Japanese problem-solving favors incremental improvement over dramatic transformation. Kaizen—continuous improvement—makes this explicit: sustainable progress comes through accumulated small gains rather than breakthrough changes. Each small improvement makes subsequent improvements possible.
This shapes how problems are defined and addressed—breaking large problems into smaller components, expecting gradual rather than sudden progress, valuing steady improvement over time. When working with Japanese counterparts, don’t expect or propose revolutionary change. Frame improvements incrementally, show how small steps accumulate, and demonstrate patience with gradual progress. Dramatic transformation proposals will meet resistance; steady improvement proposals align with cultural expectations.
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