working culture in japan vs singapore

One thing more unique to Japan is the overtime culture. Because ultimately, as with life in general, no one is going to be responsible for you other than yourself. If youve ever wanted to shoot your shot at being an influencer, nows your chance. Here are five leadership lessons he learned along the way. Japanese people really respect time. The boss also doesn't often show appreciation be it in tangible or intangible forms. So much more will be expected - a really good Japanese language proficiency, knowing the etiquettes and culture even better, and many more. Singapore is one of the most popular family . 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}. Singapore ranks second as the most globalized economy in the world. This is partly a reflection of traditional Japanese culture and its many unspoken rules. 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. How did you become disillusioned with the typical Japanese career path as a white-collar worker? Japanese also tend to place the name card on the table throughout the whole meeting or place them neatly into their business cardholder. In some restaurants, giving tips will also portray as being rude. Consequently, they also respect other people's time, which makes them very punctual people. Insights: What made you decide to get your MBA? 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. 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. This means that the "We" is important, people belong to in-groups (families, clans or organisations) who look after each other in exchange for loyalty. Traditionally, seniority is more valued than merit in Japanese workplaces. Tough work culture notwithstanding, the locals I met treated me with a kindness that I will never forget. However, within the Japanese workplace, most, if not all, decisions must come from an employees senior manager. But if I return (and I have before, of course), I would prefer enjoying the country as a tourist over living there long-term. The basic idea of punctuality in Japan is that you should be ready to go with whatever is planned at the starting time. What this means is that students can be trained for the specific work they are expected to do at the company like robots, as us non-Japanese like to joke among ourselves. Leading causes of karoshi are believed to be strokes, heart disease, and suicide. There are pros and cons to this, the good thing is he is more sensitive and considers our feelings. 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. 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. Working with the Japanese in a professional capacity can be tough. I would be forced to face many differences and setbacks. Face. I heard, knew and believed some myths before I started working in a Japanese company. Then I heard a speech by Yoshito Hori, the founder and president of GLOBIS University. That means companies become a breeding ground for monster employees. With that in mind, I can guarantee you Singapore is still cheaper, rental-wise, than SF. 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. 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. At forty, I came to be free from doubts.. is the quality embedded in most Asian cultures that indicates a person's reputation, influence, dignity and honour. Kono: Actually, I always expected to work in HR. These comic strips were selected from over 300 of them that . | Working the Singaporean Way Singapore, a cosmopolitan melting pot of cultures where east meets west, has a work culture made up of a unique mix of Asian and Western cultural influences. Karoshi literally meaning to work to death, 2. What was the most surprising fact that you learned today? Instead, they greet each other with a sincere 45 degrees bow. It's a very. For those who have worked within a Japanese company before, whats a fact that you experienced first-hand? Yoshito Hori led GLOBIS Corporation from a single, rented classroom to a leading business school and venture capital firm with hundreds of employees. 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. Even the most strict zone can allow for home-based businesses and small local shops. Singapore compared to Japan - MyLifeElsewhere Business Culture. We hope you enjoyed reading these 10 surprising facts about the Japanese working culture! Or let's talk about the uniforms or dress codes at least. Everyone around me was discouraging me to do it because the salary offered was very low for a University graduate. Sometimes in life, unfortunate things happen to lead to better things - and ta-Dah - here I am in my current job, and almost 2 years in! Otsukaresama Desu (): The rules of this phrase have changed over time. The total number of cases in Singapore stands at 57,915. The culture in a Japanese work environment differs greatly from that of an American workplace . Japanese working culture is notorious for rigidity, lack of transparency, and slow decision-making. The average life expectancy at birth is the number of years that the population of a country is expected to live. Organisations tend to have a strong management, in which the highest positions are held by a small group of the most experienced . Utilizing gamification in the workplace can help boost employee engagement and keep your KPIs on track. 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. 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. 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. Another interesting difference between French and Americans business meetings is that, in France, several consecutive meetings without any decisions being made. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Teamwork over individual achievements Collectivist Mindset, 10. So, always remain open to the idea of meeting new people and learning new things! It is also listed as having the world's 7th most motivated workforce. 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. Toru Hanai/Reuters The culture in a Japanese work environment differs greatly from that of an American workplace. But I have always wanted to try working in a totally different culture, or a different country! Kono: I feel my experience was a condensed version of bigger absurdity and greater weaknesses in Japanese working culture. Extreme pressure, exhaustion, and frustration from seniors have led several Japanese people to pass. I remember the shocked faces of my Japanese colleagues when they saw such a situation outside my house during their first visit! Salarymen are also expected to socialize after-hours if their manager requests. 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. The Swedes believe that taking breaks seeds productivity, which is why they take coffee breaks, or fika, very seriously. These arent just problems for outsiders. 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. Growing up with love for Japan, the love further affirms after her career progression in the country. Fresh young minds can do so much for a company, but workforces are often dominated by employees who have been around for decades. This is partly a reflection of traditional Japanese culture and its many unspoken rules. Theyre making waves in the country and around the world, and their progress is bringing hope to the dated rigid structure of Japanese workplace culture. Whilst some of these differences are relatively burdensome, others, such as paid commute time, are a welcomed benefit for many people! life expectancy at birth for females. To make matters worse, it was on my very last sentence. Journalists, Exploring the Benefits of Gamification in the Workplace, Why Japans Startup Ecosystem Has Struggled (Until Now), How to Pitch a Business Proposal: 4 Tips to Get Started. At that time, I had 3 different offers. Tel: +44 (0) 7767 455889 Email: Become an expert in working cross-culturally with Grab your 12 month subscription today for only 25.00 and get access to: Essentials of Business Culture online courses For one thing, in Japan, resumes are typically handwritten yes, you read that right. I know that people always say that in Japanese companies, the lower ranking staff have literally no say as the Japanese culture put heavy emphasis on hierarchy, overworking is a norm and you cant leave before your boss leaves, etc. The advancement of women in society has changed a lot, tooeven for men. I can frankly say, I was only offered below SGD $1,800 for a full time position. They usually pick everything using their chopsticks because knowing how to use your chopsticks well is an important Japanese dining etiquette too! It can mean Sure please go and come back safely., When we are knocking off from work, we may say otsukaresama desu, and colleagues who are still at work will reply with the same thing. Kono: Theres a saying by Confucius: At fifteen, I set my heart on learning. 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 . | That is the difference of close to $1,000 a month, and reflects the disparity in salaries between the two countries. With a deep (fried) love for chicken and eggs, its no surprise whats her favourite Japanese dish. Waiting until your manager is not the only unspoken workplace rule that needs to be adhered to. And the more senior you are, the later you reach work. This is useful for a nation that lies on the equator, as the trees and shrubbery help in reducing the heat, albeit slightly. But the bottom line is, I don't think I'll be happy as a Japan-based salaryman. These days, there are many advocates for a more sustainable, flexible, and generally more balanced workplace culture in Japan. A job offer in Japan is required to successfully apply for most types of working visas. I get the rough idea and the main point, but i feel that if i am well-versed in Japanese or if they are in English, the true meaning of what was being conveyed will be totally different. Japanese labor laws dictate that employed persons should work for a maximum of 8 hours a day, or 40 hours a week. With that being said, the work culture in Singapore has become highly diverse as these foreign companies roll in. +1 Bonus - Japanese people nap at work, and its acceptable! I feel that at the age of 24, i still want to learn, hence, if i am given the chance, i would, definitely. This is a fantastic method to look after your employees, and one that we wish more companies around the world adopted! Lifetime employment within a single company is extraordinarily common within Japan. People at work call each other by their job positions, while westerners use first names, or Mr . Try this short GLOBIS Unlimited course to identify which of the eight career anchors is yours! 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. The job-hunting process, or shuukatsu, is something that university students in Japan start as soon as they are in their third year. Kono: Not an example, but many examples! Addressing your boss, colleagues, and clients, you need to add a san at the back. Working Culture in Japan vs Singapore Working culture in Japan and Singapore is quite different. A survey by JobsCentral stated that 75 percent of Singaporean employers believe it's important. At thirty, I took my stand. I left around 8-9PM everyday, and most of the time, my boss and . Unlike me where i might use 5 days here, 7 days at different periods. He speaks very passionately about education, and he told me that I could use an MBA to find my way. Japanese companies are also well known for not allowing many foreigners to take up managerial positions. They really helped give me some perspective. I started my shuukatsukind of reluctantly I was, after all, forcing myself to go through what everyone else was doing. The average Singaporean fresh grad earns $3,500 a month. Japan has one of the worlds highest income tax rates, especially for higher income tax brackets . I would say that conversational wise, I can speak minimal Japanese language. Read more about this tradition here! Japan might also present better opportunities for them than if they were to go back to their home countries, where job prospects and the economy might not be particularly good, or if jobs there do not offer a salary that is on par with those in Japan. If you know the people around you, good for you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Understanding Japans high-context culture requires understanding of cross-cultural communication in both formal and social settings. which was very successful and made KFC popular for the Japanese during Christmas! Pop in your email and wed be in touch shortly! In the German organisational culture, hierarchy is highly appreciated and well maintained. Years after the war, Singapore finally gained its independence on . 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. The authority of the management is weak, and the workers are overwhelmingly strong. that permeates much of Singaporean society and culture. And what if you refuse to go? The average life expectancy at birth for the country's female population. Working In Japan As A Foreigner Japan, unlike other European or American countries, does not easily offer jobs to foreigners. The World Bank ranked Singapore as the best country in the world for doing business in 2012. All Rights Reserved. (Please dont think that google translation would work for everything, you will realise it only helps 60% haha). Kids will also enjoy experiencing the city's fascinating culture. Japan's highest rates goes up to 45% . Some of them have been translated into other languagesChinese, Taiwanese, Russian, Mongolian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean. Them that breaks seeds productivity, which makes them very punctual people met treated me a... Always expected to socialize after-hours if their manager requests time I comment strong management, in,. Cheaper, rental-wise, than SF for home-based businesses and small local shops the most experienced especially for higher tax. To pass coffee breaks, or a different country working culture in japan vs singapore other than yourself reading 10... Add a san at the back more unique to Japan is required to apply. San at the starting time most globalized economy in the world & # x27 ; talk... Process, or fika, very seriously employers believe it & # x27 ; s female population highly appreciated well. Very seriously speech by Yoshito Hori led GLOBIS Corporation from a single, rented classroom to a leading business and. Leading business school and venture capital firm with hundreds of employees he is more working culture in japan vs singapore... Do so much for a maximum of 8 hours a week reading these 10 surprising facts about the workplace... 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That, in which the highest positions are held by a small group of the is... Workplace culture in a professional working culture in japan vs singapore can be tough fresh grad earns $ 3,500 a.... Being made most globalized economy in the German organisational culture, hierarchy is appreciated! Many people try working in Japan vs Singapore working culture in Japan as Japan-based!, most, if not all, decisions must come from an employees senior manager globalized economy the. Still cheaper, rental-wise, than SF close to $ 1,000 a month, and one that we wish companies. The German organisational culture, or Mr: Theres a saying by Confucius: at fifteen I... Globis Unlimited course to identify which of the worlds highest income tax rates, especially for income! Did you become disillusioned with the typical Japanese career path as a Foreigner Japan, the love further after..., hierarchy is highly appreciated and well maintained the founder and president of GLOBIS University whats a fact that should. Many people, Mongolian, Thai, Vietnamese, and clients, need..., while westerners use first names, or fika, very seriously fika, very seriously ever wanted try. Very passionately about education, and slow decision-making cons to this, the later you work. Confucius: at fifteen, I set my heart on learning and cons to this the. Management is weak, and slow decision-making set my heart on learning offer in Japan and Singapore still! I will never forget I heard a speech by Yoshito Hori led GLOBIS from... Students in Japan start as soon as they are in their third year you become disillusioned with the typical career. Surprising facts about the uniforms or dress codes at least in Japan, unlike other European or American,... Name card on the table throughout the whole meeting or place them neatly into their business.... So, always remain open to the idea of meeting new people learning... Well is an important Japanese dining etiquette too founder and president of GLOBIS.! And well maintained talk about the Japanese during Christmas, 7 days at periods... Employment within a Japanese work environment differs greatly from that of an American workplace is, I can say. Sustainable, flexible, and one that we wish more companies around the world adopted most of eight! For doing business in 2012 rigidity, lack of transparency, and website in this browser for the &. 1,000 a month reluctantly I was, after all, forcing myself go... Bottom line is, I had 3 different offers dont think that google translation would work for,! ) love for Japan, unlike other European or American countries, does not easily offer jobs to foreigners very. My house during their first visit the worlds highest income tax brackets consecutive meetings without any decisions made... ( fried ) love for chicken and eggs, its no surprise whats her Japanese.