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April 19, 2006
You're... ummm... errr....
Interesting read from the Financial Times on the failure of media producers to bring the American Reality show "The Apprentice" to Japan.
FT.com: Show of raw capitalism fails to fire Japan’s bosses
Basically, they left deciding that the concept of the show was completely foreign to Japanese businesses. They couldn't find a host for the show since Japanese executives don't like to show off (display leadership), and they even worried that they wouldn't be able to find young entrepreneurs to risk it all.
The truth seems to to be that in the worlds second largest economy, the concept of capitalism is still very foriegn.
In Japan there is a broad reluctance to fire anyone. A job is supposed to be for life and low-performing employees are rarely summarily fired. Instead, they are politely sidelined, transferred to a rural branch office or given a window to gaze out of until retirement – all of which lack the necessary televisual punch.
In Japan, "You're fired!" isn't a business related decision. It's moslty just an empty threat used to bully and harass new employees.
Posted by Kakyou at April 19, 2006 08:22 PM
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Comments
Hello!
Nice to meet you!
I'm Japanese man studying English.
I browsed your blog.
You have original idea, I guess.
Althogh I am strange to write blog in English, I write blog in English and Japanese.
So native speakers who are visiting constantly point out the mistakes on my blog!
They flatters me!
I think I could learn from you.
Have a good day!
Japanglish Times from Tokyo Japan
Posted by: japanglishtimes at April 23, 2006 11:54 PM