... Making remarks about the physical attributes of women waitresses is a normal part of evening business entertainment to many Japanese executives. And it is not unheard of for them to complain about a female colleague’s looks. How do western female managers working in Japan cope...

... with today’s intensive competition. While such concerns underpin the debate taking place in almost all Western countries, these are also issues at the center of the debate surrounding vocational training in Japan. Describes the current structures and possible reforms. Business education Central government...

... In today’s increasingly competitive business world, training is gaining the same kind of status as motherhood and apple pie. But a Japan‐based multinational supermarket chain offers a more thorough and all‐embracing training programme to its Japanese graduates than to those it recruits in Hong...

... Investigates why unions have found it so difficult to get a foothold in Japanese‐owned automobile factories in the USA. International trade Japan Recruitment Subsidiaries Trade Unions USA All the major Japanese automobile manufacturers have recently set up assembly plants...

... So‐called “enterprise” unions ‐ in which membership is restricted to a company’s employees ‐ predominate in Japan. Some are more independent from management than others. Examines the differences. © MCB UP Limited 1997 Industrial conflict Japan Management attitudes Trade unions...

... Companies in declining industries can still be successful, as the experience of Toray of Japan, the world’s largest textile firm, demonstrates. Describes how training has helped to keep Toray on top. Toray’s long‐term management vision, APG 2000, emphasizes the key role of human resources. APG...

..., which began as a greengrocery business in Atami, Japan, almost 70 years ago, uses the Truth of Life, the central tenet of komyo (human enlightenment) philosophy, as the foundation of its education and training of employees. Much of this training takes place at the Yaohan International Education...

... and harmony. But many small‐ and medium‐size companies have seized the opportunity to create new products, fill market niches ‐ and put many of the people dismissed from large corporations back into productive work. © MCB UP Limited 1997 Cost reduction Labour costs Japan Job promotion Job...

... A company’s “core” workers in Japan can still expect jobs for life, but recession has brought an end to automatic progression up the corporation’s hierarchy. The result is a growing army of “plateaued” middle‐aged and older employees. Some fare even worse. They remain on the company payroll...

... What does it take to lead a company which is learning to change and changing to learn? Discusses the practices and principles of proven leaders from firms such as PepsiCo, Tata, Toyota and Wal‐Mart. © MCB UP Limited 1997 Japan Leadership Motor industry Retail trade Soft drinks...