What Made Me an Admirer of Japan

There are many things the rest of the world can learn from Japan. The one aspect that inspired me most was the indefatigable spirit of the people of Japan. It is a country that has been devastated by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis. I was amazed by the great courage and strength shown by the Japanese people in times of disaster and their ability to withstand hardships.

Much of the devastation within Japan occurred in the lead-up to the end of the Second World War in 1945. Massive air raids over many Japanese cities saw widespread destruction of many factories and homes. The air raid in Tokyō alone killed over 80,000 people and left nearly one million homeless.

The most catastrophic event occurred when the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were hit with atomic bombs on August 6th and 9th respectively. The combination of the heat and blast reduced everything near the explosion into cinders or rubble. Hundreds of thousands of people either died, were immediately injured, or subsequently suffered from the lethal effects of radiation. However the Japanese people faced the calamities with exceptional courage and forbearance. The remarkable survival and the prosperity they attained in two decades after the World War can be attributed to their unique cultural values and philosophy of life.

The Japanese have an obsession with excellence. No matter what it is, they always strive to improve upon it. The Japanese are generally obsessed with quality, hard work, and traditional values. This combination has led them to a remarkable economic success. It is their strong work ethic that has helped them to become one of the most productive countries in the world. They are also known for their innovation and adaptability.

According to Kaizen, the Japanese philosophy of betterment, perfection does not exist. If perfection was a possibility, then any further efforts of improvement after 'perfection' would not be needed, and all such efforts would be futile. But the possibility of even a 0.01% improvement is still an improvement and thus it becomes worth the focus and energy to pursue, as it would cycle in perpetuity and the combined effect would be considerable in terms of overall enhancement of the world.

Toyota is a classic example of applying Kaizen to their processes and global organizational culture in their factories and offices both within Japan and outside. This has made them one of the best automobile manufacturers in the world.

The same philosophy which is deeply ingrained in the Japanese psyche, can be seen permeating through most Japanese businesses.

What makes Kaizen significant in the workplace is that it is not something that is forced upon the employees as a rule to be followed. It has become an innate principle that is applied by everyone in the organization without any knowledge or training by simply asking one question repeatedly: “How can I/we make this better?” It is really a fascinating inner transformation when you strive for continuous improvement instead of striving for one-time perfection.

Every culture transmits values to its younger generation first in the context of family, and then through the process of education. In Japan, some of the core values are concern for others, doing your best, being slow and steady, not giving up, respecting the elders, understanding your role, and working in a group. These concepts are taught explicitly and implicitly right from nursery school to the workplace.

The concept of “omoiyari” (omoyi- thought, yari-give) is to give or to notice and think of others) is taught to the Japanese students while they are still young. This accounts for the tolerance and compassion they show to one another and the world around them. In Japan, students have to pass difficult entrance examinations to move to the next level of education, and in the process, they learn that “ganbaru” (effort) and “gaman” (enduring) are far more important in reaching their goals than innate ability.

Empathy is greatly valued by the Japanese in human relationships. In Japanese mythology, the gods often display human emotions. In these stories, the attitudes and behaviour that result in positive relations with others are rewarded; and empathy, identifying oneself with another, is highly valued. By contrast, those actions that are antisocial, or that are harmful to others, are condemned. In these stories, hurtful behaviour is punished by ostracizing the offender. Children learn early in their lives to recognize that they are part of an interdependent society, beginning in the family and later extending to larger groups such as neighborhoods, schools, communities, and workplaces. Dependence on others is considered a natural part of the human condition; it is viewed negatively only when the social obligations it creates are too difficult to fulfil. The essence of teamwork skills can be found in the Japanese concept of “Wa”. The term Wa (group harmony) is one of the most fundamental concepts in Japan’s value system. “Wa,” the concept of harmony within a group, requires an attitude of cooperation and a recognition of social roles. If each individual in the group understands personal obligations and empathizes with the situations of others, then the group as a whole is benefited. So, Wa teaches us that success can come only if all put forth their best individual efforts.

The tradition of Samurai, the great warriors, is also deeply ingrained in the psyche of the Japanese people. The basis of samurai conduct is “bushido” or "the way of the warrior." This unique philosophy held in high regard values like reckless bravery and selflessness, as well as duty to the warrior's master to give up one's life and embrace death. There was no place for fear in the way of the warrior, and this conduct of self-discipline and ethical behaviour later became the role model behaviour for all other classes throughout Japan's history. “The Book of Five Rings” by Miyamoto Musashi is a good reference

From the thirteenth century, samurai conduct became heavily influenced by Zen Buddhism. By being present in the moment, Zen training allowed samurai to become one with their sword and gave them a mental edge over their enemy. Zen meditation calmed the mind and gave a warrior the philosophical strength to deal with the inevitability of death. Buddhist teachings had such an immense effect that as they became more ingrained in the life of the Samurai warriors, some of them found no meaning in killing and gave up their swords to embrace the life of a monk.

An account of Japan would remain incomplete if we didn’t mention the great philosophy of life in Japan known as “Ikigai.” There is a view that it is the reason for their happiness and longevity. Ikigai means “a reason for being.” It refers to having a direction and sense of purpose in life. The Japanese believe that every human being has an ikigai or a passion that gives value and joy to life.