5 Most Annoying OUTDATED Business Rules in Japan

[@LetsaskShogo]

Do you want to work in Japan? Why and where would you like to work?☺️ ・ In this channel, you can take a closer look at Japanese traditional culture, tips upon traveling to Kyoto, and social problems in Japan. So learners and lovers of Japanese language and culture, be sure to subscribe to enjoy more content! Please check out the description box for more videos recommended for you! Thank you again very much for watching!

[@gracegarcia2067]

definitely NO 😂😂😂😂

[@iloveumorethananything]

kanagawa prefecture

[@AnuelleCheng]

No thanks, my plans were set on my homeland ever since I was a kid 😅

[@thejapanarchocommunist]

I work for an eikiwa company. It's hit and miss, but it pays the bills. Sorta.

[@explorer2494]

All my job suggestions were in hokkaido and i'm a trophical born what to do 😔?

[@priximus2254]

-young people are forced to work and basically live at their workplace - "WHY ARENT THE YOUNG HAVING CHILDREN!?"

[@marcusbrown188]

America works longer hours and have same inclining results

[@gregsochacki7290]

@@marcusbrown188 longer? no but still alot in some places

[@WaterKirby1994]

Working conditions are worse Stateside, my mom always worked 60 hours each week except the 8 weeks of vacation she had because it's a salary job & it's not like her salary is all that much. It's also a pension job so exactly what Japanese working life is without the respect. I worked in a minimum wage hell that was awful & tried to humiliate its employees 5 years ago before I made enough to finally quit.

[@LittleMissV]

@@marcusbrown188 not necessarily. It also depends on the type of job. None of the jobs I’ve had were more than 30-40 hours a week.

[@marcusbrown188]

@@LittleMissV don’t sass me

[@reveranttangent1771]

The scariest ghost story I've ever heard was of someone who died and continued to go to work for 50 years.

[@goodnightmyprince6734]

Thats legit scary

[@reveranttangent1771]

@@goodnightmyprince6734 yup

[@harleyja]

here in my country, dead people still vote in election

[@TakaD20]

Germany?

[@reveranttangent1771]

@@TakaD20 ignore cat, they are a maga troll

[@Suriel08]

"Are we ever going to be attacked by bandits during a business meeting?" Yes, quite often. But they are already inside the room.

[@happycook6737]

😂

[@terrapinalive6192]

Genial

[@katherinekelly5380]

Sadly, the first thing I thought of was workplace shootings where an armed employee goes on a rampage 🥺

[@pamperedpanda9913]

lololol

[@Yume03]

@@katherinekelly5380 that’s probably a concern in US 😅. In Europe or Japan that’ll be extremely unlikely

[@marcelsusanto6397]

I once worked as an engineer in Singapore. One of the older manager explained to me the difference between Germany and Japan regarding long working hours. He explained that Japanese boss would compliment his employee for every overtime. Only with overtime you can climb the corporate ladder in Japanese company. Contrary to Japan, German bosses think employees who do overtime are inefficient people who can't manage their time and resource. The funny thing was when I asked him "What about Singaporeans?" "Singaporeans are the worst. Singaporean boss will scold you whenever you don't do overtime. On the other hand, they never compliment you. Please forget about climbing the corporate ladder using overtime, it is just the minimum standard for them!"

[@ANTSEMUT1]

Private Malaysian companies are very similar to Singaporean ones, even if the reason you are working overtime is the boss's fault.

[@qwerty6789x]

As a foreign working in Singapore somewhat agree. They want you to go overtime but don't want to pay. The amount of people being hired that do not know what they are doing are Astounding also. peace out

[@lightchaser2k6]

Singaporean and Malaysian are the same; 99% of them are actually from Malaysia who grew rich or rooted a subsidiary company here, so to ensure continued prosperity for themselves based on the 3x currency rate difference. This is also why full fledged local born Singaporeans don't fancy such things being done.

[@errrzarrr]

Dominican Republic work culture is very similar too. Long unpaid work hours nor going up the corporate ladder.

[@cccexestarted]

Actually the situation about overtime is quite similar in Germany to Japan. But I agree, there are at least some people who think overtime is inefficient... But the thing is in many jobs you have so many tasks that you actually need the overtime to get your daily tasks done. Fortunately the laws restrictions towards overtime get stricter and it's checked if people obey the laws.

[@berendmuller1794]

i will honestly never forget my period of 5 years working in japan. about 30% of my time in the office was spent playing games or solving sudokus on my computer, since i'd be done with my actual assignments but the rest wasn't finished yet. you couldn't even assist colleagues in your department or team since they weren't 'your' assignments. some days i'd just be in the break room all day or chilling with the colleagues in the business archives just because i'd hit my weekly quota and be bored to death. it's honestly insane to me how a lot of japanese businesses claim to be team oriented by being completely non-team oriented at all.

[@ceresbane]

What would you say would be the consequences of taking the initiative and creating a localized work culture where all the people in your "group" (could be a whole department or just to your physically closest colleagues)? As you help each other finish your assignments and exchanged favours to each other so all of you had time to do other things?

[@bocahdongo7769]

@@ceresbane being a snob All "initiative" in Japanese culture counted as "snob". Everyone hold their back for someone to do it, and nobody to do it

[@nkyfong]

They really need to update their work culture. Less will get done if this persists.

[@icepicjoey]

This is why in anime the parents are never home.

[@unknownanimist2200]

Agreed

[@Guciom]

And high school is the predominant setting.

[@juanausensi499]

And why the protagonists are always teens. Adults do nothing but work.

[@xenxander]

only youth can goof off.

[@brightonic]

Sad but true, in a way.

[@dolphinboi-playmonsterranc9668]

Lack of sleep leads to incompetance. Incompetance means low productivity. Low productivity means no work done.

[@CUBETechie]

Less work time mean more break time= more focused work--> work get better quality

[@sunder739]

@@CUBETechie not necessarily less work time, but more on the workers' efficiency, depending on someone's skill on the work field and the conditions of the office itself.

[@Joe_334]

So, does no work done lead to procrastination? Lmao!

[@ariphrp1]

As a kenchikushi.. It works 😃

[@emanuelmaldoileacont8253]

@@CUBETechie this is so retarded

[@Firebreath56]

I really like how honest you are about all of these issues. It seems like a lot of people aren't willing to talk about them, but they're so important, so I respect you a lot for doing that!

[@matttube9369]

Same

[@robson2256]

Deny to talk about problems "that other japaneses would dislike to talk about" is a virtue too haha. That's why you should not take serious videos like that from Yuta inquiring ppl in the streets. Most are not being honest with themselves by replying.

[@aoikemono6414]

Considering the premise of a lot of isekai anime is the main protagonist literally dying of overwork and being reincarnated in a fantasy world to live a "slow life", this is hardly a secret.

[@dhemong]

i love the funny cartoon illustration, the old man riding the rickshaw and the young eating the grass is my favorite.

[@nikoniko-nicomuffler]

They are from Irasutoya. Their illustrations are the best

[@cloe412]

27:03 for anyone wondering

[@anwesh510]

Real life Senpai - Kouhai relationship in a nutshell.

[@britannia55]

I would be so lost with all this etiquette.....

[@jakobfredriksson2272]

This explains a lot why people felt unease while me and my friend were travelling around in Japan some years ago. We tried take a spot far from the entrance in elevators just because *we didn't want to be in the way* for hard working Japanese. All we tried to do was to *show them respect* but after watching this I finally understand why it backfired so hard =)

[@terrapinalive6192]

Jakob..I'm afraid European logic was wasted on those fellows

[@andreakoroknai1071]

well, that would clash with Hungarian etiquette, because here it's rude to 'be in the way'

[@OnLifeandLove]

I thought the position closest to the elevator doors were the best too because you get out easily

[@sylvia.s.s.]

Paper contracts... it is really ridiculous. When some contractors who didn't have an office came to work in my country and contracted me as a interpreter/secretary for the trips they would be making here, they came and gave me the printed contract thinking that I would sign without asking for any changes even when it was the first time I could read it, and I needed some changes to be made, of course, They were really upset that the paper contract was going back without my signature and that I told them that I would send them the pdf file when they made the corrections.

[@szentineltorony4745]

Some of these things are common in Hungary too, so if someone claims that "WE ARE A COMPANY WHICH PREFERS TRADITIONAL HUNGARIAN VALUES", than you need to do one thing: RUN!

[@katarinatibai8396]

Same in Switzerland - 🤪

[@shivamchandrol8641]

Lol thanks for insight. Guess that’s why people need Trade and Labor unions. In my country work hours generally constitute of 6-8 hours depending upon jobs . Generally overtime are paid I’m from India.😊

[@CUBETechie]

@@katarinatibai8396 what does it mean or what can I expect in this case? Greetings from a neighbor country 😁

[@skye387]

@@shivamchandrol8641 The only time I didn't ask for overtime pay is when I had days I'm late previously and only up to how long (per hour) I was late. This is not in the company or country's law, more personal. I'd take it if they still pay me but I wouldn't demand it otherwise.

[@OatmealTheCrazy]

@@shivamchandrol8641 India also has joke IT pay and internships you have to pay for

[@Nefferduat]

#5 is so frustratingly common here in canada too; the number of times i have complained "this could have been an email" after a meeting to coworkers is almost exactly the same number of times ive been dragged out of work for a meeting.

[@PequenaNoobAmaPudim]

I LOVE how Shogo's videos are so well structured!

[@Jafar_maher]

and his delicate way of speaking is amazing

[@Truelat]

Meeting face-to-face is also important in Mexico. When you meet a client and after some drinks the client says something like "ok you brainwashed me" it means you got the account.

[@Andreych95]

Aver como es eso?

[@Truelat]

@@Andreych95 En mi experiencia, usualmente cuando te reúnes en un restaurant para lograr un contrato/ venta ya hay una referencia que existe la posibilidad que se logre. La reunión en el restaurant es para establecer si ambas partes pueden trabajar en confianza. Si habrá “congenialidad.’ En el mundo clásico que existía en México era la oportunidad mostrar tu respeto a tu futuro cliente. Un ejemplo: trabajaba para un museo en California, venía a la CDMX para concretar apoyos para una exhibición. Mi contacto en México puso antecedente a una empresa muy importante que apoyaba la cultura. Cuando llegué a México con mi jefe recibimos una invitación para una función de gala en Bellas Artes. Mi jefe no quería ir a una “fiesta” lo obligué y en el intermedio nos presentaron al segundo del mero mero. Platicamos 20 minutos y al final brindamos con champagne. Llegando a California recibo una llamada de un representante de esa empresa. En el almuerzo el ofreció un apoyo de 50 mil dólares.

[@rudygb17]

Yeah bro as someone that used to work sales in Mexico I can confirm. I sometimes had to drive like 2 hours just to meet potential customers

[@Truelat]

@@rudygb17 It is what it is.

[@nerdgeekcosplay909]

@@Truelat I’m Hispanic and yes my parents ( especially my dad ) has raised me like this.

[@deewonda1952]

While I don’t and haven’t worked in Japan, your video got my attention. I am a “Boomer” (b. 1952) in the U.S., and I clearly understood your description of “our” point of view based on how things were in my generation’s corporate life. In 2018, after my retirement, I earned a Master degree in IT/Cybersecurity at age 66, but I didn’t feel I could fit in with the new, very different company dynamic today. I gave up job hunting because I feared I would not only be the OLDEST techie in the office, but also unable to adapt. Very eye opening! Thank you!

[@ludwigwittgenstein1280]

Younger people should be able to open their own business, with new “rules” that actually work

[@CUBETechie]

Don't work harder but smarter.

[@Remembertodrinkyourvegetables]

@@CUBETechie Precisely!

[@spugelo359]

Yes... should. But with what experience?

[@cyberneticbutterfly8506]

​@@spugelo359 Alot of people did great thing on no experience because they could *think* better than the people with experience. Alot of people with experience are stuck in their ways, rely on seniorty to power through bad ideas, have bad personalities and so on. Of course only people who are suitable for starting a business will succeed but experience is totally overrated in some ways.

[@spugelo359]

@@cyberneticbutterfly8506 Or rather, not appreciated enough. People just keep starting failing businesses that any experienced business owner could tell right away it's not going to work. Either you do something completely new or you do something that already exists better than others. More likely to go bankrupt before figuring out what you're supposed to do than figuring that out and becoming successful.

[@michelleg7]

It's basically slave labor, and extremely stressful. I can see why no person wants or even has time for kids! 😬

[@ladygrey4113]

Women are also basically told they’ll lose their job if they get pregnant (while also getting hassled on “when are you going to get pregnant?”) so I can see plenty of women not having kids for that reason.

[@Yayofangamer16]

@@ladygrey4113 Literal boomer culture

[@RodBeauvex]

It's really nice seeing someone actually talk about the work culture in Japan and actually discuss not only why it is so oppressive, but how it had gotten to that point. I had been wondering this for awhile.

[@jimhawkins6480]

So when the samurai attacked and the person nearest the door got taken out first. The person furthest away was trapped in the corner with the exit unreachable and still killed. Strategy at its finest.

[@hulCAWmanianUniverse]

i was thinking. shouldnt lord be near exit first because of natural disasters. first to escape?

[@ΝίκηΧανδρή]

Perhaps they jump out of the nearest window...

[@bryanmerel]

"Customs and Traditions are basically Peer Pressure from the Grave" I taught those words are rude, now i kinda agree..

[@aoikemono6414]

It's only half right. You don't reinvent the wheel. That's what tradition comes from. But you also learn to get out and push the dang car when it gets stuck in the mud.

[@rolandgdean]

As to seating. I never sit with my back to the door when I eat out in public...it makes me uneasy and vulnerable to do so.

[@carmelopappalardo8477]

In Italian culture seating is similar in a room.

[@2712animefreak]

That moment when you get all three "where to stand/sit" examples correct.

[@THATotherGUY415]

1st try 💪😤

[@unacceptablesisterpeter3431]

Me too. The awesomeness of my awesomeness is awesome.

[@AnuelleCheng]

Me too, seems I'm surprisingly traditional

[@BabyConan41]

I just got 2 out of 3. I should have realized the lowest person would be operating the elevator buttons lol

[@MiguelVargassagraVleugiM]

I calculated based on closeness and distance to said menial work. I got (1.5)/3 = EPIC FAIL! Attack at entrance got me laughing...reminded me of Malcolm X sitting at back of restaurants in order to watch out who came in and out...LOL!!!

[@rambling964]

Interesting about the higher/lower positions - I work in the UK, which has some of the most relaxed business cultures in the world (for example, everyone from CEO to janitor is referred to by first name), but those are _exactly_ the same positions I would have used if in a small place with one of my bosses. Here, though, being closest to the door isn't about being attacked. It's being the most convenient position to be sent to do errands.

[@yogipony9016]

These rules seem somewhat universal. I guessed them right without knowing much about Japanese culture

[@LTDLetsPlays]

i suppose the major difference is how much they take it seriously

[@michaelspitzer7767]

Of all these, I feel the one "sitting farthest from the door" is the most relatable to me as a European. After all, it's also the position from where you can observe every new person entering (bandit or not), and you don't have the door in your back, which means nobody will be staring over your shoulder. I even get why the positions where you do the menial tasks are not "boss" positions. But having to stand near the door AND exiting last from the elevator? That's just inconvenient.

[@stephenaitcheson6626]

Looks like its probably gonna be the Self-Employed/Freelance route for me. Regardless, this video was incredibly informative and insightful Shogo. Cheers

[@Terrakol]

If i were to make a bussiness branch at Japan, I need to remember to abolish some of the outdated & inefficient rules during the working hour.

[@edwinvalondo3745]

Thank you for explaining all these things to us foreigners. You speak slowly and clearly with an amazing emotional expression in what your discussing. Just amazing! I love what you do! Keep it up.

[@mickeysieveke321]

His bit about stamps and contracts gives me flashbacks of the three years I lived in Yokohama. I got a drivers license while there, which meant I had to get a Japanese ID and license through the city hall. Which meant, as a foreigner, I had to get a stamp, and have someone help walk me through this whole process. Same when I rented a house, set up utilities, got a phone and opened a bank account. Sometimes, I'd get a pass as a foreigner and was allowed to just sign my name. But I found that carrying around my stamp made things easier, and the other party less nervous.

[@Vizerantius]

The economic social situation mirrors perfectly the situation here in the states. Old money controlling the pathways to "success". Hail from Texas! Also love your video and subbed keep on going man!

[@vegpwrshlominator1873]

That does not mirror the United States but possibly certain fields, I worked in aerospace for 5 years and the company was similar as far as overtime and raises but other fields are quite flexible.

[@slocad11]

Shogo, I like your videos because I can share them with my English language students. I used to live in Japan, and we often compare our respective cultures (Belarusian, Russian, American) and Japanese culture. I love the way that you speak at a good pace for listening practice. It is all very clear and they are happy to listen and summarize and discuss afterward. Thank you!

[@wakotamura2197]

I feel No.4 is ridiculous. Signature is more practical, isn't it? Actually, my parents are strict about No.3, which is driving me crazy.

[@gabem.5242]

For the seating, the long hours and meeting in person you can change "Japan" with "Italy" and you'll have a good reason why working hours here tend to be a complete clusterfuck. And when I had to meet a certain technical director in a well-known Japanese electronics company (which incidentally has three red diamonds in its logo) I was scolded by both my boss and him because of me not going to Tokyo to do the meeting in person. 12 hours of flight from Rome to Tokyo and back just for 20-minute meeting. Madness.

[@Marco_Onyxheart]

I'm from the Netherlands, and I've found that tech companies can be very traditional when it comes to working hours here. They tend to assume 40 hour work weeks, and getting a different contract can be very difficult. 36 and 32 hour work weeks are becoming more acceptable, but I've found it very difficult to choose any other option, whether it's a number that's less than 30 or an odd number like 35. This is despite there being a massive worker shortage. Some companies would rather hire no one than hire two 30-hour professional engineers, even if they have multiple job opportunities open. You could almost call them choosing beggars. It depends on the company though. But have a lot of trouble with more than 30 hours, I don't have the energy, and that's definitely been part of my difficulty in finding a job. The nearby college has a very carefree attitude however, and I've been able to find employment as a researcher there. And there are definitely companies that are more flexible. But I've come across a lot that are extremely traditional in this matter.

[@dobbysock1]

Thanks Shogo! Very important to be aware of these customs, hopefully the crisis will push changes in the work environment.

[@YDV669]

Shogo: "Are we ever going to be attacked by bandits during a business meeting?" Me: "Challenge accepted."

[@meryemadam1860]

Year 2015 January 07...Paris...😪💔🥀.

[@KevinSmithGeo]

Obviously the bandits have simply given up because they were only able to slaughter the least senior office workers. Once they noticed any relaxation of proper seating, the bandit attacks would obviously resume.

[@galaktyczne_przygody]

Shogo can I ask you about that mendatory drinking after work and what happens if someone doesn't want to, doesn't drink at all or has no need wasting time when tired after work for socialising.

[@hulCAWmanianUniverse]

this! yes. as a half japanese, who may or may not work in a japanese company. i'm curious since i live a Straight Edge lifestyle of no alcohol.

[@OatmealTheCrazy]

@@hulCAWmanianUniverse they'll often keep trying to force you into it, similarly if you have any dietary needs/preferences

[@elizebeths.8880]

@@OatmealTheCrazy Seriously? I'm allergic to the yeast used in alcohol making and go into mild anaphylactic shock... They would try to force me?

[@kd_kane9845]

I could mute TV and still watch you all day. I love how animated you are with your hands and facial expressions.

[@bacintom]

Lifetime employment used to be standard everywhere, but it has become uncompetitive and unsustainable. There were good sides to it too.

[@charemchavrutah]

Your story about the old business partner who needlessly insisted on an in-person meeting during the winter is especially telling, considering what you've recently shared with us. I wonder if she even realized the literal, physical pain she was putting you through. I suppose, in a twisted way, it's a good thing she didn't expect you to stamp any papers right there.

[@andrewsock6203]

It doesn’t matter where in the world we are, to express freedom is frowned upon. It is the origin of domination.

[@paulhunter1525]

Upon that post in must agree. Even in American corporate culture there's a hierarchy of lower workers, middle managers and top executives. This has not changed since early days of 1900 Centuryn

[@ABar83376]

@@paulhunter1525 where there has been humans the desire for some to rule or have power over others has been a goal. There is a balance but humans can't find it.

[@hydroaegis6658]

This sounds like a literal boomer country. Oh wait-

[@ReigoVassal]

An aging country

[@Yayofangamer16]

Let them die of age.

[@yinji88]

i guess the boomer culture is not exclusive to the west :O

[@ph11p3540]

Indeed it is

[@tkadlegend]

HAHAHA BOOM BOOM

[@crazedfaeiry623]

I'm starting my own company this year, so your video today was very informative.

[@Justin-yt7pi]

Hire me bro

[@smaybius]

It reminded me of Aggretsuko, where these standards applied to at least the accounting department of Retsuko's company, the department she works in. The CEO was spineless and barely did anything to reprimand Ton (the accounting director) for his abuses.

[@tazzinnc]

Good pacing on the delivery. Good content. Well put together. thank you.

[@Hadinata-bl3nd]

I love the way that you explain the culture and everything! Sending Regards from Indonesia!

[@Trident023]

I very much enjoy your videos. You are offering a glimpse into so many different aspects of the Japanese culture. I have never been to Japan, and most likely I will never be sent there on the company’s dime. But the more I learn about it, the more I feel that I would very much like to visit your beautiful country some day.

[@thomasdahl2232]

A brilliant presentation as always!!! :)

[@user-zm9nv1td9i]

Thanks!

[@alicelooney7752]

Like your format; present and review!

[@jeromestith9630]

I like the fact things are done face to face. When I was leaving Japan, the land lord, and all utilities came out to my house on my last day. I thought that was so cool. Everything is taken care of... no waiting on the phone, no emloyee forgetting to close your account. The work seating arrangement is a thing in the US too.

[@blackopsseven]

I stumbled upon Shogo's videos and am thoroughly enjoying learning about Bushido, Work Culture, and Social Issues in Japan. I appreciate you Shogo for everything you do!

[@Moepowerplant]

That was some thirty-minute meeting. It was like, "Be respectful to me, but I'm not obliged to respect your time."

[@onlymorrow]

your videos are an absolute work of art.

[@SchmulKrieger]

The stamp culture sounds so cool. 😍

[@darkalman]

I'd like to see a part 2 with more examples of Japanese work culture. I noticed you didn't mention the need for punctuality and the after work drinking with the boss There's also the taboo against taking long vacations

[@sanchezgildardo1128]

What happens if you dont drink? Do they pressure you to do so now?

[@darkalman]

@@sanchezgildardo1128 I’d like to know as well cause I don’t drink either

[@jean-baptistelasselle4562]

I highly appreciate your channel, both extremely respectful to traditions, culture and values, and sharing thoughts about hem at the same time

[@playahsan]

Take all the time you need and make those videos as long as you want. I can listen to you all day. In fact, I kinda did, I'm at work right now and it's a sloooooow day (I work in retail, I'm not lazing around, there's just not much to do on Saturday).

[@Alex-lk7qy]

You can see the work and dedication to create your videos 👍

[@petergarcia8225]

Great coverage my friend. Thank you once again. Arigato...😄😄

[@helioscore100]

Explained very lucidly, sensibly and beautifully Shogo san. Really easy to understand. It’s nice to learn more of ground realities when it comes to Japanese culture. I like the way you specifically contextualize and explain events with historical significance or bearing and present it using animated character as you explain.

[@xMysticxbutterfly]

i appreciate how slowly and clearly you speak in your videos i cant tell you how relatable this video to me xD like im having flashbacks lol

[@zeff7472]

I suspect that this relates a lot to why Tokyo is massively overgrown. Having to do everything in person makes everybody living in the same metro a lot more essential. The idea of all meetings and interactions having to be in person would be kind of insane in a nation as physically large as the US.

[@keith6706]

Well, no. Tokyo is so large because it has a large harbour (see New York City as being so large for the same reason), and it's located on the Kantō Plain, the largest flat area in the country and thus the only place that has the room for massive expansion without climbing mountains, and farming. By 1720, one estimate is that Edo was the largest city on the planet.

[@py8554]

And NOT taking leave or personal holidays is also considered a virtue.

[@theveganflower5135]

I took 4 years of japanese and took the n1 exam and passed. I could pass maybe n3 now 😅. But in highschool we did learn "The seat placement based on different scenarios" and i was amazed i still remember them. We didnt just learn Japanese language skills but also alot about the culture. We had to learn tea ceramony etiquitte and attended one. We did the dining out as a class and go based on the japanese club hierarchy. We even learned to wear kimono and as a club we did a whole fair. I love being able to keep this knowledge by watching your videos. Thank you ❤

[@TimRHillard]

I like meeting in person. But I like working from the couch probably a little more😁😁👍👍

[@WhiteDragon689]

Its amazing that after all those inefficiencies Japan is still functional as a society.

[@syukurpambudimuhadi3315]

haha, I also recently needed to do a face-to-face meeting. Though, rather than a normal business meeting, it was more like a brainstorming session for three hours, which IMO wouldn't really work well with a virtual one.

[@barthezandersar7455]

Nice info shogo.... In malaysia, working environment is diferent.... Working hours in malaysia started from 8 to 5 for govt agency or 9 to 5 for the company.... Working long hours?.... In malaysia, we love to work following the time rules.... Thats why malaysia is more simple happy n relaxed working style environment n more publics holidays every years....

[@ANTSEMUT1]

Maybe in KL but other places like Kuching, they make you do overtime all the time.

[@KaaptnIglo]

I used to think the same regarding meeting in person. Now, after a few years of professional experience, I do see the point. Meeting physically does change for the better the dynamic of the relationship. Feels more real and humane afterwards, and not just a "mean to an end". I would not actively push for it, but should a convenient opportunity to meet in person rise, I would systematically seize it, even if the situation does not require it.

[@aoeu256]

What about meeting in VR CHAT or Discord?

[@yikes6969]

Man, I am generally a very mellow person but one thing that sets me off are arbitrary rules or being made to do something with the reasoning of "just because" or "that's just how its done". I'm just the type of person needs to know WHY something occurs or needs to be done

[@HughStew]

When living in Japan I went to open a bank account. I had to fill out a long form. The slightest mistake, no matter how small, meant starting over on a new form. I wasted five forms before I got one filled out with no errors.

[@ared4579]

17:18 yea true, that's why back then I stayed late in the office, not to continue with my work but to pretend im working harder than everyone else, and when everyone leaves I play game or read novel or watching a show using the office WiFi instead of working haha

[@enoseliezer3335]

This channel really give so many useful informations, keep it up!

[@ainzchan1292]

I quite enjoyed your video. Thank you for it👀👍

[@JoseSanchez-dx6pl]

Great video Shogo san, I enjoyed the contents with relevant info and with real points of view in what’s happening in your country … I’m an author - foreign been in Japan for three decades and always wanted to express issues like the ones you expressing but I thought I wasn’t the best qualified person to do it… that’s why I’m content to see your video… we should do a video together with a topic about sanitation cleanliness as everyone outside Japan admires this of your country but after been here for certain amount of time, I have different opinion :) cheers

[@jeffwhiting4237]

I wonder how much of these rules and procedures are designed with risk aversion in mind. That is, some of these situations in the US can cause a bit of confusion and minor embarrassment if left to chance. It's a common thing in the US, and it's generally no big deal when it does occur.

[@bondiibluu]

"It's also the fault of young people too because they've been raised to not question anything." Well, no. That's literally the fault of those teaching them lol

[@takanorebecca2065]

True. Children are raised to become a “puppet” or a “robot”😒 I’m a Filipina married to a Japanese, been here for 24 years. I always remind my 3 daughters to learn how and when to say “No” and not to be so much inclined to “adapt just to be accepted”. My eldest will start her teaching job in primary school next year. I told her to teach and let her students show their real selves and have the freedom to voice out their thoughts as long as they do not harm anybody.

[@CvnDqnrU]

New generations are the ones with the motivation and the duty to change the world for the better. Older people are too dependent on the system to change it, but they have the duty to share their wisdom with the youth so they don't change the world for the worse.

[@theflyingcatz]

@@CvnDqnrU I don't disagree, but I think every generation has said this.

[@bess4u2know32]

Watching and hearing every word you've shared I was relieved of all my worries, thank you. I learned a lot.

[@SilentScreamer413]

It is really nice to hear you saying all these things. I've been here for more than 16years and I had to learn that business card and other etiquette stuff. I don't mind so much the etiquette but regarding all these outdated habits, especially the paper contracts and ankou (inkan) stuff... It drives me crazy... the long hours, inefficiency, and overall system always disgusted me. I've resolved to open my own business as I could never work in a Japanese system. It's sad that so many managers still don't understand things have changed... Japan is definitely not that great place to be it used to be. I like my life here because I work for foreign companies and have my own business but the magic of Japan has totally disappeared from my heart...

[@maximillianafrancine1451]

It sounds like some things are meant to just create employment. Like the paper contract thing. Where I live and hsve worked in both Europe and Africa, it is also more polite for the boss to say something like 'okay, I'll wrap this up'. If the staff are close, they will politely ask if they can leave. But just upping and leaving isn't really done

[@sofamiller7133]

Certain Americans sometimes refer to the middle back seat in a car as the “bitch seat.” I’d generally assume that’s the “lowest.” But the front passenger seat, which we call “shotgun” is often thought as a “servile” position, because “shotgun” would historically have been an employee of the hired stagecoach company-not one of the passengers who hired them.

[@maxmephistru]

I guessed all seats correctly, lol :) It actually has its own logic.

[@PhoenyxAshe]

I missed the elevator one. I had assumed one of the ones in back, as they would (I thought) be the last ones to get out.

[@Marco_Onyxheart]

I even understood the reason. The whole "attackers entering the room" thing. It's very logical in a twisted way. It's not a logic I agree with, but it's a logic I can easily understand.

[@thomasmaddox5638]

Excellent. I trained karate with the Japanese instructors in the early 1970's.... You learnt these rules very quickly!

[@darkmark138]

Just started watching this channel and find it very useful and you got a very nice way of explaining things.

[@Cloudnerd]

I love the structure of your videos! Subscribed!

[@LizChanFish]

What I keep hearing about is that workers are obligated to go out to bars with their bosses/superiors. I imagine this causes a lot of alcoholism in the work culture.

[@TheGuesst]

I am shocked this is the first time I have heard of stamp culture. Thank you for the lesson.

[@vilena5308]

Thank you for sharing. I didn't know the upper & lower seats were that strict. I guessed all correctly but not always with the same logic. Changing a PIN story is crazy, I change mine over the app.

[@ginocrededio7421]

I love your videos man. I’m learning so much!

[@MarkFromHawaii]

The exchange of business cards has become ritualized. When I worked as an engineering manager at our local utility, there were times when we met with several representatives from a Japanese company. We would stand in lines and great each other one on one and exchange cards and bow, then move down the row. We had to hold our cards so that our name and title faced our counterpart. Confusion ensued as to who would present their card first and bow. One must also take the time time to read and "admire" the other's card. As there were maybe a dozen on each side, you can imagine that this took a good part of a two hour meeting. Oh, and one more thing I recall, the Japanese presentation slide deck was nearly impossible to read as every square inch was filled with technical information, even for diagrams.

[@LeoH3L1]

I would have thought from the car seating example that the middle rear seat would be the highest seat, my reasoning being similar to the example about the vulnerability of the person nearest the door in the next part of the video, that the person in the middle is protected by those to either side of them from attack.

[@kcganimations5112]

1:27 as an adolescent from Malta, i don't really have knowledge of Maltese business practices. so this might come in handy when im 18!

[@leamubiu]

About the seats thing: I had not heard of this before, but surprisingly I got all answers right! That's only because I'm a very comfort-minded person, I'll go for the quietest and least busy spot whenever possible. I will go for the prettier spot even if it's less accessible (like sitting in the center of the row at the movies, despite the seat being hard to access and exit), and I'll avoid putting myself in a position where people can leave me out (front seat in a taxi, end of a table; UNLESS I'm feeling like being left alone) or ask services of me (standing up to fetch or do something). There's hardly a thing for me to remember in these scenarios, haha :D

[@dawnworthy6358]

I'm over 50 years old and raised in a particular socio-economic group in the US. I passed your position quiz 100%. The rules of etiquette I was raised with informed my choices. Although the reasoning for my choices failed to be related to the presence of one samurai, let alone an emperor, the ideas behind them do have similar aspects. You'll find the majority of Americans have no idea what I'm talking about. However, there is a class of Americans to whom these types of rules are quite familiar and are still important to as they move through what is commonly known as, "polite society."

[@vegpwrshlominator1873]

Screw polite society we make money without them and still get rich.

[@defcon7653]

I live in the U.S., and I see some of this in my own work history. Not every company I have ever worked for was like this, but the lifetime employment system, the overtime, the system and culture of obedience to superiors, and a whole bunch of other rules are all present at some companies.

[@MrSinanpala]

I recently explored your channel and I gotta admit that you are doing great job. Your videos are really fun and quite educational. Keep it up!

[@furiscafynn6275]

Eyyy I got 1 out 3 in your sitting quiz! That's so interesting!!

[@Chraan]

As far as I am aware the seat furthest from the room is internationally considered the best, and usually offered to guests. It even makes sense in the modern times, because as a guest you might not be familiar with everyone and it would be awkward to meet someone new for the first time with the back or side to that person. Personally I get an uneasy feeling when my back is turned to a door in a location I don't know well.