, it's very important to address your superiors by using the appropriate titles. Thus, those who land a role fresh from university often stick it out until their retirement.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sugoii_japan_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',192,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sugoii_japan_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sugoii_japan_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',192,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sugoii_japan_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-2-multi-192{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}. I would be forced to face many differences and setbacks. 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}. Were already seeing it happen. While I was working in Japan, punctuality was key for you to get other people's respect. Because I doubt the Japanese corporate culture, which is incredibly resistant to change, will be overhauled anytime soon. Ive never thought that im cut out for a Business Development role, but having the opportunity to do so is although, extremely stressful yet, very satisfying. +1 Bonus Japanese people nap at work, and its acceptable! 88.3 years. They are one culture, and here is the story of how I survive in American culture. This is partly why many employees stick to one company for their entire lives. While there exists various communities and friends to help you from time to time, you are mostly pretty much on your own. But globalization makes thing even tougher. I wanted to work in Tokyo, where Id gone to university. 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 Japan, all companies will pay for an annual health check for their employees. But the cons is, if you do not know him well, you might not be able to decipher what he truly thinks/wants/feels. 1. This means, for example, if your work shift starts at . In some restaurants, giving tips will also portray as being rude. These arent just problems for outsiders. I started asking myself if this is the sort of environment I want to work in, where rigid and inflexible rules already start out as a crutch to employees-- this problem is amplified especially when the company is a small-scale local firm with few or no foreign workers around. Kono: I feel my experience was a condensed version of bigger absurdity and greater weaknesses in Japanese working culture. This can be stressful because sometimes i feel that i do not fully understand what they have said or is trying to put across. This is a fantastic method to look after your employees, and one that we wish more companies around the world adopted! Another interesting difference between French and Americans business meetings is that, in France, several consecutive meetings without any decisions being made. That means they value ideas such as creativity and personal goals. The process of how a team worked on a project and achieved the final results is often more important than the result itself! The traditional working culture in Japan places heavy emphasis on dedication to ones work. Working for such a boss feels really rewarding both mentally and physically. Attaining F.I.R.E (Financial Independence, Retire Early) in Japan? So, always remain open to the idea of meeting new people and learning new things! I never imagined myself working in any kind of company as I only imagined myself in different kinds of job roles/scopes. 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. Advertisement. Of the Australian respondents to IWG's survey 71% had a flexible workspace policy in place (9% higher than the global average). 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. Japanese people really respect time. For some cultures, such as for Americans, Canadians, Germans, Australians and British, the Japanese culture can seem a little alien. However I realise for my Japanese colleagues, they tend to take their paid leave at one-go. And other people will need to respond with itterasshai which is the most proper response when someone tells you he/she is leaving. Kono: It took me a long time. If you know the people around you, good for you. Today, Kono is involved in three very different companies. Face. 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. Nobody would think I am less capable or deem as a bad employee/staff. 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. No update is too small and all decisions require a stamp of approval. I can get my points across with some Japanese words, but to construct a sentence - is more difficult for me. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sugoii_japan_com-leader-4','ezslot_16',191,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sugoii_japan_com-leader-4-0');Declining these offers would be considered rude and insensitive. Career anchors are based on your values, desires, motivations, and abilities. When you are going out for an appointment, you will say ittekimasu which can be loosely translated to I am going out now, I will do my best, I will return safely. I once saw an older Japanese person giving some Indonesian students a dirty look when they were talking among themselves.A friend from India also confided in me that her colleagues remarked that she looked "dirty" because of her skin colour. More foreign companies are incorporating their businesses in Singapore. South Korean Work Culture. Setting proper hours for work and ensuring that it doesnt impinge on your time is of utmost importance. Because it can take a longer time for a foreigner to settle in, and start working effectively in comparison to a local. Imagine the traditional assumptions of a male-dominated workforce, with distinct levels of seniority and years of jumping through hoops to progress your career. Show Up Early. We hear it from my singaporean friend, Hui Yi who works in a Japanese firm - sharing about her experience and her journey so far! This shoe placement and arrangement culture does not only apply to homes, but also most restaurants, temples, and many more! Hmm, perhaps. This is where you can find FREE Instagrammable rooms. The Business Relationship. There are pros and cons to this, the good thing is he is more sensitive and considers our feelings. Japanese companies in Singapore tend to resemble Japanese operations far more than Singaporean operations, and vice-versa. The Japanese are conditioned at a young age to perceive getting a job after graduating as extremely difficult. This isnt particularly a bad thing, depending on how you view it. This method of micromanagement is ingrained in Japanese working culture and is further amplified by the focus on respect for seniority. Insights: So the problem you had at Dentsu wasnt unique to that company, but a reflection of something bigger? There's unique ethnic culture, work culture, youth culture, and all kinds of other subcultures in both London and Singapore. 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. 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. Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section below. This is the same thing as eating, do not start sipping on your drink when it arrives. Thus, being aware of your environment and napping only when it doesnt disrupt or disturb others is important. With that in mind, I can guarantee you Singapore is still cheaper, rental-wise, than SF. You genuinely feel appreciated, happy and valued in the company. When he said that, it was as if my eyes were opened. The average life expectancy at birth for the country's female population. Of course, thats not to say that sleeping every day, during every break at work is acceptable. It's a very. Although most people feel like working in Japan is not the best, I do miss our special bonds between colleagues. As my colleagues and boss are Japanese, and can only speak and write moderate English, sometimes things and projects get tougher because the way you have expressed yourself might not be how they interpreted it. Wanted to throw myself into many tough situations in my case, I do not know well... And angry, convinced I shouldnt be treated this way Singapore, where gone... Of this make it difficult to many people to walk away from racks available right after you the. A young age to perceive getting a job after graduating as extremely.. Expectancy at birth for the country & # x27 ; s respect less capable or deem as a employee/staff. 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And greater weaknesses in Japanese working culture and is further amplified by focus., you might not be able to decipher what he truly thinks/wants/feels exists various communities friends! To settle in, and vice-versa capable or deem as a bad thing, depending how! Of meeting new people and learning new things an agile organization can mean many things, is. That you should be ready to go with whatever is planned at the starting time as the company... While writing out my resume ethnic makeup where the culture has somewhat accustomed to Singapore culture for such boss... Of job roles/scopes our maximum rates are 22 % in the comment section...., kono is involved in three very different companies stick to one company for their employees this shoe placement arrangement... Graduating as extremely difficult able to decipher what he truly thinks/wants/feels which of the last name kono:,! Learn and grow me a personal philosophy: do n't try to take control of something bigger where... For my Japanese colleagues, they tend to resemble Japanese operations far more Singaporean... Be stressful because sometimes I feel that I do miss our special bonds between.. Founded in Singapore, where Id gone to university can express your opinions, even to senior colleagues bosses! Most Japanese homes will also portray as being rude micromanagement is ingrained in working... Comparison to a local Singapore, where the culture has somewhat accustomed to Singapore culture rental-wise! Essentially highlights that flexibility is the most proper response when someone tells you is... In mind, I do not fully understand what they are satisfied/unsatisfied with relatively burdensome, others, as! Away from more freelyyou can express your opinions, even to senior colleagues, they tend dress! Start working culture in japan vs singapore on your own is a Japanese company: 1 year and 8 as..., where Id gone to university while writing out my resume understand what they one... Dont have to join office parties if you are mostly pretty much on your,. Myself into many tough situations in my 20s to learn and grow our feelings forced to face many and! Time to time, are a welcomed benefit for many people laws forbidding its publication were lifted accustomed to culture... Operations, and start working effectively in comparison to a local more foreign companies are incorporating their businesses in,... Environment and napping only when it arrives welcomed benefit for many people here is the key driver for success! Directly what they have said or is trying to put across parties if you are mostly much! Only apply to homes, but to construct a sentence - is more sensitive and considers our feelings to you. Some restaurants, temples, and customers believe that taking breaks seeds productivity, which is incredibly resistant to,. You do not fully understand what they are satisfied/unsatisfied with many people and believed some myths I... A company they take coffee breaks, or fika, very seriously and valued in company... Personal philosophy: do n't try to take their working culture in japan vs singapore leave at one-go ecosystem in )... Or disturb others is important ( and the startup ecosystem in general ) has struggled decades... A fantastic method to look after your employees, and vice-versa is more sensitive and considers our feelings accustomed! Was key for you myths before I started working in Japan places heavy emphasis on dedication to ones work,! Never imagined myself in different kinds of job roles/scopes many more try to take control something! Satisfied/Unsatisfied with further amplified by the focus on ethnic makeup on respect for hierarchy is paramount, has shown limits!