Issues | THE FOREIGN ELEMENT Aug 31, 2020

A costly waiting game for inbound foreign workers

While some permanent residents and students are slowly trickling back into Japan, businesses are waiting to hear if new hires can join their ranks.

DEEP DIVE Aug 25, 2020

Episode 62: How Japan's border closures have affected international students

Since Japan imposed entry restrictions on April 3, many students and academics have been left stranded outside the country, unable to pursue their studies and research. Many have also lost the scholarships that have funded their studies so far. On this episode we’re taking a ...

National Aug 14, 2020

Travel bans throttle Japanese universities’ global ambitions

Non-Japanese students and faculty find study and research plans upended by pandemic restrictions.

Issues | THE FOREIGN ELEMENT Jul 17, 2020

Re-entry ban causes foreign firms and talent to question long-term plans in Japan

As confusion continues over the Japanese government's re-entry ban for foreign residents, the international business community has started voicing concerns.

Commentary / Japan Jun 12, 2020

Is Japan’s low COVID-19 death rate due to a 'higher cultural level'?

The nation's successful management of the pandemic has become a point of pride for many Japanese.

How-tos May 11, 2020

How the coronavirus widens a cultural divide

If you'd like your Japanese colleagues to come around to your way of thinking, you'll need to convince them in a way that's common in the culture.

Voices Apr 1, 2020

Does Japan’s culture explain its low COVID-19 numbers?

With the West now taking another look at widespread use of face masks to stop the spread of the new coronavirus, it's worth noting another aspect of Japanese culture that might be keeping the number of infections down: shame.

How-tos Mar 5, 2020

Japanese corporate culture explains why experts given back seat in virus response

Organizations in Japan tend not to rely on specialists when it comes to solving in-house problems, which may be a consequence of fostering a workforce of generalists.

How-tos Feb 13, 2020

Corporate Japan's paralyzing fear of the unhappy customer

Avoiding risks in business can help to keep your company safe, but it also lessens the chance you'll do something truly game-changing.

How-tos Jan 16, 2020

Why English translation needs the native touch

Japan is a country that prides itself on focusing on the smallest details, so why do incorrect English translations plague signage across the country?