Why Japanese companies do so many different things

Post by ExoticPearTree » Sat, May 23, 2026, 4:07 AM UTC

xandrius wrote: post #195

ExoticPearTree wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Japan takes Western concepts, and applies an obsessive cultural devotion to mastery (Shokunin). Thank you for explaining this. I was alawys amazed how the japanese would take the cuisine from other countries and make it better in all aspects than the country that originated it.

Why are people saying that the Japanese counterpart of other cuisines are better? Have you guys eaten the originals? OP mentions curry, bread, pizza, etc. Those are things most gaijins complain about when in Japan! Can't find a proper piece of bread that isn't sweetened, or you find a French chain doing something almost similar but still not on par with breads found in France. I helped at a pizza shop near Fuji city…

Post by kevmo314 » Sat, May 23, 2026, 4:29 AM UTC

fyrn_ wrote: post #190

showerst wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't feel like this article necessarily idolized it; the author seemed pretty even-handed about strengths and weaknesses. The interesting question in all of these kinds of things is "are there ideas we can take to gain the strengths of other systems or patch the weaknesses in ours?". Looking at Japan specifically, I think I speak for most westerners in saying that if we could get a little more stability and less…

Although from the perspective of most of the world, the US is also very work oriented. We also work some of the longest hours

Post by throwaway2037 » Sat, May 23, 2026, 4:55 AM UTC

poncho_romero wrote: post #145

throwaway2037 wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> We're a very car-centric society, and the Japanese auto makers have been a part everyday life to 3 full generations of Americans now. I assume "we" are Americans. I keep writing this over and over again on HN: There are NO highly developed non-micro states that are not car centric outside of major cities. Yes, literally, Japan, outside of a few large cities, is incredibly car centric. Sure, the cars are small and c…

I think when people criticize America for being car centric, they mean that even urban and suburban areas often rely solely on car travel (e.g. Houston). Cars in rural/less developed areas are perfectly reasonable.

Post by Scrapemist » Sat, May 23, 2026, 5:21 AM UTC

rjzzleep wrote: post #307

jodacola wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It makes me wonder(i'm korean): how would a Westerner react if they saw me romanticizing the Mondragon cooperatives in Spain? They’d probably find it strange and out of touch with reality. Quite the opposite - for me, anyway. FWIW, as a Westerner, I find the Mondragon Corporation to be fascinating and something I've read a lot about because there's no way we've figured out the ideal sort of setup for a business (or…

Wait, how can you as a Korean say these things as if you're different, given that Korean companies are essentially the same?

Post by socalgal2 » Sat, May 23, 2026, 5:30 AM UTC

andrewmutz wrote: post #80

jdw64 wrote: post #7

It’s always fascinating to see how Westerners idealize Japan on platforms like HN. It makes me wonder(i'm korean): how would a Westerner react if they saw me romanticizing the Mondragon cooperatives in Spain? They’d probably find it strange and out of touch with reality. This essay on Japan's corporate diversification and physical tacit knowledge is an interesting read. However, as an East Asian, my assessment is tha…

Japanese and American companies have different purposes. In Japan the corporation primarily provides stable income and employment for society, and secondarily returns on capital invested. In America, corporations primarily provide returns on capital invested and secondarily provide stable income and employment. This shows up in the data too. Japanese corporations are less likely to go out of business but provide wors…