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Japan wants foreign entrepreneurs, but what's missing?

japantimes.co.jp

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Re: Japan wants foreign entrepreneurs, but what's missing?

#141

Post by rootsudo »

jolmg wrote: post #120
rootsudo wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because no one wants to deal with someone who can't speak Japanese on Japan. As I stayed above, it's a barrier of entry.

While I've never had any first-hand experience with Japan, it is said that there is some degree of discrimination that stems from cultural differences. Stuff like foreigners find it more difficult to rent apartments because the owners are concerned they won't be quiet enough and disturb the neighbors, or won't sort out their trash appropriately, etc. I don't think language is the only issue. Japanese work culture als…

I agree, you don't have any first hand experience in Japan.

If what you all said was true, why do foreign enterprises profit in Japan then?

Language is culture.

Culture is people.

You seem to be missing the big picture, and that isn't bad - it just means you should try to improve your ignorance.

Plus, all the issues you said apply anywhere in the world.

Re: Japan wants foreign entrepreneurs, but what's missing?

#142

Post by myrandomcomment »

magduf wrote: post #88
claudeganon wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Countries exist that have dozens of languages and tribes. They usually have endless social problems, unrest, civil wars and often break up. Oh yeah, the history of the Swiss in the context of Europe is just non-stop insanity and violence. If only they could aspire to be more monocultural and peaceful, like their neighbors, the Germans...

Switzerland is really the only example I can think of that's an exception to the OP's claim. Do you have any others at all?

Singapore has 4 languages and associated faiths and works pretty well.

Re: Japan wants foreign entrepreneurs, but what's missing?

#143

Post by debatem1 »

magduf wrote: post #132
debatem1 wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The first part seems circular to me: you feel like we should fear becoming Lisbon because if you were in their shoes you would fear this outcome. Well, sure. But at a glance Lisbon seems to be doing pretty well for itself-- certainly better than lots of places in the US. Besides your sense that such cultural changes are bad, what makes them bad? Why, objectively, should they be feared? And the second part feels is fr…

>you feel like we should fear becoming Lisbon because if you were in their shoes you would fear this outcome. Who's "we", and where did I say "we" should fear this? I just pointed out the people of Portugal might not like this, nor might people in other places that might be having similar issues. If you're talking about the US, then no, that's not a well-founded fear at all. >But at a glance Lisbon seems to be doing…

I think you're inferring a lot of things I didn't say (and an unhealthy number I don't agree with).

"We" in this case is shorthand for you and I. It seems you resent that association, so I apologize for extending it.

Regarding economics, I didn't say economic harm. I was simply asking what the actual harm is. Setting aside the question of whether something that can't be measured exists, let's try for an easier bar: can a harm that can't even be articulated exist?

Regarding Trump and Brexit, my views there are not germane to this conversation-- but since you asked and will undoubtedly try to force the issue, I'll state that I oppose both.

On the topic of telling the Portuguese to start speaking English-- if you think that was where I was heading here you're way off the mark and I don't think that's my fault.

Re: Japan wants foreign entrepreneurs, but what's missing?

#144

Post by debatem1 »

Causality1 wrote: post #138
debatem1 wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So, I don't understand this perspective at all. Help me get it. It seems to me that speaking a language is a skill. I know from my own experience trying to learn a second language that it isn't an easy skill for many people to acquire. Why should I be more irritated that someone doesn't speak English than that they, say, can't make a cabinet or can't write Java, or any other mildly demanding skill? I get the argument…

It's the same reason I would be irritated to find myself in a restaurant in America that only accepts Chinese Yuan and won't let me pay with dollars. Sure, I could just avoid that place, but I dislike the idea that someone from a foreign country has carved out a portion of my homeland in which I am less welcome.

Why? There are plenty of places the cash in my wallet doesn't get me into where the country of origin isn't the issue.

Re: Japan wants foreign entrepreneurs, but what's missing?

#145

Post by jesterson »

rootsudo wrote: post #141
jolmg wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While I've never had any first-hand experience with Japan, it is said that there is some degree of discrimination that stems from cultural differences. Stuff like foreigners find it more difficult to rent apartments because the owners are concerned they won't be quiet enough and disturb the neighbors, or won't sort out their trash appropriately, etc. I don't think language is the only issue. Japanese work culture als…

I agree, you don't have any first hand experience in Japan. If what you all said was true, why do foreign enterprises profit in Japan then? Language is culture. Culture is people. You seem to be missing the big picture, and that isn't bad - it just means you should try to improve your ignorance. Plus, all the issues you said apply anywhere in the world.

If you pardon my interruption - you shouldn't be so hostile and rude to people trying to convey their point. I'd say don't be rigid - be openminded and look what people want to say.

As someone who have a lot of first hand experience in Japan I must say most of "liberation" that government declare are mere declarations. This applies not just to visa or enterpreneurship policies but to most of local matters as well. And then some people are surprised - government did something so why no-one is coming?

> If what you all said was true, why do foreign enterprises profit in Japan then?

If we look at list of companies that left Japan and compare it to list of companies that succeeded, the first one would be much longer. You still need to be a part of keiretsu to operate, to open a bank account, to get rid of all those ridiculous requirements business usually fights with, and so on.

> They've opened up the gates.

That's a very strong definition of what is happening. I'd say they reduced the code from the lock from 48 character password to 24, but still keep the passphrase :)

Despite declaration of "opening", Japan still preserves all possible barriers for emerging business and protecting it's own, largely inefficient, keiretsu companies and businesses.

> But not the infrastructure or trust and safety.

While it's debatable, it's not an exclusive thing. Singapore, Hong Kong, offers better safety with significantly better taxation.

Re: Japan wants foreign entrepreneurs, but what's missing?

#146

Post by thiefmeister »

rootsudo wrote: post #141
jolmg wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While I've never had any first-hand experience with Japan, it is said that there is some degree of discrimination that stems from cultural differences. Stuff like foreigners find it more difficult to rent apartments because the owners are concerned they won't be quiet enough and disturb the neighbors, or won't sort out their trash appropriately, etc. I don't think language is the only issue. Japanese work culture als…

I agree, you don't have any first hand experience in Japan. If what you all said was true, why do foreign enterprises profit in Japan then? Language is culture. Culture is people. You seem to be missing the big picture, and that isn't bad - it just means you should try to improve your ignorance. Plus, all the issues you said apply anywhere in the world.

I live here in Japan and it is quite hard to adjust especially with the language.

I'm just working in a Japanese company that's trying to go global.

But imagine, starting your own business, legal papers that need to be in Japanese. Compliances. Paperworks. It is tough.

Even filing taxes here is tough for a foreigner.

Re: Japan wants foreign entrepreneurs, but what's missing?

#147

Post by NonEUCitizen »

claudeganon wrote: post #74
Mikeb85 wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How is Japan a cautionary tale? They're one of the most (the most?) developed countries on earth, enjoy one of the highest standards of living and economically punch well above their weight (based on population and access to resources). I don't see where the problem is... The vast majority of countries, even many western countries only wish they had Japan's 'problems'.

Subtract their position as the forward operating base for the US military in Asia and try telling this story again. While Japanese economic progress postwar was astonishing, it was entirely premised on them having favored status in the region. Few people know, for example, that the US forced Korea to purchase massive amounts of goods from Japan to rebuild its economy, essentially reinstating their former colonial rel…

Japan exports more to China than to US:

http://www.worldstopexports.com/japans-top-import-partners/

Re: Japan wants foreign entrepreneurs, but what's missing?

#148

Post by benguild »

After having done this myself, I figure that even for a Japanese native this must be tedious without having done it at least twice before.

When we closed down our company... a native helped us submit the paperwork to close out our local bank account with an online bank. It took SIX MONTHS of sending the same form back and forth with corrections to finish it, haha.

Re: Japan wants foreign entrepreneurs, but what's missing?

#149

Post by danielscrubs »

You need to know Japanese, streamlined beauty standards, you need to work crazy hours and it looks bad if you have switched companies in the past.

Get past these problems and non-japanese start to love it. They are not as racist as many people make them out to be, most are just extremely frustrated that english and being chubby isn't enough to be accepted.

Re: Japan wants foreign entrepreneurs, but what's missing?

#150

Post by magduf »

claudeganon wrote: post #134
magduf wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So basically you're arguing in favor of imperialism? Imperialism replaces internal violence with violence (or the threat of it) from an outside oppressor. How is this a good solution?

No, I’m stridently anti-imperialist, but simply observing the historical reality that, counter to OP’s claims, “monocultural” nationalism is a modern, unstable construction, that tends toward violence.

>but simply observing the historical reality that, counter to OP’s claims, “monocultural” nationalism is a modern, unstable construction, that tends toward violence.

You state this as if it's a fact, but it simply isn't. There's lots of monocultural nations that don't have any violence problems whatsoever: Scandinavian nations come to mind immediately.

Moreover, the "golden" days of the Cold War were pretty awful for a lot of people. The US and USSR didn't go to war directly, but instead conducted a bunch of proxy wars: Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea, etc. The 20th century after WWII was full of violence, it was just kept away from the two imperial powers mostly. Instead they instigated violence in other places to pursue their "interests", such as when the USA overthrew the democratically-elected government in Iran and installed a brutal dictator.

As for stability, I would argue that stability is something we've never had anywhere, not long-term. I don't think you can point to anything that's been continuously stable for a long time, so I would argue that instability is the norm. Trying to keep a society stable is like trying to balance on a beach ball: you can do it for a little while, but eventually you're going to fall.

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