Understanding Japanese Management Practices

Chapter 2

Human Resource Management

Japanese management is strongly related to the country’s unique culture, which was formed and strengthened by a century-long seclusion of the country. Confucianism is the base of Japanese culture and society, and its influences can also be observed in Japan’s business practices today. Japanese corporations have developed very unique human resource management practices, such as lifetime employment, job rotation, and a strong focus on training within the firms. These practices are often called the backbone of Japanese economic development, since they supported the rapid economic development of the country after World War II. And even if many Japanese human resource practices are challenged by economic development, ...