Japan is an island nation that is made up of over 6,000 different islands (Japan Facts 2016). Japan like many island nations is shaped by the uncertainties of island culture and hard work in order to survive. Japan is one of the  most masculine cultures in the world receiving a rating of 95 on Hofstede 6D model. Even though it is one of the most masculine countries in the world it is also a collectivist nation and according to Hofstede “Japan has been a paternalistic society and the family name and asset was inherited from father to the eldest son. The younger siblings had to leave home and make their own living with their core families.” This societal norm has been adopted in Japans corporate world and has lead to a nation known to work excessive hours and made it extremely difficult for women to gain positions of power and maintain employment after having their first child.

Due to the harsh corporate environment and economic times in Japan many of the youth are living at home at not placing the same priority on family life and long term career success. Sex and relationships for the youth of Japan is no longer a high priority and according to the government’s population institute, women in their early 20s today have a 25% chance of never marrying and even worse, their chances of remaining without children are even higher at almost 40% (Hayworth 2013) further worsening the already low birthrate. Japan is projected by experts to lose over 34% of their population by 2100 and currently has one of the lowest birthrates in the world at 1.4%

Change requires learning, learning from past mistakes and learning from others. Japan as a nation is on the verge of being forced to change or accept their fate as a nation on the decline. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has publicly declared the population problem a priority for the nation and has addressed it with what is being called Abenomics and is trying to target the 1.8% birthrate for the nation in addition to a three pronged approach to boost the economy and spending (Hutt 2016). Only time will tell if Japan is really a nation ready to learn and embrace change allowing them to solve the current decline in population that is forecasted to only get worse.

Geert Hofstede. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2016, from https://geert-hofstede.com/japan.html

Haworth, A. (2013, October 20). Why have young people in Japan stopped having sex? Retrieved November 27, 2016, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/20/young-people-japan-stopped-having-sex

Japan Facts. (2016, October 13). Retrieved November 23, 2016, from http://www.mapsofworld.com/japan/facts.html

Diversity is typically viewed on two different levels; surface level diversity and a deep level diversity. Surface level diversity are the characteristics that we as humans notice about each other that distinguish us from each other, for example height, hair or eye color. Deep level diversity is our differences in personal or cultural beliefs, values and attitudes that affect how individuals behave. Surface level diversity are things that we typically cannot change,  they’re determined by our genetics. Deep level diversity can be difficult to change but not impossible. Things like views on politics or religion can be changed over time and are usually done through experiences or different viewpoints we had not seen in the past. Creating a climate that includes diversity can sometimes fail, people are often resistant to change. my work environment is dominated by males and always has been. The only diversity really seen in the group would include the range of ages for the people that are employed. Recently I decided to buck the trend, I hired a female to work for my department. I received a lot of initial criticism with higher management and doubt about whether it was a good idea to bring a female into the all-male environment. Just like chapter 5 stated in Managing Cultural Differences the “good old boys” club was alive and well. A simple discussion with the males in my group was had before she started. Expectations of behavior and treatment to the young lady were clearly laid out followed by a time of open discussion and questions. I check in regularly with the males and female to make sure things are still conducive to a positive working environment and give her the opportunity to work with all of the guys. It has been three months now, and also a blessing. She has been a breath of fresh air, always smiling and happy to work. Whenever she is around everyone is a little more positive and the conversation has improved as a result. She is always looking to learn new things which in turn has caused the males to make sure they don’t get shown up by a female. The worry from management has regressed over time as more of the leadership group has had a chance to work with or along side her. I will admit, I was a little nervous about how well she would fit in and if she would be able to keep up with the physical nature of the work due to stereotypes commonly placed on females. So far she has proven all of us wrong, my favorite thing about the hire is that the word of her success is spreading hopefully opening new doors for others.

Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V. (2014). Managing Cultural Differences (Ninth Edition ed.). Oxon, OX: Routledge.

My last name is Higuchi, which is Japanese by origin. My Grandfather was a first generation Japanese 16yr old boy living in Honolulu Hawaii that fateful day in December. He met his wife of English/Dutch decent in NY and they had 3 boys and 1 daughter. My other Grandfather was living in Santa Fe, NM, He was a 4th generation descendant of Spain and met his Irish/Indian/Spanish wife having 4 daughters years later. All of this makes me as some would say a classic American Mutt.

With so many different cultural backgrounds most people are not able to identify what race or ethnicity I would belong to. Some think I am Hawaiian, Mexican, some form of Asian and sometimes American Indian. As a kid I was often encouraged to fill in Asian Pacific Islander on my school assessments as I grew up in a mostly Christian/Catholic Hispanic and African American neighborhood. Because of my upbringing I was fortunate to be introduced to many different cultures. As I started to become a young adult we had moved neighborhoods and most of my new friends were White and Mormon. Again I was introduced to a new culture of people and religion. The values were a little different both personally and culturally from where I grew up.

I remember being  a new high school graduate and attending a party in a different part of town. There, at the party many people of different cultures and ethnic backgrounds were represented. The night was going well until a group of Hispanic males joined the festivities and wanted to make their presence known. They happened to decide on a small white friend of mine to pick on and start a fight. This, is something  to this day I have not forgotten and have pondered since. As I intervened and stepped in, the leader of this group of Hispanic males was confused. He could not for the life of him understand why I would stand up for this White kid. He kept telling me to join him and be “down with la rasa”. Given my curious nature I asked what he meant, he told me that browns need to stick together no matter what not knowing he was picking on my friend. I refused to join him in picking on my friend and thankfully they were escorted out of the party with no violence involved. I had never heard that before, “down with la rasa”. Every once in a while I tell this story, most people find it a bit ridiculous that this particular gentleman thought I would join him to fight one of my best friends just because he was white and I have a good tan. If this doesn’t fit into the category of ethnocentrism I don’t know what does. These young men were stereotyping  my friend as an easy target and wanted to impose their will on him. I have asked other Hispanic males since if this is prevalent within their culture,most have replied no. Not sure why they held that view that night but I glad I was able to experience it making myself a little more globally aware.

My name is Kore Higuchi, I am located in the Sacramento, CA area. I work at a University as a small department manager. I am in pursuit of BA Organization Leadership from PSU and hope to graduate in December. After Graduation I would like to move into a role of public service so that I can give back more directly to the community that I live in. My department consists of 4 Union employees and a small army of student staff.

One of my favorite leadership quotes that I haven’t been able to identify its author is, “there is no right way to do something wrong.” I love to spend time with my wife and 3 kids and be outdoors as much as possible.