When problems arise in Japanese contexts, they belong to groups rather than individuals. If something goes wrong, the natural response is to engage the relevant team, family, or community rather than expecting one person to handle it alone.
This reflects deep assumptions about how problems should be addressed—that collective wisdom produces better solutions, that shared responsibility distributes burden and risk, and that group commitment ensures implementation. When you’re working with Japanese colleagues on a problem, assume that they’ll want to consult their team, that credit and responsibility will be shared, and that individual heroics are less valued than coordinated group effort. Don’t push for one person to own the problem; engage the collective.
Comments