Comparisons Of Communication Patterns Between U.S. And Japan Marriages - Essay Example

Business Globalization-International Conferences on Business and Culture Summary of Topics In “Global Drifters/Pacific Asian Culture”, Ken-ichi Tanabe talks about global drifters at natural, regional, local community, government, company and individual level. It has been highlighted that story of Otokchi is perhaps the primary representative to promote cross cultural relations between Japan and West. In addition, Nina Murayama has described legacy of Japanese castaway John Manjiro and his contributions in developing relationships between United States and Japan. Suenaga studies the “Comparisons of Communication Patterns between U.S. and Japan Marriages” through Japanese war brides families in the United States. Communications problems in marriages of Japanese women and American men arose because of inadequate acculturation of Japanese women. The crisis in their marriages starts when their kids are grown up and identify themselves with American values and behavior norms. American and Japanese communications styles differ significantly as Americans are more straightforward whereas, Japanese prefer understanding feelings of each other. In this way, Americans are more expressive whereas, Japanese do not express their feelings and they assume that other person will understand feelings from subtle things. Moreover, significant cultural differences, religious differences and language barriers also create problems in the relations between U.S. and Japanese marriages. In a panel discussion on “Japanese Religion as Local Culture and its Global Relevance”, all panel members shared their experience when they in Japan. In the discussion, the establishment of Association of Sacred sites of Shinto and Buddhism in 2008 was considered as a cooperative relationship between the two traditions. The focus of discussion was on aspects of Japanese religion, Buddhism and Judaism in Japan. It has been highlighted by all of the panel members that Japanese have strong religious beliefs and most of the times Americans get amazed about miracles which are common things for Japanese. Like Japan other Asian countries are also nature-oriented and they believe that they learn from nature. People in Japan believe that senses are actions to be respectful and everything has a life source. They have a strong belief that God exists somewhere out there, but God is within us and even all individuals are different but they have been created by something greater than that. In the discussion on Social Justice and Global Strategies, internationalization and globalization were discussed. The main focus of discussion was on the differences between practices in Japanese and American corporations such as Toyota versus American companies. It has been highlighted that Toyota satisfies its customers by working with “kimoto”. In the beginning of discussion, notorious accident that killed Saylor family was also discussed and it was highlighted that Mr. Toyoda presented his apology in public and what difficulties he faced in his apology in front of America, international public and court. The discussion concluded by highlighting huge differences between operations of companies in their home countries and their international strategies. Takashi Ishigami in his presentation on “Small is Great: A New Perspective of Ecology and Development” talked about ‘Glocal’ thinking and action, Eyes for invisible things and matters and the tragedy of commons. He highlighted a paradigm shift in Glocal action from “you can’t see the forest for the trees” to “you can see the forest, if you see one tree”. In tragedy of the commons, he presented three cases, first case was related to regional culture and environment of Lida, second case was related to regional economy and environment in Ohata and third case was on new win-win business for regional economy and global business environment of China. It has been highlighted how newly developed fishery port, fish catch landing in new fishery port and restoration of seacoast brought cultural and environmental changes in Ohata town. Moreover, the increasing concerns of green business and practices in China have been also highlighted in this discussion. The panel discussion on Print, Publishing, and Media in the 21st Century the presenters have focused on the transition from traditional printing media to digital age. It has been highlighted that print may be facing risk of extinction because of availability of cheap information at our fingertips. Books especially those with aesthetic and historical values are facing economic pressures of digital age. In addition, environmental concerns like use of forests to produce papers and emission of carbon dioxide is further contributing to increasing environmental and economic challenges for printing. At one end, D. Michael embraces online life as it empowers love of text and community whereas, at other end, Jie Pan is working on creating an accumulation policy which may help libraries in digital age. Moreover, Hillary Robbeloth is working on questions raised by publishers, institutions and scholars in digital age. Analysis The study of above mentioned six topics give a deep insights to the increasing relationship between the United States and Japan, cultural and regional differences between the two states, increasing business globalization and the increasing complexity of doing business in cross culture. The discussion on Global Drifters/Pacific Asian Culture has provided me a significant understanding to the fact that current global business environment between Japan and United States is not a rapid phenomenon and it rooted out at individual level for example, Otokichi was the first Japanese who arrived in America and he dedicated his life in bridging the gap between America and Japan. These are not only Otokichi and Manjiro but history of full of such individuals who had made enough contributions in bridging the gap between America and Japan. Today in increasing globalized world, the business ties between two economies are increasing and becoming more complex and to further improve international investments, understanding the good relationships between the citizens of two states is very significant. The discussion on Comparisons of Communication Patterns between U.S. and Japan Marriages is also linked with the first topic because increased relationships between citizens increased cross-border marriages between the two states. This discussion provides deep insight to understand the impact of language barriers and communication differences between cross-border marriages. I am of the opinion that communication differences between Japanese and Americans are not limited to personal relationships only but they have significant implications in globalized business environment as well. The international business failures between Japan and Americans can be because of huge communication differences between the two economies. Therefore, companies operating internationally should ensure that they have reduced communication barriers otherwise such barriers can threaten their businesses. The third topic on “Japanese Religion as Local Culture and its Global Relevance” throws light on different religious beliefs and cultural differences between Japanese and Americans. After studying the significant differences I am of the opinion that if beliefs of Japanese are so strong and they are so nature-oriented then it may have significant implications in their international businesses. For example, an American company planning to start a company in Japan should consider the impact of different operations of the company on natural environment. Japanese can appear very strict and inflexible in terms of environmental protection laws. Similarly, if a Japanese firm starts a company in America it might be expecting significant respect towards the religious beliefs and cultural values of Japanese expatriate living in America. Therefore, religious and cultural differences can impact international businesses between Japan and America both positively and negatively. The topic of Social Justice and Global Strategies is really important because it reflects the differences in practices between Japanese and American organizations. Although early topics provide significant details on how citizens’ relationships fostered the relations of the economies and the major communication, cultural and religious differences however, this topic is important from the point of view of evaluating implications of these differences in business environment. The apology of Mr. Toyoda to Saylor family and American people and government for the killing of four people because of malfunctioning in cars is an example that a company has to appear more socially responsible in international environment. The accident of a small family created problems for Toyota to carry on its operations in America. Even if the American government might not have taken this matter seriously, the straightforward nature of public could hurt the operations of Toyota. It is just an example of a Japanese company operating in America and there are many other such examples which can highlight more risk exposure of organizations in international environment. Although international businesses and growth in investments bring significant development opportunities in a region, however, there are various environmental and green concerns related to it. In next topic, Small is Great: A New Perspective of Ecology and Development, this concept has been focused on. By giving the example of Ohata town in Japan with the examples of some other Asian regions, it has shown that to protect the natural environment and to avoid green concerns ‘small is great’. The given examples have made me to realize that there was a time when international investments were fostered with an intention to improve development in the region, however, today, the awareness has increased and it is evident from the fact that if a company proposes to expand its business then host government can impose green laws and practices on it. The idea is that global business has increased the complexity of doing business. The last topic “Print, Publishing, and Media in the 21st Century” significantly highlights the role of media in changing the living styles and needs of the people. The convenience, inexpensive information access and variety of information provided by digital media have changed the lifestyles of people. The examples of libraries, published printing materials and books are the perfect examples to explore the changes in the 21st century. The increasing number of online users of digital libraries and decreasing number of memberships in traditional libraries show the changing preferences of people. Although changes in needs and wants of people are happening all over the world however, the level of change may different from culture to culture. Based on discussions of various topics I am of the opinion that Japanese culture is enriched as compared to American culture, which is more advanced and modern, therefore, a significant change still exists in the people of two economies. Conclusion Based on the above discussion, it can be concluded that increasing global business is not a rapid phenomenon and it started at individual level when citizens of America and Japan bridged the gap between the two states through cross-national marriages. Although such marriages were based on love and affections between couples however, the cultural differences, religious beliefs and communication barriers created marriage crisis. In the global business environment, Japanese and American companies are operating in America and Japan respectively and these cultural differences are reflected in their operations. Moreover, environmental concerns and technological developments are further influencing the operations of the companies across their national boundaries. However, in order to improve business relationships and to foster the investments to grow understanding each other culture and showing respect towards religious or cultural beliefs is very important. References Please insert references here, as you provided me scanned sources. Read More