JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- English Instructor (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
- Berlitz Japan, Inc. (ベルリッツ・ジャパン株式会社), Kansai
- Salary: ¥125,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month
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- ALT - Mie Prefecture - Yokkaichi City - June start
- NPO法人グローバル教育推進機構（GLAD), Mie
- Salary: ¥230,000 / Month For a full working month. Some months differ.
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- Business Teaching Positions - Part-time - Kanto Region
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥3,000 ~ ¥5,000 / Hour
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Mike Bird
Having 54 nuclear power stations in a highly earth quake prone region is frankly a ridiculous idea! Especially when it has access to so much potential geo-thermal energy it could make use of instead. The Japanese people are now so much safer!
Posted in: Japan to shut down last nuclear reactor
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Mike Bird
What I can't work out is why Geothermal energy only accounts for 0.1% on Japans energy production? There is a huge 'free' natural resource under peoples feet waiting to be used (just count the number of hot springs in the country!), yet successive Japanese governments have favoured expensive nuclear power stations as the future instead? Seems crazy! It's not just Electricity generation, for instance in Iceland a 87% of building are Geothermally heated.
Posted in: 80% in Japan support nuclear phase-out
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Mike Bird
Institutionalised corruption wins again.
Posted in: Woodford to sue Olympus, citing lack of investor support to get his job back
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Mike Bird
The rest of the world knows that Japanese whaling has nothing to do with scientific research, it's simply about making money in the Sushi industry. Whilst the Sea Shepherd might be infringing the law in it's efforts to stop whaling, the Japanese whalers (backed by a government) are simply bending international law to justify profit. Pity the Whales can't get sue!!!!
Posted in: Japan whaling authorities sue Sea Shepherd in U.S.
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Mike Bird
So someone's corrupt business interests come before the Japanese People????
Posted in: Japan using quake disaster budget for whaling aid
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Mike Bird
I have to say I got a lot of stick last week for my "Gaijuin' attitude towards the sacking of Mr Woodford and how he didn't understand Japanese management, when actually he just didn't understand why corruption should be part of good management!
Posted in: Olympus discloses $687 mil advisory fee amid row over CEO's ouster
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Mike Bird
Sorry but just by using the word "gaijin" in this argument you are simply confirming the stereo type! The culture of us and them!
Posted in: Olympus ousts British CEO after 6 months due to conflicts
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Mike Bird
Having observed both sides of the story, I'd say most Anglo-Saxon Companies are a lot more accommodating and understanding of Japanese Culture, than a lot of Japanese Companies are of any other culture, not just Anglo-Saxon!
We are talking here about a Japanese company not being able to accept a European's approach to running a company.
On the other hand, if you take Japanese companies out of Japan itself, it's a different story - particularly here in the UK you will find a lot of Japanese Companies getting on very well - Honda, Nissan, Sony etc etc, the Factories work very well here and are some of the best in this country, mixing both English & Japanese management and work practices is a recipe for success - one learns from the other.
I'm not saying Japanese companies are wrong, I admire much of the Japanese approach to business, but the best approach is too accept that each culture does not have the only view on the world.
From the article above it looks as though the Japanese management of the company ultimately could not accept a non-Japanese approach to it's business. Interestingly in the article Mr Woodford's side of the story has not been quoted, only the Japanese management's view?
Posted in: Olympus ousts British CEO after 6 months due to conflicts
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Mike Bird
When are Japanese companies going to accept that their Japanese perspective is not the only view of the world?
Posted in: Olympus ousts British CEO after 6 months due to conflicts
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mikejb
It's not about 'Controlling' anything. It's about life! It's about dealing with an issue as we all have to do and moving on. This is about allowing people and their families, whatever there background or nationality, to deal with this particular issue, move on and leave it behind.
Whether you are English, American, Japanese or Chinese, it's about honoring War criminals at the shrine in the same breath as the innocent war dead which should be getting all the remembrance.
Posted in: What is the best way to settle the Yasukuni Shrine issue?
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mikejb
I had a relation who was forced to build the railway through South East Asia during WWII. The English people who survived and the families of the thousands who died in horrible brutal conditions have never received compensation or an apology. Whilst no one would ever want to stop anyone remembering their war dead, which ever side they were on, Japan needs to stand up and admit it's past and responsibilities, so the current generations can move on. Remembering war criminals in the same way as those innocents who fought and died doing their duty for their country of Japan, isn't moving on.
Posted in: What is the best way to settle the Yasukuni Shrine issue?
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mikejb
As a simple observation and as a 'reserved' Englishman, I find this a very 'Japanese' question. Yes, generally the Americans are very vocal in Celebrations, but nothing wrong with that (not that I would be so exuberant!). On the other hand it's sometimes very difficult as a Gaijin to judge any situation, as the Japanese are guarded in showing any emotion, let alone 'letting go' and celebrating victory after years of personal hardship and training to reach that one moment and win Gold.
Posted in: What do you think of American swimmer Michael Phelps' long victory yell after he wins a race?
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mikejb
I don't think Americans are as individuals selfish. Their problem is that over 90% don't own a passport and have no experience of the rest of the world and other cultures. They therefore think the rest of the world has the same attitudes as they do and are surprised when they don't. Bush hadn't really been outside the US before he became President! The Bush administration is run by big business - the largest percentage are on the boards of oil companies. Simply, the Kyoto agreement is not good for American Businesses and their Economy.
Posted in: America is the most selfish country.