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Strategies & Market Trends : Asia Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Worswick who wrote (3213)	4/21/1998 8:08:00 PM
From: Stitch	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 9980

Worswick; Many thanks for posting Kristoff's NY Times article. He has captured and reported something I observed in Japan but could not express. The concept of giri-ninjo and the Japanese metaphor of "nurumayu" is fascinating insight into the ethos of the Japanese people which he made all the more human by his delving into the personal stories of the people of Omiyu. To read his story is to feel a dampening of our impatience as western observers. That there is the onset of "abilityism" in the assessment of performance in Japan's business community is startling set against an understanding of this island nation's internal and collective empathy. It is a very difficult concept for outside observers to grasp given Japan Incorporated's ferocity and competitiveness in the world markets. Two big questions remain: Will Japan be able to move quickly enough to avert a global melt down? The article would seem to suggest not. The next question is, in fact, more urgency called for? The collective West seems to think so. But two years ago, there was not the hue and cry we see today. Thats because few saw the coming events in Southeast Asia that have turned up the burners. We live in incredible interesting and dangerous times IMO. Best, Stitch

To: Worswick who wrote (3213)	4/21/1998 8:28:00 PM
From: Michael Sphar	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9980

A nation of herbivore's that practice creative destruction! What concepts! Great article. I see in it a strong similarity that I sense here in the heart of silicon valley. I remember this valley as a a bunch of fruit orchards in my youth. Creative destruction has replaced the apricots, plums and prunes with digital and analog semiconductors and the redwood forests of neighboring hills are now filled with software developers and their companies. Change has been and is a way of life. I remember inefficient little neighborhood business districts in my childhood. Now I shun the malls that my wife adores. Perhaps we should carefully contemplate the impact of abilityism sweeping through Japan and what that portends for the future. A nation of carnivores practicing creative destruction might be something more like swimming with hungry sharks rather than wandering among grazing bovines.