I have a great admiration and respect for the Japanese culture. Although; I don't know much,,,,
1) The listener is responsible and be blamed when there is a mis communication in Japan, whereas in the US it is the speaker's responsibility.
2) Seniority rule like the fraternity in US college.
3) Group responsibility, if you don't take risk you can't be blamed, but if you take risk you don't get individual reward for the risk. Good for job stability if you are permanent employee but bad if you are just a temp (sort of more like tenure than just a job in the US).
4) Apology culture, but that does not mean you will get financial compensation when they apologize to you.
5) Sometimes they polish a turd for too long instead of create new things that significantly improve or fix the root cause.
6) Sometimes it is a sin to even attempt a risk vs reward calculation on a "there is no perfect answer" problem; you are expected to just go down with the ship instead.
7) Your boss is more like your squad leader in military, your older brother, and is also responsible for your personal struggle outside of work. He has a responsibility of your well being regardless of you being at work or not.
I really like buying some of their products, but sometimes they aren't worth it. Had a Japan made Zojirushi kettle that cost 2x a similar Chinese branded model made in China, it still breaks and the replacement part cost probably 1/6 of the whole thing just because they have some brittle plastic that wears out, and they didn't fix the root cause in replacement part. A previous Japan made Panasonic / National had a burst hand pump and a replacement cost more than a much better design Chinese model that has electric pump, and similar build quality, and a better design objectively, that cost about the same. Panasonic / National just withdraw from the market instead of designing a cheaper to build model or make them in China. I think all Japanese TV makers made the same choice.
