Human Resources Training Programme - Japan Industry Insight

For 25 years now, this unique programme provides an outstanding opportunity to get within a very short time an integrated in-depth view of Japanese industrial structure and business practices.

The Human Resources Training Programme - Japan Industry Insight offers EU executives the unique opportunity to experience and understand both the cultural and economic elements which define and explain Japan's business and technological achievements. Continuously improved to meet the latest expectations about business in Japan, the HRTP provides EU businessmen with a professional Japan-related expertise.

The programme consists of a combination of lectures, joint seminar and company visits and is designed to help participants become thoroughly informed about the actual conditions of Japanese business through practical analysis and research. This involves a better comprehension of the language, economy, history and politics of the country, as well as practical business experiences, which take place in the HRTP. The 4-week course may be extended by an optional 5th week of individual company visits.

• How to succeed in Japan now?
• Do you wish to gain in-depth insight into the Japanese business environment?
• Do you require a better understanding of your Japanese partners or competitors?
• Do you need to learn more about Japanese management practices?
• Are you about to be transferred to Japan?
• Are you considering venturing into the Japanese market?

Participant profile

Eligibility

Selection

Programme objectives

The purpose of the mission in Japan is:
- to acquire a broad understanding of the Japanese society, its culture, and the business environment and practices in Japan;
- to acquire a good knowledge of Japanese-style personal communications, in order to find the ways to doing successful business through a partner relationship;
- to become aware of the decision-making process inside Japanese companies and therefore gain a better understanding of their negotiation style and hierarchy;
- to give the opportunity to reinforce relationships with current Japanese customers and to facilitate contacts with future customers;
- to get a better understanding of Japan and its evolution through its society, history, economy, industry, finance and politics, as well as the legal and practical aspects of doing business in Japan;
- to provide the opportunity for the participant to gather information on the current economical situation and the political developments in Japan.

Programme design and content

The HRTP - Japan Industry Insight includes a study of the Japanese language and culture, lectures on the targeted subjects, joint seminar and company visits, which are essential and compose a unit. It gives the participant a broad understanding of the Japanese mind and the business environment in Japan.

Orientation session
On the first day of the programme in Japan, there will be an orientation session focused on hints for daily life in Japan and an outline of the training programme.

Japanese language and culture courses
Designed to provide participants with survival Japanese phrases for business and daily life, the courses not only enable participants to ask for directions but more importantly also to understand the language structure and its complexity. This leads also to a deeper insight and understanding of the importance of how something is said, depending on many aspects such as age, gender, hierarchical position, situation, etc.
In addition to teaching useful words and expressions in daily life, topics are especially chosen to enable participants to survive in practical situations of self-introduction during business meetings, to order something or to speak on the phone, and so on.

Lectures
The lectures, for a good understanding of the Japanese society, are essential to approach fundamental topics such as Japanese history, the economy, politics and legal matters.
They consist of:
- general lectures on Japan's economic, social, cultural, historical and political background;
- special interest lectures (business practices, marketing, legal aspects of doing business in Japan, etc.).
Lecturers are carefully selected on the basis of their business experience and specialised knowledge.

Joint seminar with Japanese business people
A joint seminar (in small groups) to discuss experiences with Japanese managers includes decision-making, team management and negotiation role-play exercises.
Through this session with Japanese business people, participants study cross-cultural management methods. This provides an enhanced understanding of Japanese business.

Field trips (Sogo Shosha and Regional trip)
A "Sogo Shosha" (general trading companies) visit is designed to understand the gigantic general trading companies, unique to Japan. Participants see what diversified and expanded functions Sogo Shosha have and gain knowledge of their role in the Japanese economy and their strategy for the future.
A regional trip is organised to allow participants to broaden their understanding of how Japan's economy works outside Tokyo. Participants are able to gather information on the structure and the decision process of the community and to acquire some understanding of the real business environment faced by Japanese companies.
A wide range of companies is carefully selected, for instance ranging from a car manufacturer to a traditional "Sake" brewery.

Individual company visits (optional)
During the fifth week participants have the opportunity to carry out individual visits to either Japanese or European-owned firms of direct or potential interest to their work. Support is provided to the participants to enable them to establish a network of contacts in Japan by arranging appointments and interpreters in response to participants' stated requests.

Costs