Japan has a distinct business culture that can be challenging to navigate. Some of its values may be difficult to comprehend, leading to misunderstandings in various cultural aspects, such as the decision-making process, attitudes toward time, and expectations regarding relationships.
Please share your practical hands-on experience of leading a project in Japan.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Maria, while I haven’t managed projects in Japan, I spent two years working with a Japanese client on one of the world’s largest Gas to Liquid Plants. Their project management approach and work culture left a strong impression on me, and inspired be to write a blog post that highlights some unique lessons I learned. I think you might find it interesting, so feel free to check it out.
Dear Rami Kaibni , I’m not certain if any part of the discussion may be seen as self-promotional, but I wanted to give you a heads-up just in case. Thanks so much for sharing!
Nov 14, 2024 4:54 PM
Maria Hrabikova
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Rami,
I reviewed the blog and want to thank you for your valuable observations.
Maria
Nov 15, 2024 5:26 AM
Danny PMP, PgMP
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Dear Rami Kaibni , back to the topic of "Leading a Project in Japan".
First, apologies for the delayed response regarding your personal website sharing. I have just had a chance to read through it, and I truly appreciate you sharing your thoughts. However, I did like to gently offer some feedback, as I feel a few of the statements may be a bit too generalized. For example:
Another example of overgeneralization is the statement "They do not argue." From my own experience in Japan, I have observed that while people generally try to maintain harmony, this does not mean arguments never occur. People may avoid open confrontation, but disagreement and debate do still happen, and I have witnessed arguments and conflicts myself on occasion.
Also, regarding the article title "Japanese Approach to Project Management", I noticed that much of the content focuses on general project management principles, such as teamwork, openness and honesty, efficiency, attitude, precision and accuracy, organizational charts, humility, and a sense of ownership. Aren't these more general approaches that apply to any project management, regardless of culture or country?
Specific approaches that originated in Japan, such as Kaizen, Lean, and other methodologies, are more representative of a distinct "Japanese approach." I just wanted to offer this perspective, as I believe it’s important to distinguish between general best practices that apply universally and those that are uniquely influenced by a particular culture.
While I truly value your personal experience, I think it’s important to remember that personal experiences can differ from broader realities, and they should not be overgeneralized. Just because someone has worked with a Japanese company doesn’t necessarily mean he/she fully understand the broader work culture in Japan.
Professional Project Manager should always rely on facts and data to guide decisions, avoiding overgeneralizations. By grounding the approach in evidence and specific insights, project manager can address challenges effectively, provide clear direction, and maintain credibility with stakeholders and the team.
Just observations & thoughts I wanted to share. Nothing personal. I hope this serves as constructive feedback, and that we can continue the discussion while remaining professional and focusing on facts, if needed.
PMO Leader | Speaker & Mentor | Content Leader – PMOGA Latin America
Hub| Catholic University of UruguayMontevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
Leading a project in Japan involves understanding and respecting Japanese business culture, using limited space efficiently, complying with strict local regulations, adopting robust project management practices and effectively managing change. It is crucial to be sensitive to cultural practices, such as the exchange of business cards and formality in communications, and to find innovative solutions for the use of space. In addition, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of local laws and regulations, especially in sectors such as construction and energy. Implementing effective change management strategies is essential to overcome resistance and ensure project success.artificial intelligence
Dear Rami Kaibni , I’m not certain if any part of the discussion may be seen as self-promotional, but I wanted to give you a heads-up just in case. Thanks so much for sharing!
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Nov 13, 2024 3:37 PM
Rami Kaibni
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Danny, thanks for the heads-up. I do want to clarify that my intention in sharing the link was simply to contribute something relevant to the discussion. I’ve been an active member of this community for nearly 10 years, and I’m generally very mindful of what’s considered self-promotional.
That said, I have to admit I didn’t appreciate that you chose to raise this concern publicly. I would have preferred if you’d reached out to me privately, as your comment felt a bit offensive to me. I’d have appreciated a more direct and personal approach to address this issue.
Heather McLarnon: Please review Mr. Danny's concern above. If you view the link I shared in response to Maria’s question as self-promotional, I’ll respect that, and feel free to remove it. Ultimately, my goal here is to share knowledge and engage with others, not promote myself.
Japan’s business culture indeed has distinctive values that can be challenging, particularly in project settings. The decision-making process, while often thorough and consensus-driven, can sometimes feel autocratic due to the strong influence of hierarchy. Senior members hold significant authority, and junior team members may be hesitant to voice differing opinions, creating an impression of inflexibility. This hierarchical structure can also make it difficult to adapt quickly to changes, as there’s often a strong preference for established methods and a cautious approach to risk.
Communication in Japan can also present challenges, as it is often indirect. Japanese professionals may avoid saying "no" outright or providing critical feedback directly to maintain harmony. This indirect communication style requires reading between the lines, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, especially for those accustomed to more straightforward communication.
Another challenge is the gap in awareness of global trends and best practices, as some Japanese organizations may be slower to adopt innovations common internationally. For example, Japan’s IT infrastructure is often considered outdated compared to global standards, relying on legacy systems that can hinder agile project management or quick adjustments when project demands shift. Understanding and navigating these dynamics is crucial for successfully leading projects in Japan, as it helps bridge cultural gaps and fosters smoother collaboration across diverse work styles.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Nov 13, 2024 3:03 PM
Replying to Danny PMP, PgMP
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Dear Rami Kaibni , I’m not certain if any part of the discussion may be seen as self-promotional, but I wanted to give you a heads-up just in case. Thanks so much for sharing!
Danny, thanks for the heads-up. I do want to clarify that my intention in sharing the link was simply to contribute something relevant to the discussion. I’ve been an active member of this community for nearly 10 years, and I’m generally very mindful of what’s considered self-promotional.
That said, I have to admit I didn’t appreciate that you chose to raise this concern publicly. I would have preferred if you’d reached out to me privately, as your comment felt a bit offensive to me. I’d have appreciated a more direct and personal approach to address this issue.
Heather McLarnon: Please review Mr. Danny's concern above. If you view the link I shared in response to Maria’s question as self-promotional, I’ll respect that, and feel free to remove it. Ultimately, my goal here is to share knowledge and engage with others, not promote myself.
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1 reply by Danny PMP, PgMP
Nov 14, 2024 1:46 AM
Danny PMP, PgMP
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Rami Kaibni , I've had the pleasure of interacting with you for some time now, and I understand your intentions. Recently, I found myself in a similar situation where I shared information about a 30% discount on edX courses available to PMI members, without providing the discount code, just a simple, step-by-step guide on how to access the details on the membership page. However, the post was removed for apparently violating the user guidelines. At first, I was a bit confused, but I understand that it wasn’t personal, and I’ve accepted that.
I’m not afraid to share that I have violated the user guidelines before (even though I didn’t entirely agree with the decision), but I recognize that these guidelines are in place for a reason. My intention in reaching out is simply to offer a reminder, as the user guidelines are publicly available, and I don’t mean to comment or judge anything you’ve said. I just wanted to mention this as a friendly reminder that user guidelines are something we all may accidentally violate from time to time.
Please don’t take this personally. It's just a friendly reminder, and I hope it’s taken in the spirit of constructive conversation. I appreciate your understanding.
Danny, thanks for the heads-up. I do want to clarify that my intention in sharing the link was simply to contribute something relevant to the discussion. I’ve been an active member of this community for nearly 10 years, and I’m generally very mindful of what’s considered self-promotional.
That said, I have to admit I didn’t appreciate that you chose to raise this concern publicly. I would have preferred if you’d reached out to me privately, as your comment felt a bit offensive to me. I’d have appreciated a more direct and personal approach to address this issue.
Heather McLarnon: Please review Mr. Danny's concern above. If you view the link I shared in response to Maria’s question as self-promotional, I’ll respect that, and feel free to remove it. Ultimately, my goal here is to share knowledge and engage with others, not promote myself.
Rami Kaibni , I've had the pleasure of interacting with you for some time now, and I understand your intentions. Recently, I found myself in a similar situation where I shared information about a 30% discount on edX courses available to PMI members, without providing the discount code, just a simple, step-by-step guide on how to access the details on the membership page. However, the post was removed for apparently violating the user guidelines. At first, I was a bit confused, but I understand that it wasn’t personal, and I’ve accepted that.
I’m not afraid to share that I have violated the user guidelines before (even though I didn’t entirely agree with the decision), but I recognize that these guidelines are in place for a reason. My intention in reaching out is simply to offer a reminder, as the user guidelines are publicly available, and I don’t mean to comment or judge anything you’ve said. I just wanted to mention this as a friendly reminder that user guidelines are something we all may accidentally violate from time to time.
Please don’t take this personally. It's just a friendly reminder, and I hope it’s taken in the spirit of constructive conversation. I appreciate your understanding.
Saving Changes...
George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
Obviously, the determination of technical user-guideline violations is outside the scope of contributors and there’s a defined process for a contributor to bring concern to a post (i.e., the “report” link). In addition, we all understand that the site and its content is monitored by a professional team, and further understand its terms of use as the team has made it readily available through a pinned subject—hence, accountability is already built into the process.
I feel that we need to be mindful of posting comments that will deviate a thread from the subject of concern (although I’ve been guilty of it). My point: If there was a technical violation of user terms then it will be addressed appropriately, however raising a “violation concern or reminder of a concern” in the way done in this thread was (in my opinion) unnecessary and did unfortunately “hijack” this subject.
-- So, in an attempt to put this thread back on course:
Danny, your comments on “Japan’s business culture” in my experience is well stated. I would add to it, that the US culture of “challenging” ideas and approaches to better them is met with unease and misunderstanding from what I have experienced.
George
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2 replies by Danny PMP, PgMP and Maria Hrabikova
Nov 14, 2024 5:44 PM
Maria Hrabikova
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George and Danny,
Thank you for sharing your insights about cultural nuances in Japan.
Maria
Nov 14, 2024 8:37 PM
Danny PMP, PgMP
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Dear George Freeman ,thank you for sharing your opinion. As I mentioned in my initial comment, I’m not entirely sure if any part of the discussion could be seen as self-promotional, but I wanted to give Rami Kaibni a heads-up just in case. I hope it’s clear that I don’t mean to judge or comment on anything in a negative light. The "report" button is generally intended for flagging offensive or spammy content as written.
A truly mindful, open discussion fosters a free-flowing conversation with few restrictions. That being said, it’s common for conversations, especially open ones, to evolve beyond the original topic. Since this isn’t a structured Q&A with specific answers (like A, B, C, or D), it’s natural for the dialogue to move organically, as long as we maintain respect for one another and adhere to the User Guidelines. If the conversation drifts off-topic, participants always have the right to choose whether to continue engaging. After all, isn’t that the very essence of an open discussion?
As far as I understand, the User Guidelines are public information that intended to apply to a wide range of situations, whether technical or non-technical. In many organizations, while our work may be monitored, it doesn’t always mean that every small violation requires a formal report to management or HR. Sometimes, a friendly reminder like saying, "This item should be recycled rather than thrown out as waste", is all that’s needed, and people generally appreciate that, even if it’s not strictly in line with company user guidelines or policies. The reminder is meant to be helpful, not judgmental.
I believe that User Guidelines should be respected in most situations, and I understand that they exist for a reason and to serve an important purpose. My comment was simply a friendly reminder, intended to point to the public guidelines, nothing personal. Instead, I trust that both the user and the moderators can make the final judgment based on their own understanding. After all, there's always some additional time to " edit " a comment after posting it. If you feel something violates the guidelines, you have plenty of time and can choose whether to address it or leave it as is. In this way, users have complete freedom of choice, and I respect their decision either way.
Ultimately, users can always write content directly in the comment rather than referring others to an external or personal link. In my view, there are many ways to stay within the User Guidelines while still sharing our thoughts.
Anyway, I'm really not here to pass any judgment. That's why I left it to the user and the moderator to decide, and in this case, the user chose to keep things as they are. I believe a reminder about the public guidelines isn't about making personal judgments. It's just a gentle reminder for everyone, myself included.
I hope this clears up my intentions. Thank you again for your understanding!
Rami,
I reviewed the blog and want to thank you for your valuable observations.
Maria
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2 replies by Danny PMP, PgMP and Rami Kaibni
Nov 14, 2024 5:04 PM
Rami Kaibni
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You're very welcome, Maria. Glad you did find it valuable. Working with team did positively influence my ways of working when it comes to Project Management!
Nov 14, 2024 9:12 PM
Danny PMP, PgMP
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Maria Hrabikova , to be honest, when I first read your post, I immediately thought of some good articles that I would like to share. It’s from Japanese authors with a sharp perspective and keen observation.
If posting external links doesn’t violate any user guidelines, please feel free to read the link below:
P.S.: Please note that the link above is not related to me in any way, so I don’t believe this counts as self-promotion. If this post violates any user guidelines, moderators, please feel free to remove it at any time. I apologize in advance for the " mini experiment ".
Community Champion
