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Women in Japanese companiesPernille Rudlin
Rudlin Consulting Ltd
• Japanese social and historical context and recent changes• Cultural and gender influences on
communication style• What to do?
Confucian influence
• 5 relationships with mutual obligations - righteous behaviour in the husband and obedience in the wife
• Carry out obligations of role, for harmonious society
The Office Lady – 1980s Japan
Changes• Equal Opportunity Law in effect from 1986• Temporary and part time workers increased
since 1990s, now make up >36% of workforce• Declining birth, marriage rate• Abenomics – target of women filling 30 percent
of senior positions in all parts of society by 2020, improve childcare, extend parental leave
• Overtime…
Communication in Japan
• Male/female language• High female voice considered sexy• Subject-Verb-Object order different• Polite – don’t use “I”, use passive tense• After hours “nominication”
Meetings• Nemawashi• Prepare the ground• Consensus• No open expression of
disagreement• Juniors stay quiet• No one decision maker
Final thoughts• Use “feminine” communication style to gain trust of Japanese
colleagues (less threatening than Western males)• Do nemawashi and show that it has been done• Offer to transfer to Japan headquarters• Explain to Western men that intelligence, seniority,
competence more important to Japanese than gender• Send signals to Japanese men that not “administrative” – Make sure job status/qualifications clear – Willingness to do overtime when needed– Socialising
• Seek out Japanese “sempai” (mentors)
Contact UsPernille RudlinRudlin Consulting96 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 [email protected]@pernilleru
All contents of this presentation are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or used without permission
Contact UsPernille RudlinRudlin Consulting96 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 [email protected]@pernilleru
All contents of this presentation are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or used without permission
