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Question 1: Integrated Products Visits Japan
Integrated Products, Inc. is an American firm that has worked with a Japanese partner, Tokyo Circuits, Ltd. for about 5 years. Recently, however, the two companies decided to work together on a joint-venture manufacturing facility. Bill Morrison is the Director of Manufacturing for Integrated Products, and has been working directly with Mr. Tanaka of Tokyo Circuit's Planning Production Department.

Bill just arrived in Japan yesterday, and although he had been planning to go to Japan by himself, at the last minute Jim Lowell, the president, decided to join him. Jim felt it necessary at this stage for Integrated Products to show as much interest and support as possible for this new venture, and knew face-to-face contact to be vital with the Japanese.

Within a few moments after meeting with Mr. Tanaka this morning, the president of Tokyo Circuits walked in and talked pleasantly with them for about 30 minutes. During the meeting, Mr. Tanaka seemed somewhat uneasy. Shortly, Bill, Jim, and Mr. Tanaka left to meet with the manufacturing management staff.

Based on your knowledge of Japanese business values, what is a plausible explanation for Mr. Tanaka's uneasiness this first morning?

A: Mr. Tanaka is not necessarily acting "uneasy" or unhappy. He is with the president of his company, his superior, and therefore is just behaving particularly formal and reserved.
B: Mr. Tanaka was not expecting Jim Lowell to come, and had not made arrangements for his own president to be involved in this visit. He, therefore, lost face within his organization.
C: Mr. Tanaka has been instrumental in his company's decision to sign this joint-venture agreement with Integrated Products. He is not happy about playing "second fiddle" at this meeting, nor about all of the congratulatory remarks being directed at his President, someone who had been a grudging participant in the joint venture in the first place.
 
Question 2: Mr. Kondo: Japanese Family Man

Mr. Kondo is visiting the U.S. on a short-term work assignment. He recently stayed for a weekend with Bob and Joan Taylor and their two children. On Friday evening, shortly after dinner, Joan was showing Mr. Kondo some pictures on the wall from a recent family reunion. Joan asked Mr. Kondo about his family, and he replied that he had in fact brought some pictures with him.

Mr. Kondo showed Joan a photo of his wife and two small daughters, all dressed in kimonos. Mr. Kondo explained that the picture had been taken in Japan during a special holiday. Joan thought the photo was lovely, and commented on how beautiful Mrs. Kondo looked. Mr. Kondo laughed and said, "Oh no, she is not beautiful at all. In fact, she is very plain."

What was Mr. Kondo's reason for saying this?
A: Mrs. Kondo is not, in fact, particularly beautiful in Japanese culture, and so Mr. Kondo was surprised that Joan seemed to think otherwise.
B: Regardless of what Mr. Kondo actually thinks of his wife's appearance, it is impolite and even arrogant in Japan to accept compliments so readily. Mr. Kondo chose the appropriate course of action and denied the compliment.
C: Mr. Kondo is hesitant to express his own admiration for his wife's beauty to someone he doesn't know very well. With his friends in Japan he would feel comfortable doing so, but the discussion has become a little too personal and uncomfortable for him, so he brought the conversation to a close.
 
Question 3: Mr. Wong's Relatives
Sam Reston has just recently been transferred to China as the General Manager of his company's joint venture plant in Beijing. The plant has been in operation for three years, and most of the Chinese staff are already in place. There are, however, six new positions opening up and Mr. Wong, the Personnel Manager, has just brought a list of finalists for Sam to approve.

As Sam is looking at the list, Mr. Wong proceeds to explain that three people on the list are related to him, and that he is pleased that they will be joining him at the company soon.

What should Sam do now?

A: Sam should explain to Mr. Wong the firm's policy frowning on nepotism, and then have him start the interviewing process over again.
B: Sam should just tell Mr. Wong to go ahead and hire the six people he has chosen.
C: Sam should meet with the six individuals as a "final interview", and judge them for himself.
 
 
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