The paper analyzes the economic challenges currently facing Japan as a result of the recession that has hit the country following years of extraordinary economic growth.
Abstract The paper examines the major characteristics of the Japanese economy and its most important sectors-- industry and manufacturing. The paper compares the economic structure of Japan to the developed countries of Europe, such as Germany. The paper discusses the high rate of private and public investment in Japan and its lack of openness to foreign trade. The paper looks at the economic woes created as a result of the recession and the uncertainty with which the country is faced.
Table of Contents
About Japan
Economic Overview
Japan's Economic Structure
Japan's Investment Rates
Economic Woes
Japan's Trade Surplus
Japan's International Trading Process
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "While Japan is still very much focused on traditional culture, the country absorbed a great deal of Western technology during the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Bartleby, 2000). After losing World War II, Japan experienced an amazing recovery, which secured its status as the second most powerful economy in the world and a loyal ally of the United States. Although the emperor holds the throne as a symbol of national unity, the actual power falls to a network of powerful politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives. Japan's economy experienced a major slowdown in the 1990s, following three decades of unprecedented growth, and currently has some serious economic challenges."
Abstract The paper examines Japan's change in foreign policy and resulting economic growth in the second half of the 20th Century, which allowed women to enter the workforce. The paper also looks at the social changes in marriage and family life that resulted from the women's employment. It also discusses the emerging Japanese women's liberation movement called "wuman ribu" and its attempts to raise social consciousness in Japan. The paper notes the differences in attitude between Western and Japanese cultures and the fact that Japan still has a long way to go before it achieves sexual equality, especially in the workplace.
Table of Contents
Modern Japan - How is it different?
What Women Gained
Women's Movement In Japan
Women In Economy
From the Paper "Women in Japan in the past 50 years have made a huge progress as far as their presence in the workplace is concerned. We have seen that most women in the past few decades decided to pursue a career instead of staying at home and raising children. While this has resulted in tremendous economic benefits for women, it has also affected their personal lives, which is the reason why most of them are facing a major dilemma today. They are not certain if they should continue being a part of the workforce or is it better to stay at home and do justice to their traditional roles. But women in Japan still complain of discrimination and inequality in the workplace. Sometimes it is about promotion that they deserved but did not get, at others it can be about the pay scale, which often tilts in favor of their male counterparts."
Tags: feminism, gender, imperialism, distribution, mass, production
Abstract With their dramatic increase in population and the racial unrest that resulted in the destruction of Korean businesses during the Los Angeles civil unrest, Korean Americans have emerged as one of the visible ethnic groups in the country. This paper uses a series of interviews with a typical Korean-American family to evaluate its perceptions of their ethnicity. It compares and contrasts how Father Park and Mother Park's definitions differ from the experiences of their daughter Sunny. It gives particular focus on how the members of the two generations accord a different importance to learning the Korean language. In the conclusion, the paper evaluates how the Park family uses language to shore up their definitions of ethnicity. By looking at the role language plays in the Park's definitions of being "Korean" or being ?American,? this paper contributes to the larger literature on the different methods people employ to construct their ethnic identities.
From the Paper "The Parks would like Sunny to ?remember where she came from,? and for them, remembering is strongly connected with language and with an acceptance of Korean-ness. While they recognize that Sunny was born and raised in the United States and cannot help but be a product of this social and cultural environment, they also express doubts on whether Sunny can truly classify herself as "American" or be accepted by others as an American.
Part of the Parks? stand is understandable, since they are naturally projecting their experiences of marginalization onto their daughter. Since language was an important foundation in the construction of social identity in their host country, they assume this will be the same for Sunny."
Abstract An in-depth research paper into China joining the WTO and the details of the agreement of trade tariffs and quotas that was established. The paper discusses the different business cultures between east and west and why these differing cultures made it harder to implement the changes into China's economy. The writer examines how these countries are now able to merge due to the trend of globalization - both economically and culturally.
I. Introduction
II. Review of Literature
China and the West in Business
Case Studies
Tips and Other Opinions
III. Methodology
IV. Results
A Convergence of Business Cultures?
Case Studies
Tips, Strategies and Opinions
V. Summary and Conclusion
Implications and Recommendations for Further Study
References
From the Paper "What makes China stand out as a global market potential, despite its status as an underdeveloped country, is its sheer size: its huge and diverse population of close to 1.2 billion is five times the US population. This makes China the world's largest consumer economy (Ralston et al). This is why those who wish trade with, and invest in, China must be most knowledgeable about Guanxi, the Chinese's negotiating behavior (Buttery and Leung, 1997). It is their access to the needed influence in China in order to make things happen there, in establishing political capital and building relationships, which foreign investors must have and use to do business in China. But Western or foreign investors must be most aware that they will not finish up with a single negotiation or accomplishing a quick return-on-investment. Guanxi requires the building of a life-long relationship with foreign investors and proof of certain virtues. The Chinese culture in business differs widely from the Western in a number of ways, which must be effectively addressed to insure business success."
Abstract One of the most dramatic changes that took place in Asia after WWII was that several countries that had been colonized or semi-colonized emerged as independent, self-governing states, freed from colonial rule. This paper discusses the arguments for and against the statement: Japan and Korea faced a favorable, international environment in the post-war period, through close alliances with the United States during the Cold War.
From the Paper "Once this happened, Japan started to improve its relations in the realm of international politics. In the 1950s and 1960s, Japan's policy in Southeast Asia revolved around economic diplomacy, where relations were low-key and focused more on economics than politics. From the late 1970s, however, with the Americans withdrawing from Vietnam, the Japanese stepped into the limelight. In the wake of the Cold War, Japan was brought into a kind of strategic balance of power between China and the United States. It was only after this period that Japan actually gained a strategic advantage in international politics."
Abstract This paper examines the importance of music and dance in the extremely successful film industry in India. It explains that because Indian films are made predominantly for semi-literate audiences, they contain numerous action scenes (fights), elaborate song and dance sequences, a fair dose of slapstick comedy and an obligatory love story. This paper discusses why this industry is so successful and the role music and dance play in its success.
From the Paper "In its historical development, India's film industry paralleled that of the West. Dadasaheb Phalke's Raja Harishchandra, the first silent film for popular consumption, appeared in 1913; Alam Ara, the first "talkie," was released in 1931. But the Indian cinema derived its unique flavor from the older Indian musical theater-particularly from the Urdu poetic dramas of the late nineteenth century. The influence of this tradition ensured that Indian movies would favor mythological or legendary-historical stories, that their dialogue would carry an Urdu flavor even in languages other than Urdu, and that every film would be a musical."
Abstract Japan is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the global business environment. It is imperative to gain an understanding of this nation's unique and intricate culture in order to facilitate success business ventures with its people. This paper first discusses an overview of the Japanese culture, including basic facts, history, government, religion and economy. An in-depth analysis is then performed on Japanese business practices, including Japanese values, meeting etiquette and protocol and women in the business world. Lastly, implications for domestic and international managers within Japan are examined. Also included are numerous interviews with businesspeople who have or are working in Japan to contrast their perspectives with those of North Americans.
Table of Contents:
Basic Facts
A Brief History
Japanese Government
Religion
The Japanese Economy
Japanese Business Practices
- Values in Practice
- Meeting Etiquette and Protocol
- Women in the Business World
Management Implications
Appendices:
Appendix I
Interview Results
Appendix II
Japan's Placement on
Indices in the Text
Appendix III
Top 15 Important Lessons Every Business Person Must Know Before
Doing Business WITH or IN Japan!
Appendix IV
How Culture Affects Management Approaches: Cultural Dimensions
Appendix V
A "Must-Know" List of List of Japanese Culture and Customs
Addendum
Article Summary: Current Intercultural Issues and Challenges
From the Paper "The Japanese have a deep-rooted culture and value system that helps to dictate their daily business dealings. Primary to these values is the concept of trust and of establishing long lasting relationships. The Japanese will go to great lengths to get to know their business counterparts in order to feel at ease with them. Thus, when Western managers first meet their Japanese counterparts, they should be ready to participate in discussions that cover topics such as personal hobbies and family life. Moreover, after creating a bond of trust between the two parties, it is expected that the relationship will last for some time as the Japanese value long lasting relationships that are of mutual benefit. This concept is based on the Japanese heritage of being an isolated nation where people stayed in one place for a long time and thus formed long lasting relationships."
Tags: akihitu, emperor, hokkaido, honshu, kyushu, shikoku, yen
Abstract From both the management's and the customer's point of view, customer service is a component of a business that is needed by both the deliverer and the user. The paper discusses the concept of customer service and how this concept changes in a global environment, taking the international banking industry as an example. The paper shows that a bank in the US would have to operate differently in China, as it would have to be more attune to the needs of the Chinese consumers rather than the American customers, even though its base and corporate governance is American. The paper discusses Christopher Earley and Miriam Erez's book "The Transplanted Executive" which explores the issue. The paper also shows how most banking organizations base their plans and strategies on three tiers: Coordination Tier, Boundary Tier and Customer Tier.
From the Paper "According to Schneider and Bowen [1995] in a service oriented organization, customers are the foundation for the business. Without them there is no business, therefore the main aim of the organization has to focus on servicing them, catering to their needs and meeting their expectations. For every organization and depending on the service that it provides, there are certain expectations and criteria that customers judge them. For example in the banking industry it is about in-depth knowledge of the industry, the monetary environment, the kind of services available as products and the speed at which the service is being delivered. Some of the common features that customers expect are security, trust and fairness in dealings, which is what service excellence is all about."
Abstract This paper examines how Kingston's work is considered to be an important contribution on the feminist front as well as that of Asian literature. It analyzes "The Woman Warrior", which demonstrates the struggle experienced as a Chinese-American growing up in America as well as focusing on other issues such as success and mother-daughter relationships.
From the Paper "The Woman Warrior is formed from what many critics like to call fiction and fact and memory and imagination (Lauter 2094). The book examines the "difficulties in Kingston's development as a woman and as a Chinese-American" (2094). Because of it's nature and style, the book demonstrates how stories can "shape character and behavior" (2094). These stories are important because Kingston is able to develop her own sense of self by writing them. Kingston is able to learn from each character's circumstance and is able to develop her own strength of character."
Abstract Describes how Chinese political/cultural violence and expansion/colonialism, through violations of human rights and persecution, have created massive suffering in Tibet, resulting in a tremendous response on behalf of the Tibetans that is especially noticeable in their efficiently-organized resistance and their powerful will to survive and preserve their culture.
Abstract The author starts by discussing how India first became a target for commercial exploitation in the 15th century. Following the progression of British trade, followed by accumulation of political and military power, the author shows how the British eventually developed a stranglehold on India, often to the detriment of its citizens. The author shows how bringing Western culture to India helped start the move for independence by fostering ideas of equality and democracy among the educated. Finally, through the efforts of Gandhi and other revolutionaries, the author shows how persistence and non-violence - rather than brutal uprisings and terrorism - became the tools by which India would eventually become free.
Abstract During the forty years between 1952 and 1991 Taiwan exhibited phenomenal economic growth. Along with South Korea, Hong Kong and other 'Asian tigers', its annual growth rates led the world. The roots of this phenomenal success are primarily related to successful self-reinforcing promotion of exports and avoidance of the 'import substitution trap.' Other factors including the preceding period of Japanese occupation and American involvement for geopolitical reasons played subsidiary roles.
Abstract Feng Meng-long's fiction "Du Tenth" reflects the social aspects of the time of its making. Late Ming China (17th century) was a society dominated by the commercial culture of China's merchant classes. As a result, in "Du Tenth" money and love are so closely related as to be interchangeable. Money determines the beginning, the development and the end of the relationship between Du Tenth and Li Jia.
Abstract Few would dispute that China has acquired considerable economic and political powers in the region. Despite achieving progress, liberal economic policies in China have caused many social ills including the rise of criminal syndicates. This paper examines the recent rise of crime in China placing it in the context of economic and political progress and argues that the latter is cohesive enough to outweigh crimes in future China.
Abstract In "The Joy Luck Club", Amy Tan explores the relationships between four Chinese women and their Chinese-American daughters. Here we see how second generation immigrants absorb different values as they live in their new environment. This reality causes a conflict with the traditional values of their parents. Amy Tan provides a story of four mother-daughter relationships. Within this tale, it becomes clear what a great culture gap exists between the two generations.
