Japanese vs. Global Work Cultures: My Experience Across Borders
From working in Japan with people from all over the world to adapting to life in the U.S.
Hi there! I’m Mrs. Young. I was born and raised in Japan and now live in the states. Today, I want to share my experiences from when I worked as an assistant director at an English school in Japan. It was a unique job that exposed me to both Japanese and international work cultures, and it really gave me a new perspective on how people approach work.
Cultural Differences in Work Styles
One thing I noticed right away was the difference in how my Japanese colleagues and foreign teachers approached work. As the assistant director, I often came in early to get a head start on the day’s tasks. It wasn’t required, but it felt natural…like an unspoken rule.
On the other hand, my foreign colleagues would typically arrive right on time. Some even showed up late without notifying anyone, which was shocking to me at first. From a Japanese perspective, coming to work with time to spare is seen as professional and considerate. I couldn’t help but wonder why they didn’t feel the same way.
