Group Japan Report Dahlia Mulyasanti
THE INTERNATIONAL JOINT SEMINAR &
VISIT TO CLEAN AUTHORITY OF TOKYO
(Shin-Koto Incineration Plant)
TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT
Humanizing Collaboration between Indonesia & Japan
Held by
Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies
Tokyo, Japan, 15-19 May 2017
REPORTED BY :
DAHLIA MULYASANTI STUDENT ID. 120820160048
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ASSET’S MANAGEMENT REPORT
Japan is a very mannerly polite country. Therefore, a business or products promoted in Japan had to
follow all of social manners and ethics, otherwise they won’t get any attention from Japan’s customers.
The best way to reach consumers in Japan is building relationships with businesses and other
stakeholders in the country. One great way to do this is through affiliate marketing networks. Building
relationship itself is already complicated, not to mention business relationship. Just like other social
interaction, there are also manners for business relationship in Japan.
Business relationship commonly maintained by various meetings, including meeting in restaurants or
coffee shops. In Japan, split the check between company and client is considered impolite. The company
or seller mannerly pays for their clients. The customer eventually pretend to offering checks payments.
However, they are only doing that for the sake of manners, hence it shouldn't be taken seriously. If the
customer ends up paid the bills, the company may loss the sale or proposal agreements.
Business cards, or "meishi" in Japanese, have great significance to Japanese business culture. It's
important to show another person's meishi respect. Receive it with two hands and look it over carefully.
In a meeting, put the meishi received in front of the table carefully laid out. It's not often observed but
technically a businessman should try to hand his meishi at a lower height to someone with higher status
such as a customer. Alternatively if he/she has higher status it can be a sign of confidence to hand their
meishi at a good height. This is the type of detail that was traditionally noticed in Japanese business
circles but has relaxed in recent years.
Local business people all carry business card cases. Received meishi are carefully placed in the case
after a meeting. When they get back to their desk, they put them in special meishi binders and retain
them for many years. The collection of meishi is considered a professional asset. A huge collection of
meishi can be seen as a status symbol amongst society. Disposal of a meishi should use a paper
shredder.
It is common science that there are so many aspects of assets can explored across Japan. Even a
business cards, or in Japanese called “meishi”, treated as assets. People in Japan receive business cards
from others using both of their hands while honored the card’s owner. They also keep the cards inside a
wallet. This little habit shows that Japanese people put a high respect to assets. They manage to keep,
use, and dispose it properly. There are also no waste assets. They had ability to recycle any kind of
garbage into another useful thing like energy source.
Another popular assets in Japan are cars. Japan is home to several of the world's largest car
companies and it's fair to say that people in Japan are passionate about their cars. In Tokyo, it's common
for families to have a car that they only use on weekends as commuting by train is the norm. Auto
customization is popular as represented by the elaborate cars on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon, a
customization industry event in January. It's common to see some fairly unique cars streaming through
the night streets of Japanese cities, towns and suburbs.
However, even Japanese people had car in their home, they mostly use public transportation. The
public transportation in Japan is very excellent, neatly managed, and they had steady clear routes. Even
a child as small as first grader is not afraid to ride a bus alone. The safety is guaranteed all over the
country since they had police station-box on guard all over every city in Japan. The local police officers
help society solve many problems, including street fighting, car accidents, lost and found, giving
directions to lost people, even taking drunk people home.
Alcohol booze is one of a common drinks in Japan. They called it “sake”. Every region in Japan has
their own traditional sake. This drink habits for sure caused many people drunk, especially after workhours at night. They highly appreciate these boozes, hence it served in every bar in every corner of the
city. Altough Japanese people loved drinking, the crime rates surprisingly low in this country. Even it
doesn’t mean no bad people at all, Japanese people safely back home from work late at night without
any worries.
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The explanation above shows how public system in Japan running continuously perfect. They never
had negative issues about assets management. Even if they had it once, the authorized official will take
full responsibility and announce a resignation. For example, at 2016, there was a blackout in Tokyo. This
blackout hit households, government offices, and railway stations. It caused elevator stopped, traffic
light turned off, and trains in about 11 lines suffered delay. It also affected 580.000 households. Tokyo
Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. said the blackout caused by the fire at a Tepco facility in Niiza,
Saitama. After this incident, CEO of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. announced his
resignation.
From this point of view, it can be acknowledged that Japan succesfully settled their values and
cultures into their assets management implementation. Therefore, they achieved zero failure as a result.
This commitment of values actually the most important factor in assets management. No matter how
advanced the system is, if the people have no integrity and ethics, they will sinking together with the
system’s destruction. Even for the smallest thing, Japanese people take it seriously. They know how to
appreciate others’ masterpiece. These values of honesty, integrity, and respectful manners are the main
components of their assets management.
The values planted inside each individual in Japan and formed their characters. While other
countries just getting started on considered human resources as assets, Japan already started it for like
20 years earlier. Japanese CEO and managers already held the principle that stated “if the employees
happy, their productivities will increase”. It is a common corporate culture in Japan to held routine
activities, such as morning gymnastics, family gathering, field trip, outing, etc. The activities attended by
the whole company, from CEO to staffs. The activities held to increase their pride of the company and
appreciation of their continuously hard work at the company. This kind of activities already proved that
they can increase employees’ pride and motivate them to build the best contribution for the company.
Japan is famous as a country that highly respect disciplinary. For example, even there are limited
amount of trash can across the city, there are no trash littered, even the little ones, like used tissue or
paper. The street are very clean and no damage at street’s plants. They are all green, bloom, and look
fresh. The leaves are not dry, except in summer. The flowers are bloom beautifully.
Another common view of Japan’s streets are the vending machines. They are built in every corner of
the city. Even there are no guards of these vending machines, they all functioned normally. There are no
rascal people who mischievously damage the machines. It can be imagined if vending machines are built
in Indonesia’s streets. It will only need less than a month for those machines to get broken, stolen, or
malfunctioned.
Japan’s concern of disciplinay also seen on their workers’ behaviour. Delivery couriers, installation
staffs, construction workers, police officers, and ordinary office workers, they all can be seen and
differed from their uniforms. Japan carefully equipped their workers with proper uniforms. The workers
orderly wear their uniforms to work, complete with their certain tools needed for the job. For example,
construction workers always equipped with helmet, vest, and utility belt. The worker’s safety always
being a significant priority in Japan.
From the explanation above, it can be seen that Japan’s assets management obviously seem neatly
organized. Even without described the system technically, people receive the result from perfectly
implemented system. The crime rates are low, the economy growth high, people wealthy are stable.
They had pride on the country and significant level of nationalism. Japanese people proudly identify
themselves as part of the nation and differ themselves from other nation.
In relation of business scope, assets management in Japan had different interpretation with asset
management in Indonesia. The term “assets management” in Japan more closely related to investment
term. Asset management business in Japan had grown as an industry sector. Asset management
companies (AMCs) in Japan mainly serve three types of clients, namely retail investors (households),
corporations (including financial institutions), and pension funds. Based on this knowledge, it is
impossible to make explanation in term Japan’s assets management without featuring statistical data,
such as forecast, income, or operating margin in graphics.
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There are probably misunderstanding about Japan’s assets management insight. It is not a term for
physical assets management, just like in Indonesia, where physical assets management divide into two
authorities : for government sector and for private sector. As mentioned above, Japan already
computerized their physical assets management. They only hired people to operate and watch the
system.
Recommendation
1. Japan, as a country, had authority to protect both corporates’ and consumers’ rights by set up
structured policy of law. The protection also firmly established to ease business activities, both for
local and foreign business. The protection nowadays considered important because mostly local
businesses had significant difficulties confronting foreign businesses. This symptoms also common in
Indonesia, eventually put an end to local businesses. Therefore, Indonesia government needs to
adjust the policies and laws in order to protect local businesses.
2. Japan’s assets management already neatly organized as an integrated system. The policies, law, and
people are supported to strengthen the system. They had pride and self-esteem as a nation. The
values of honesty, integrity, and respectful manners are fundamental components that built them
the strongest system. Indonesia urgently need to implement those values. As explained above, even
if the system is excellent, it will be no use in the hand of incompetent people.
3. Discipline is one important behaviour in Japan. Sloppy slow people are considered rude, let alone for
new comers. People in Japan had on-time habits, to the point that they are frustrated if somehow
they disappoint other people because of coming late. This behaviour already known all over the
world, until The President of other countries obediently on time when they meet Japan’s Emperor or
Prime Minister. Indonesia still need significant improvement on disciplinary behaviour on all aspects
of the nation.
4. In Japan, top management take full responsibility and feel ashamed when some problems happen
under his/her leadership. The sense of responsibility is really high to the point that they resigned
because of unbearable shame. Indonesia apparently never had this kind of manner. The government
of Indonesia should seriously start to considering this kind of behaviour applied on all civil servants.
CROSS-CULTURAL ANALYSIS REPORT
A. Differences in Values, Beliefs, and Policies
It is already known for all over the world that Japanese people is one of the most polite people in the
whole world. They are very respectful each other and their respect even more to foreigners who visiting
their country. Japan, as a country, already have their own identity as a nation, which is differ them from
other countries. This identity shown as their distinctive cultures, values, and beliefs.
The values of life already taught for Japanese people since they were children. The lesson become a
policy. Japanese elementary school pupils, from grade 1 to grade 2, are not required to study
theoritically technical lessons, such as mathematics, science, and etc. They are taught to practice the
etiquettes, manners, sports, taking care of cleanliness and hygienes, social studies, traditional arts and
musics, etc. There are no highly intense pressure as they charged those pressure when the students get
older. The result from that kind of education policy can be seen on Japanese people characters.
The Japanese people also known to be very proud of their own cultures and beliefs. This pride lead
to Japan’s cultures and beliefs preservation. Japan had a very high awareness of its own cultures and
beliefs. This awareness also become a policy. The preservation maintained systematically, even for the
basic culture, the languange. Japanese people respectfully embrace their languange to the level lack of
English. Most Japanese people are unable to speak English fluently, even the young people. This pride of
languange eventually force tourists to learn at least Japanese daily conversations, to ease them speaking
at places like markets, convenience stores, subways, ramen shops, etc.
The pride of beliefs can be seen in number of temples and shrines worshipped all over Japan. Even
there are places for other religions, such as churchs and Buddhist temples, they are still praise Japanese
temples and shrines as sanctuary. Thousand of people fulfilled temples and shrines during Japanese
celebration day, such as New Year, Hinamatsuri, Setsubun, Obon, etc. Religious service at temples and
shrines also become attraction sights for tourists and travelers from all over the world.
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Another attraction sights for tourists and travelers are Japanese signature culinary. There are sushi,
ramen, tempura, edamame, okonomiyaki, sukiyaki, fugu fish, teppanyaki, senbei, donburi, hayashi rice,
chawanmushi, etc. They have everything featured culinary, from snacks to main course, from desserts to
noodles. People all over the world even like them very much. It is not difficult to find sushi or ramen
restaurant in Indonesia, however, the taste must be different in Japan.
People in Japan had pride in their signature culinary, just like their nation’s pride. They even stated
certain manners and etiquettes on the dining table. For the usage of chopsticks itself, they even have
ten specific rules. Those rules are described below :
1. People should holds their chopsticks correctly. It is not allowed for people to avoid using chopsticks
during meal time, even when nobody is watching them at home. Foreign people suggested to learn
using chopsticks frequently as they required to get used to it.
2. People are prohibited to eat food directly from shared dishes. They should pick one, place it in their
own plate or bowl, then eat it.
3. There are commonly two types of chopsticks used in Japan. They are ordinary chopsticks and
disposable chopsticks. People who used ordinary chopsticks should place the chopsticks on the
chopsticks holder whenever those are not used during meal time. People who used disposable
chopsticks normally not equipped with chopsticks holder. However, they still have to place their
chopsticks on top of the wrapper. It is prohibited to place chopsticks on top of the rice, as they
resembles a ceremony performed at funerals in Japan.
4. People are not allowed to float over their chopsticks while picking foods. This behaviour is
considered as greedy in Japan.
5. People are not allowed to dig in their bowl or plate looking for anything they want using chopsticks.
6. People are not allowed to lick the end (the tip) of the chopsticks.
7. People are not allowed to share food from chopsticks to other chopsticks. It is proper to ask people
pass their plate first and the food can be placed on their plate using chopsticks. Transfering food
using extra chopsticks provided (the new one) also accepted.
8. People are not allowed to point anything using chopsticks or hold them for a long time without
eating. People also prohibited from rubbing the chopsticks together repeatedly after they break
them apart because it is a sign that they think the chopsticks are cheap.
9. After every meal, people are required to placed their chopsticks on the holder in parallel position.
Chopsticks are never allowed to placed in crossing position because it is reminded people of funeral
ceremonies.
10. People are not allowed to swirl their chopsticks inside a soup bowl.
The rules described above seems very hard to followed. However, Japanese people are typically
grateful people. They highly appreciate other people to the point that they won’t yell rudely in public.
They normally correct other people mistakes properly, without anger or humiliate anyone else in public.
Shortly, there are eight words that describe common culture in Japan, as explained below :
1. Genki, means health, enthusiasm, and energy.
2. Mottainai, means the sense of regret that Japanese people felt whenever they waste something
pointlessly.
3. Ganbatte, means “do your best”.
4. Kawaii, means cute.
5. Otsukare, means “tired” or “fatigue”. In Japan, before come home after work, people normally say
“otsukaresama deshita” to other co-workers and their boss, as well. These words are the best
appreciation for other people hardwork.
6. Shoganai, means “it can’t be helped”. It is an expression from Japanese philosophy of accepting fate.
7. Yoroshiku, is a term normally used when someone new introduced himself/herself to other people.
There are no fixed meaning for this term, as foreign people normally translate it as “please be nice to
me”.
8. Itadakimasu, means “I humbly receive”. People normally using this term before every meal.
The values, manners, and etiquettes applied in Japan formed Japanese people into a well-mannered
society. These factors also differed them from other nation all over the world. Japan always considered
as a very interesting country. They had four seasons, signature culture and culinary, and a very beautiful
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scenery. Japanese people are also polite and really nice to others. Altough their characteristics are
considered quite conservative among other Asia’s nations, the world seeing Japan as one of influential
country.
The conservativeness mostly seen in Japanese fashion, altough it is not fully conservative today.
Nowadays, Japanese fashion divide into two categories, namely traditional fashion and street fashion.
Japan, as a country, have no fear to preserve their own traditional fashion. The result from this policy
can considered extraordinarily amazing. Japan’s traditional fashion nowadays become the iconic culture
of the nation. Shortly, Japanese traditional fashion are explained as follows :
1. Kimono, is formal outfits for men and women in Japan. Kimono consist of silk robes and sashes
arranged into multi-layers outfit. Kimono is suitable for many occasions, such as wedding, graduation
ceremony, tea ceremony, funerals, Ikebana, and Hanami. Sumo wrestlers and geisha also required to
wear kimono as well in public.
2. Hakama, a traditional garment worn over a kimono. Hakama tied around the waist and extend down
to the ankles. It can be formed as pants or as skirts. Hakama can seen as supplementary part of
kimono, however, the use of hakama classified specifically on certain occasions. Hakama mostly
wear by Kyudo (Japanese archery) athletes, Kendo athletes, Aikido athletes, Shinto priests, and
samurai in the old days.
3. Obi, a garment belt formed as wide sashes wrapped around the waist of kimono. Obi is the most
expensive accessory in kimono. There are limitless varieties Obi for women. Obi also classified by its
user, such as Obi for Maiko, for dancer, for single women, and for married women.
4. Yukata, is summer outfits for women in Japan. Yukata shaped looks like kimono, however, it doesn’t
have much layers. Yukata is suitable for casual occasions, such as cherry blossoms viewing, fireworks
show, and Girl’s Day festival (Hinamatsuri).
5. Happi, is a cotton vest used as uniforms for teams in many festivals. Happi is equipped with matching
headband.
6. Furisode, is kimono with extremely long sleeves in the forearm and only worn by adult single
women. They wear furisode to Coming of Age Day ceremonies.
7. Nagajuban, is a layer of robe under the kimono. It is basically functioned as underwear inside a
kimono.
8. Tabi, is a pair of formal socks worn with Japanese sandals, such as geta, zori, and okobo. Tobi shaped
like a toe socks and buckle at the back.
9. Jikatabi, is a pair of boots shaped like tabi socks with separate big toe. They used by outdoor
workers, such as farmers and construction workers.
10. Zori, is a formal sandal in Japan.
11. Geta, is a sandal used as shield that keep the kimono clean by avoiding snow, rain, and dirt.
12. Okobo, is a sandal shaped like wedges shoes, however it seems more difficult to wear because the
heels shaped like boat.
13. Hiyoku, is a term for kimono layers.
14. Uchikake, is a coat for bridal’s kimono.
15. Fundoshi, is a kind of traditional Japanese loincloth using by men.
16. Kanzashi, basically is hair ornaments. It is worn in a complex traditional Japanese hairstyle, just like
the one seen in Maiko (Geisha trainee).
Another popular fashion in Japan is street fashion. Nowadays, the trend grow rapidly. Japanese
women create their own style using references from worldwide and popular figures from manga or
anime. The famous street fashion style in Japan are Sweet Lolita and Gothic Lolita. Sweet Lolita is a
fashion style which is woman dress up like a porcelain doll with frilly dress, ribbon, curl up hair, highheels, and accessories like handbag or umbrella. All of them come in light colors, such as pink, white,
and ivory. Gothic Lolita is similar to Sweet Lolita, however it looks darker and elegant. Gothic Lolita is
fashion style inspired by aristocratic Europe and come in dark colors, such as black, purple, and red.
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B. Acculturation
Acculturation in Japan mostly happened to foreigners live in Japan for some period of time. Even
when those people can’t speak Japanese languange at all, they eventually will become fluent due to
their daily interactions with local people. Japanese outfits, such as kimono and yukata, also quite
attractive that foreigners are willing to wear it whenever necessary or to attend festivals and
celebrations.
Acculturation process for Japanese local people quite less strong, hence it’s not clearly seen in their
daily life. They sure had international brands all over the country, such as Starbucks, McDonalds, and
Nike. However, these brands eventually adapt themselves to local tastes and preferences. This policy
also lead Starbucks to sell sakura drinks, KFC sell rice burger, and etc. Acculturation process in Japan
mostly formed as modernization, the use of machines, cars, and industrialization. Amazingly, all those
modernization living in harmony with Japanese original cultures and beliefs.
Acculturation process also happened to foreign students came from abroad to study in Japan. At
Takushoku University, there are also a few Indonesia students, mostly scholarship grantee. They
accustomed their daily life with Japan habits. They also fluently speaking Japanese and recall all subway
lines. Some of them are cooking food at home because it is not easy to find halal-food in Japan.
Another form of acculturation process can be seen in a few number of Japanese National Holiday.
Japan have 20 National Holiday celebrated every year, eventhough not all of them are day-offs. Some of
them are holidays taken from worldwide, as follows :
1. Halloween
It is not necessarily common, but Japan also celebrate Halloween. They also make kawaii version of
Halloween costumes, make it less spooky and more pretty. In Tokyo, people wear Halloween
costumes and gathering at Shibuya, make the place more popular as the center of street fashion.
2. Christmas
Unlike other countries, Christmas Day in Japan is not a holiday, apparently people don’t have a dayoff. However, Japanese people celebrate Christmas in a romantic way, with Christmas lights, cards,
candies, Christmas trees, and Santa costumes. It is also common for couples to go out on a date on
Christmas.
3. New Year
The similarity between New Year in Japan and other countries is the date. Japanese New Year also
celebrated at January 1. People visit shrine at New Year, the ceremony called “Hatsumode”. They
also wake up early in the January 1 morning and watch the first sunrise as a symbol for a good way
to kick off a succesful year. They eat a signature New Year dish called “Osechi Ryori”.
4. Valentines Day
It is different from Valentines Day all over the world, the men in Japan don’t have to do anything.
They don’t have to buy flowers, gifts, or chocolates. Instead, the women in Japan are the one who
giving chocolates or other sweet treats for their men. The night before Valentines Day, normally
department stores or sweet shops are fulfilled by women who rush to buy presents for their lovers.
Japan had a little acculturation in fashion style. The country remain q uite conservative, even they
are the first one who enter digital era. There is one fashion trend affected from worldwide, however,
this trend caused national controversy in the beginning of 1990 era. The trend is brown hair. In the early
1990s, dying hair considered as extremely rebellious thing to do. The objection from society were
spread out very widely, until many schools expelled their students who dyed their hair brown.
Japanese people naturally born with black hair. The reason of brown-hair controversy is because
Japanese nationalists claimed that youth people should respect their Asian heritage with natural black
hair. However, the brown-hair trend still evolve very fast in Japan. This happened because Japanese
youth people have a few short years of fashion freedom, that is when they are college students in
universities. The university years is the only time they can dress freely.
Japanese people mostly wear dresscode for their whole life. From elementary school until
highschool, they wear uniforms. They can dress freely at university, however, it doesn’t last long. At the
last year of university, students beginning search their first jobs. They have to change back their style
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into more conservative style with business suit, blazer, and white shirt or blouse. Women are required
to wear black skirt in about knee-length and high-heels shoes properly. Women also not suggested to
wear colorful nail polish. They have to remain their black hair naturally. Japan’s corporates normally still
refuse to hired candidates with brown hair.
Another acculturation product that widely acceptable by Japanese people is Tokyo Disneyland.
Everybody in this world love Disney characters. Apparently, Japanese people love them too. Tokyo
Disneyland in Japan is one of the most luxurious theme park all over the world. In the name of Disney, it
built with hundreds of joyrides, shows and parades, Disney Shops, restaurants, cafes, and Disney
Character Greetings. It’s just like every child’s dream. Tokyo Disneyland also accessable online in
www.tokyodisneyresort.jp
As a part of the kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland also provide Disney Hotels. It consist of four hotels,
namely Disney Ambassador Hotel, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel Miracosta, Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, and Tokyo
Disney Celebration Hotel. The interiors and room designs of these hotels are very amazing. They really
are The Wonderful World of Disney. Tokyo Disneyland Hotel even provide a few character rooms. They
are decorated as Tinker Bell, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and The Beast, and Cinderella.
C. World Brands
Japanese people known as the most hard-worker with highest integrity in the whole world. They
highly appreciate knowledge, originality, and work efforts. Therefore, from the iron hands of Japan’s
inventors, the emergence of mostly famous international brands was started. Customers from any
segments of age, genders, educational levels, region, and continent must be familiar with the name
Toyota, Honda, Canon, Sony, Suzuki, Panasonic, Lexus, Subaru, Nintendo, Panasonic, FujiFilm, Fujitsu,
Nikon, Nissan, Epson, and Yamaha. Those brands are globally famous all over the world and get highly
recognized as one of the best products ever invented.
The success of Japan’s world brands are inseparable from the hard-work, creativities, and passion of
the founders. The brand as big as Honda even started from produced bicycle at 1940s. Later, at 1970s
era, they started to produced motorcycle, which was spesifically designed for men. Honda also had
fundamental principle said “Putting the Customer First”. This principle stated because the founder
always looked at things from the customer point of view, hence, he, by all means, became the customer
himself.
Another worldwide success story renowned is Sony Corporation. Established at 1946, Sony is one of
the largest corporation in the world, even comparable with Apple, Inc. The signature products including
Discman (1984), Vaio (1997), and “BRAVIA” LCD TV (2008). The subsidiaries including Sony Music
Entertainment, Inc. (acquired at 1988, originally named CBS Records, Inc.) and Sony Pictures
Entertainment, Inc. (acquired at 1989, originally named Columbia Pictures Entertainment, Inc.). Sony
also the first corporate introduced new industry format for high-density optical disc (known as “DVD”) at
1995.
As participant of World War II, Japan also confronted post-war economic crisis. The war mostly
damaged strategic facilities all over the country, including factories. We all know Panasonic as one of the
most successful brand from Japan, however, they also once suffered from post-war damaged factories.
However, Panasonic leader recovered his employees and fight back until Panasonic become a worlwide
brand nowadays.
Recommendation
1. The values and cultures should be held strongly and implied into government policies. In Indonesia,
values and cultures mostly unwritten and only implied occasionally. The absorption of values and
cultures into children also very weak. The impact can be seen as the children grow up. They are less
respect to elders, spoil, and less responsible. Indonesia should change the educational system, not to
only focus on grade, but also concerned on character development.
2. The Government of Indonesia should set up policies to support local brands. Japan did this, and their
local brands eventually become international brands.
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3. Indonesia should set up disaster management system properly. This policy considered urgent matter
because in case any disaster happen, corporates need government support to carefully back in
business. This policy also prevent many people loss their job after a catasthrope.
4. Indonesia should put systematical protection on cultures, values, and beliefs. The three components
also known as a nation’s identity. For example, when people said “sushi”, their brain automatically
associated it with Japan. That’s because “sushi” is already a signature dish of Japan. Indonesia can
also settle up the policies to encourage nation’s identity more memorable.
5. The decision to accept or to refuse a new culture or trend remain in government’s hand. Altought
there are no negative impacts found from brown hair, Japan’s government and society refused the
trend because it considered an extreme rebellious and a change of nation’s identity. Indonesia
should do this as well, in order to protect nation’s identity.
COMPANY VISIT ANALYSIS REPORT
Shin-Koto Incineration Plant is the largest incineration plant in Tokyo. The company had less than 100
employees to operate the incinerator units. This efficiency in human resources settlement implies that the
asset management information system already running properly, with a very little probability of errors. The
hard-working mindset of Japanese people also very helpful in develop the system. It is also common workethics in Japan, that even for a small mistake, the top-management, including directors and CEO, bow down
to take responsibility.
The direct supervision using top-bottom approach, as mentioned above, effectively reduce the errors
because the top management always completely monitoring and evaluating every single activities in each
process. This work behaviour, beside affected by work-ethics & conducts, also influenced by Japanese
employees characterictics themselves, whose are very responsible with their jobs. New employees
normally held their own responsibilities at work and their seniors are not going to help them in any case of
problems. This practice encourage new employees to develop working system on their own and held
responsibilities in accordance with their job desc. Japan point of view itself saw the employees as part of
assets as they highly appreciated hard efforts at work. Mostly Japan employees back home at 20:00 or the
latest at 23:00. This habit also seen as hard efforts since their seniors appreciate the hard work, the
employees are trusted to held more responsibilities.
The asset management information system not only running by employee hard-efforts, but also the
properly maintenance of the assets itself. As we all know, corporate business process in Japan already 100%
automatized. The automatisation also applied in Shin-Koto Incineration Plant. The continuously combustible
waste process needs such various assets, as follows :
1. Waste Truck Scale : measures the weight of waste.
2. Platform : waste collection vehicles dump waste into the bunker.
3. Waste Bunker : waste is temporarily stored here until incineration.
4. Waste Crane : waste is mixed, leveled, and sent to the incinerator.
5. Forced Draft Fan : air is sent from the waste bunker to the incinerator.
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6. Incinerator : burns waste at a high temperature of over 800 C (1.472 F).
7. Boiler : produces steam from heat generated when waste is burned, to be used for heat supply and
electric power generation.
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8. Cooling Tower : cools high-temperature exhaust emitted from the incinerator to around 150 C (320 F)
for preventing the re-compositions of dioxins.
9. Bag Filter : removes soot and dust, dioxins, mercury, hydrogen chlorides, and sulfur oxides from
exhaust.
10. Gas Scrubber : exhaust is cleaned with water and chemicals, for removing mercury, hydrogen chlorides,
and sulfur oxides.
11. Catalyst Reaction Tower : decomposes dioxins and nitrogen oxides in exhaust using catalysts.
12. Induced Draft Fan : exhaust is sent to the stack.
13. Stack : exhaust that is free of hazardous substances or odor is released into the air.
14. Wastewater Treatment Facilities : solids and heavy metals in wastewater produced from the
incineration plant are removed to the limit or below, before wastewater is released into the sewer.
To assure the incineration process working properly, Shin-Koto Incineration Plant also equipped with a
control room ruled by 9 employees. They are working by turns in two shifts, at 08:00-15:30 and at 16:00-
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08:00. The control room can monitor the whole process of incineration. This policy allowed immediate
actions whenever sudden problem arise, such as fire, explosion, crane damages, etc.
Corporates like Shin-Koto Incineration Plant commonly depends on their assets to running the whole
operational process. Based on observation at company visit, it clearly seen that the asset management
information system already running properly, as they never waste any substantial materials, such as
electricity and water. The awareness of energy conservation is already applied as lifestyle since energy itself
considered as assets as well.
Recommendation
1. Assets management should be held by secure information system and urgently need separation of
duties.
2. Indonesia should make sure that assets management information system running properly by hired
professional employees based on their competences. This policy also should eliminate promotion policy
based on only personal closeness with top management.
3. Employees nowadays considered as assets, therefore they called “human resources”. More appreciation
and encouragement must be presented to accomplished employees. The appreciation is very important
to increase employee self-esteem and encourage better performance.
4. Implementation of assets management system urgently need education of values, manners, and ethics.
These components clearly seen in Japan and drive their succesful system. People should work, not only
using their brains, but also using their manners. The achievement will come thereafter, eventually.
APPENDIXES
10
JAPAN’S VIEW ON SCREEN
Akihabara
Asakusa
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Tsukiji Fish Market
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13
Tokyo Sky Tree Tower
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15
VISIT TO CLEAN AUTHORITY OF TOKYO
(Shin-Koto Incineration Plant)
TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT
Humanizing Collaboration between Indonesia & Japan
Held by
Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies
Tokyo, Japan, 15-19 May 2017
REPORTED BY :
DAHLIA MULYASANTI STUDENT ID. 120820160048
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ASSET’S MANAGEMENT REPORT
Japan is a very mannerly polite country. Therefore, a business or products promoted in Japan had to
follow all of social manners and ethics, otherwise they won’t get any attention from Japan’s customers.
The best way to reach consumers in Japan is building relationships with businesses and other
stakeholders in the country. One great way to do this is through affiliate marketing networks. Building
relationship itself is already complicated, not to mention business relationship. Just like other social
interaction, there are also manners for business relationship in Japan.
Business relationship commonly maintained by various meetings, including meeting in restaurants or
coffee shops. In Japan, split the check between company and client is considered impolite. The company
or seller mannerly pays for their clients. The customer eventually pretend to offering checks payments.
However, they are only doing that for the sake of manners, hence it shouldn't be taken seriously. If the
customer ends up paid the bills, the company may loss the sale or proposal agreements.
Business cards, or "meishi" in Japanese, have great significance to Japanese business culture. It's
important to show another person's meishi respect. Receive it with two hands and look it over carefully.
In a meeting, put the meishi received in front of the table carefully laid out. It's not often observed but
technically a businessman should try to hand his meishi at a lower height to someone with higher status
such as a customer. Alternatively if he/she has higher status it can be a sign of confidence to hand their
meishi at a good height. This is the type of detail that was traditionally noticed in Japanese business
circles but has relaxed in recent years.
Local business people all carry business card cases. Received meishi are carefully placed in the case
after a meeting. When they get back to their desk, they put them in special meishi binders and retain
them for many years. The collection of meishi is considered a professional asset. A huge collection of
meishi can be seen as a status symbol amongst society. Disposal of a meishi should use a paper
shredder.
It is common science that there are so many aspects of assets can explored across Japan. Even a
business cards, or in Japanese called “meishi”, treated as assets. People in Japan receive business cards
from others using both of their hands while honored the card’s owner. They also keep the cards inside a
wallet. This little habit shows that Japanese people put a high respect to assets. They manage to keep,
use, and dispose it properly. There are also no waste assets. They had ability to recycle any kind of
garbage into another useful thing like energy source.
Another popular assets in Japan are cars. Japan is home to several of the world's largest car
companies and it's fair to say that people in Japan are passionate about their cars. In Tokyo, it's common
for families to have a car that they only use on weekends as commuting by train is the norm. Auto
customization is popular as represented by the elaborate cars on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon, a
customization industry event in January. It's common to see some fairly unique cars streaming through
the night streets of Japanese cities, towns and suburbs.
However, even Japanese people had car in their home, they mostly use public transportation. The
public transportation in Japan is very excellent, neatly managed, and they had steady clear routes. Even
a child as small as first grader is not afraid to ride a bus alone. The safety is guaranteed all over the
country since they had police station-box on guard all over every city in Japan. The local police officers
help society solve many problems, including street fighting, car accidents, lost and found, giving
directions to lost people, even taking drunk people home.
Alcohol booze is one of a common drinks in Japan. They called it “sake”. Every region in Japan has
their own traditional sake. This drink habits for sure caused many people drunk, especially after workhours at night. They highly appreciate these boozes, hence it served in every bar in every corner of the
city. Altough Japanese people loved drinking, the crime rates surprisingly low in this country. Even it
doesn’t mean no bad people at all, Japanese people safely back home from work late at night without
any worries.
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The explanation above shows how public system in Japan running continuously perfect. They never
had negative issues about assets management. Even if they had it once, the authorized official will take
full responsibility and announce a resignation. For example, at 2016, there was a blackout in Tokyo. This
blackout hit households, government offices, and railway stations. It caused elevator stopped, traffic
light turned off, and trains in about 11 lines suffered delay. It also affected 580.000 households. Tokyo
Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. said the blackout caused by the fire at a Tepco facility in Niiza,
Saitama. After this incident, CEO of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. announced his
resignation.
From this point of view, it can be acknowledged that Japan succesfully settled their values and
cultures into their assets management implementation. Therefore, they achieved zero failure as a result.
This commitment of values actually the most important factor in assets management. No matter how
advanced the system is, if the people have no integrity and ethics, they will sinking together with the
system’s destruction. Even for the smallest thing, Japanese people take it seriously. They know how to
appreciate others’ masterpiece. These values of honesty, integrity, and respectful manners are the main
components of their assets management.
The values planted inside each individual in Japan and formed their characters. While other
countries just getting started on considered human resources as assets, Japan already started it for like
20 years earlier. Japanese CEO and managers already held the principle that stated “if the employees
happy, their productivities will increase”. It is a common corporate culture in Japan to held routine
activities, such as morning gymnastics, family gathering, field trip, outing, etc. The activities attended by
the whole company, from CEO to staffs. The activities held to increase their pride of the company and
appreciation of their continuously hard work at the company. This kind of activities already proved that
they can increase employees’ pride and motivate them to build the best contribution for the company.
Japan is famous as a country that highly respect disciplinary. For example, even there are limited
amount of trash can across the city, there are no trash littered, even the little ones, like used tissue or
paper. The street are very clean and no damage at street’s plants. They are all green, bloom, and look
fresh. The leaves are not dry, except in summer. The flowers are bloom beautifully.
Another common view of Japan’s streets are the vending machines. They are built in every corner of
the city. Even there are no guards of these vending machines, they all functioned normally. There are no
rascal people who mischievously damage the machines. It can be imagined if vending machines are built
in Indonesia’s streets. It will only need less than a month for those machines to get broken, stolen, or
malfunctioned.
Japan’s concern of disciplinay also seen on their workers’ behaviour. Delivery couriers, installation
staffs, construction workers, police officers, and ordinary office workers, they all can be seen and
differed from their uniforms. Japan carefully equipped their workers with proper uniforms. The workers
orderly wear their uniforms to work, complete with their certain tools needed for the job. For example,
construction workers always equipped with helmet, vest, and utility belt. The worker’s safety always
being a significant priority in Japan.
From the explanation above, it can be seen that Japan’s assets management obviously seem neatly
organized. Even without described the system technically, people receive the result from perfectly
implemented system. The crime rates are low, the economy growth high, people wealthy are stable.
They had pride on the country and significant level of nationalism. Japanese people proudly identify
themselves as part of the nation and differ themselves from other nation.
In relation of business scope, assets management in Japan had different interpretation with asset
management in Indonesia. The term “assets management” in Japan more closely related to investment
term. Asset management business in Japan had grown as an industry sector. Asset management
companies (AMCs) in Japan mainly serve three types of clients, namely retail investors (households),
corporations (including financial institutions), and pension funds. Based on this knowledge, it is
impossible to make explanation in term Japan’s assets management without featuring statistical data,
such as forecast, income, or operating margin in graphics.
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There are probably misunderstanding about Japan’s assets management insight. It is not a term for
physical assets management, just like in Indonesia, where physical assets management divide into two
authorities : for government sector and for private sector. As mentioned above, Japan already
computerized their physical assets management. They only hired people to operate and watch the
system.
Recommendation
1. Japan, as a country, had authority to protect both corporates’ and consumers’ rights by set up
structured policy of law. The protection also firmly established to ease business activities, both for
local and foreign business. The protection nowadays considered important because mostly local
businesses had significant difficulties confronting foreign businesses. This symptoms also common in
Indonesia, eventually put an end to local businesses. Therefore, Indonesia government needs to
adjust the policies and laws in order to protect local businesses.
2. Japan’s assets management already neatly organized as an integrated system. The policies, law, and
people are supported to strengthen the system. They had pride and self-esteem as a nation. The
values of honesty, integrity, and respectful manners are fundamental components that built them
the strongest system. Indonesia urgently need to implement those values. As explained above, even
if the system is excellent, it will be no use in the hand of incompetent people.
3. Discipline is one important behaviour in Japan. Sloppy slow people are considered rude, let alone for
new comers. People in Japan had on-time habits, to the point that they are frustrated if somehow
they disappoint other people because of coming late. This behaviour already known all over the
world, until The President of other countries obediently on time when they meet Japan’s Emperor or
Prime Minister. Indonesia still need significant improvement on disciplinary behaviour on all aspects
of the nation.
4. In Japan, top management take full responsibility and feel ashamed when some problems happen
under his/her leadership. The sense of responsibility is really high to the point that they resigned
because of unbearable shame. Indonesia apparently never had this kind of manner. The government
of Indonesia should seriously start to considering this kind of behaviour applied on all civil servants.
CROSS-CULTURAL ANALYSIS REPORT
A. Differences in Values, Beliefs, and Policies
It is already known for all over the world that Japanese people is one of the most polite people in the
whole world. They are very respectful each other and their respect even more to foreigners who visiting
their country. Japan, as a country, already have their own identity as a nation, which is differ them from
other countries. This identity shown as their distinctive cultures, values, and beliefs.
The values of life already taught for Japanese people since they were children. The lesson become a
policy. Japanese elementary school pupils, from grade 1 to grade 2, are not required to study
theoritically technical lessons, such as mathematics, science, and etc. They are taught to practice the
etiquettes, manners, sports, taking care of cleanliness and hygienes, social studies, traditional arts and
musics, etc. There are no highly intense pressure as they charged those pressure when the students get
older. The result from that kind of education policy can be seen on Japanese people characters.
The Japanese people also known to be very proud of their own cultures and beliefs. This pride lead
to Japan’s cultures and beliefs preservation. Japan had a very high awareness of its own cultures and
beliefs. This awareness also become a policy. The preservation maintained systematically, even for the
basic culture, the languange. Japanese people respectfully embrace their languange to the level lack of
English. Most Japanese people are unable to speak English fluently, even the young people. This pride of
languange eventually force tourists to learn at least Japanese daily conversations, to ease them speaking
at places like markets, convenience stores, subways, ramen shops, etc.
The pride of beliefs can be seen in number of temples and shrines worshipped all over Japan. Even
there are places for other religions, such as churchs and Buddhist temples, they are still praise Japanese
temples and shrines as sanctuary. Thousand of people fulfilled temples and shrines during Japanese
celebration day, such as New Year, Hinamatsuri, Setsubun, Obon, etc. Religious service at temples and
shrines also become attraction sights for tourists and travelers from all over the world.
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Another attraction sights for tourists and travelers are Japanese signature culinary. There are sushi,
ramen, tempura, edamame, okonomiyaki, sukiyaki, fugu fish, teppanyaki, senbei, donburi, hayashi rice,
chawanmushi, etc. They have everything featured culinary, from snacks to main course, from desserts to
noodles. People all over the world even like them very much. It is not difficult to find sushi or ramen
restaurant in Indonesia, however, the taste must be different in Japan.
People in Japan had pride in their signature culinary, just like their nation’s pride. They even stated
certain manners and etiquettes on the dining table. For the usage of chopsticks itself, they even have
ten specific rules. Those rules are described below :
1. People should holds their chopsticks correctly. It is not allowed for people to avoid using chopsticks
during meal time, even when nobody is watching them at home. Foreign people suggested to learn
using chopsticks frequently as they required to get used to it.
2. People are prohibited to eat food directly from shared dishes. They should pick one, place it in their
own plate or bowl, then eat it.
3. There are commonly two types of chopsticks used in Japan. They are ordinary chopsticks and
disposable chopsticks. People who used ordinary chopsticks should place the chopsticks on the
chopsticks holder whenever those are not used during meal time. People who used disposable
chopsticks normally not equipped with chopsticks holder. However, they still have to place their
chopsticks on top of the wrapper. It is prohibited to place chopsticks on top of the rice, as they
resembles a ceremony performed at funerals in Japan.
4. People are not allowed to float over their chopsticks while picking foods. This behaviour is
considered as greedy in Japan.
5. People are not allowed to dig in their bowl or plate looking for anything they want using chopsticks.
6. People are not allowed to lick the end (the tip) of the chopsticks.
7. People are not allowed to share food from chopsticks to other chopsticks. It is proper to ask people
pass their plate first and the food can be placed on their plate using chopsticks. Transfering food
using extra chopsticks provided (the new one) also accepted.
8. People are not allowed to point anything using chopsticks or hold them for a long time without
eating. People also prohibited from rubbing the chopsticks together repeatedly after they break
them apart because it is a sign that they think the chopsticks are cheap.
9. After every meal, people are required to placed their chopsticks on the holder in parallel position.
Chopsticks are never allowed to placed in crossing position because it is reminded people of funeral
ceremonies.
10. People are not allowed to swirl their chopsticks inside a soup bowl.
The rules described above seems very hard to followed. However, Japanese people are typically
grateful people. They highly appreciate other people to the point that they won’t yell rudely in public.
They normally correct other people mistakes properly, without anger or humiliate anyone else in public.
Shortly, there are eight words that describe common culture in Japan, as explained below :
1. Genki, means health, enthusiasm, and energy.
2. Mottainai, means the sense of regret that Japanese people felt whenever they waste something
pointlessly.
3. Ganbatte, means “do your best”.
4. Kawaii, means cute.
5. Otsukare, means “tired” or “fatigue”. In Japan, before come home after work, people normally say
“otsukaresama deshita” to other co-workers and their boss, as well. These words are the best
appreciation for other people hardwork.
6. Shoganai, means “it can’t be helped”. It is an expression from Japanese philosophy of accepting fate.
7. Yoroshiku, is a term normally used when someone new introduced himself/herself to other people.
There are no fixed meaning for this term, as foreign people normally translate it as “please be nice to
me”.
8. Itadakimasu, means “I humbly receive”. People normally using this term before every meal.
The values, manners, and etiquettes applied in Japan formed Japanese people into a well-mannered
society. These factors also differed them from other nation all over the world. Japan always considered
as a very interesting country. They had four seasons, signature culture and culinary, and a very beautiful
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scenery. Japanese people are also polite and really nice to others. Altough their characteristics are
considered quite conservative among other Asia’s nations, the world seeing Japan as one of influential
country.
The conservativeness mostly seen in Japanese fashion, altough it is not fully conservative today.
Nowadays, Japanese fashion divide into two categories, namely traditional fashion and street fashion.
Japan, as a country, have no fear to preserve their own traditional fashion. The result from this policy
can considered extraordinarily amazing. Japan’s traditional fashion nowadays become the iconic culture
of the nation. Shortly, Japanese traditional fashion are explained as follows :
1. Kimono, is formal outfits for men and women in Japan. Kimono consist of silk robes and sashes
arranged into multi-layers outfit. Kimono is suitable for many occasions, such as wedding, graduation
ceremony, tea ceremony, funerals, Ikebana, and Hanami. Sumo wrestlers and geisha also required to
wear kimono as well in public.
2. Hakama, a traditional garment worn over a kimono. Hakama tied around the waist and extend down
to the ankles. It can be formed as pants or as skirts. Hakama can seen as supplementary part of
kimono, however, the use of hakama classified specifically on certain occasions. Hakama mostly
wear by Kyudo (Japanese archery) athletes, Kendo athletes, Aikido athletes, Shinto priests, and
samurai in the old days.
3. Obi, a garment belt formed as wide sashes wrapped around the waist of kimono. Obi is the most
expensive accessory in kimono. There are limitless varieties Obi for women. Obi also classified by its
user, such as Obi for Maiko, for dancer, for single women, and for married women.
4. Yukata, is summer outfits for women in Japan. Yukata shaped looks like kimono, however, it doesn’t
have much layers. Yukata is suitable for casual occasions, such as cherry blossoms viewing, fireworks
show, and Girl’s Day festival (Hinamatsuri).
5. Happi, is a cotton vest used as uniforms for teams in many festivals. Happi is equipped with matching
headband.
6. Furisode, is kimono with extremely long sleeves in the forearm and only worn by adult single
women. They wear furisode to Coming of Age Day ceremonies.
7. Nagajuban, is a layer of robe under the kimono. It is basically functioned as underwear inside a
kimono.
8. Tabi, is a pair of formal socks worn with Japanese sandals, such as geta, zori, and okobo. Tobi shaped
like a toe socks and buckle at the back.
9. Jikatabi, is a pair of boots shaped like tabi socks with separate big toe. They used by outdoor
workers, such as farmers and construction workers.
10. Zori, is a formal sandal in Japan.
11. Geta, is a sandal used as shield that keep the kimono clean by avoiding snow, rain, and dirt.
12. Okobo, is a sandal shaped like wedges shoes, however it seems more difficult to wear because the
heels shaped like boat.
13. Hiyoku, is a term for kimono layers.
14. Uchikake, is a coat for bridal’s kimono.
15. Fundoshi, is a kind of traditional Japanese loincloth using by men.
16. Kanzashi, basically is hair ornaments. It is worn in a complex traditional Japanese hairstyle, just like
the one seen in Maiko (Geisha trainee).
Another popular fashion in Japan is street fashion. Nowadays, the trend grow rapidly. Japanese
women create their own style using references from worldwide and popular figures from manga or
anime. The famous street fashion style in Japan are Sweet Lolita and Gothic Lolita. Sweet Lolita is a
fashion style which is woman dress up like a porcelain doll with frilly dress, ribbon, curl up hair, highheels, and accessories like handbag or umbrella. All of them come in light colors, such as pink, white,
and ivory. Gothic Lolita is similar to Sweet Lolita, however it looks darker and elegant. Gothic Lolita is
fashion style inspired by aristocratic Europe and come in dark colors, such as black, purple, and red.
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B. Acculturation
Acculturation in Japan mostly happened to foreigners live in Japan for some period of time. Even
when those people can’t speak Japanese languange at all, they eventually will become fluent due to
their daily interactions with local people. Japanese outfits, such as kimono and yukata, also quite
attractive that foreigners are willing to wear it whenever necessary or to attend festivals and
celebrations.
Acculturation process for Japanese local people quite less strong, hence it’s not clearly seen in their
daily life. They sure had international brands all over the country, such as Starbucks, McDonalds, and
Nike. However, these brands eventually adapt themselves to local tastes and preferences. This policy
also lead Starbucks to sell sakura drinks, KFC sell rice burger, and etc. Acculturation process in Japan
mostly formed as modernization, the use of machines, cars, and industrialization. Amazingly, all those
modernization living in harmony with Japanese original cultures and beliefs.
Acculturation process also happened to foreign students came from abroad to study in Japan. At
Takushoku University, there are also a few Indonesia students, mostly scholarship grantee. They
accustomed their daily life with Japan habits. They also fluently speaking Japanese and recall all subway
lines. Some of them are cooking food at home because it is not easy to find halal-food in Japan.
Another form of acculturation process can be seen in a few number of Japanese National Holiday.
Japan have 20 National Holiday celebrated every year, eventhough not all of them are day-offs. Some of
them are holidays taken from worldwide, as follows :
1. Halloween
It is not necessarily common, but Japan also celebrate Halloween. They also make kawaii version of
Halloween costumes, make it less spooky and more pretty. In Tokyo, people wear Halloween
costumes and gathering at Shibuya, make the place more popular as the center of street fashion.
2. Christmas
Unlike other countries, Christmas Day in Japan is not a holiday, apparently people don’t have a dayoff. However, Japanese people celebrate Christmas in a romantic way, with Christmas lights, cards,
candies, Christmas trees, and Santa costumes. It is also common for couples to go out on a date on
Christmas.
3. New Year
The similarity between New Year in Japan and other countries is the date. Japanese New Year also
celebrated at January 1. People visit shrine at New Year, the ceremony called “Hatsumode”. They
also wake up early in the January 1 morning and watch the first sunrise as a symbol for a good way
to kick off a succesful year. They eat a signature New Year dish called “Osechi Ryori”.
4. Valentines Day
It is different from Valentines Day all over the world, the men in Japan don’t have to do anything.
They don’t have to buy flowers, gifts, or chocolates. Instead, the women in Japan are the one who
giving chocolates or other sweet treats for their men. The night before Valentines Day, normally
department stores or sweet shops are fulfilled by women who rush to buy presents for their lovers.
Japan had a little acculturation in fashion style. The country remain q uite conservative, even they
are the first one who enter digital era. There is one fashion trend affected from worldwide, however,
this trend caused national controversy in the beginning of 1990 era. The trend is brown hair. In the early
1990s, dying hair considered as extremely rebellious thing to do. The objection from society were
spread out very widely, until many schools expelled their students who dyed their hair brown.
Japanese people naturally born with black hair. The reason of brown-hair controversy is because
Japanese nationalists claimed that youth people should respect their Asian heritage with natural black
hair. However, the brown-hair trend still evolve very fast in Japan. This happened because Japanese
youth people have a few short years of fashion freedom, that is when they are college students in
universities. The university years is the only time they can dress freely.
Japanese people mostly wear dresscode for their whole life. From elementary school until
highschool, they wear uniforms. They can dress freely at university, however, it doesn’t last long. At the
last year of university, students beginning search their first jobs. They have to change back their style
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into more conservative style with business suit, blazer, and white shirt or blouse. Women are required
to wear black skirt in about knee-length and high-heels shoes properly. Women also not suggested to
wear colorful nail polish. They have to remain their black hair naturally. Japan’s corporates normally still
refuse to hired candidates with brown hair.
Another acculturation product that widely acceptable by Japanese people is Tokyo Disneyland.
Everybody in this world love Disney characters. Apparently, Japanese people love them too. Tokyo
Disneyland in Japan is one of the most luxurious theme park all over the world. In the name of Disney, it
built with hundreds of joyrides, shows and parades, Disney Shops, restaurants, cafes, and Disney
Character Greetings. It’s just like every child’s dream. Tokyo Disneyland also accessable online in
www.tokyodisneyresort.jp
As a part of the kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland also provide Disney Hotels. It consist of four hotels,
namely Disney Ambassador Hotel, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel Miracosta, Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, and Tokyo
Disney Celebration Hotel. The interiors and room designs of these hotels are very amazing. They really
are The Wonderful World of Disney. Tokyo Disneyland Hotel even provide a few character rooms. They
are decorated as Tinker Bell, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and The Beast, and Cinderella.
C. World Brands
Japanese people known as the most hard-worker with highest integrity in the whole world. They
highly appreciate knowledge, originality, and work efforts. Therefore, from the iron hands of Japan’s
inventors, the emergence of mostly famous international brands was started. Customers from any
segments of age, genders, educational levels, region, and continent must be familiar with the name
Toyota, Honda, Canon, Sony, Suzuki, Panasonic, Lexus, Subaru, Nintendo, Panasonic, FujiFilm, Fujitsu,
Nikon, Nissan, Epson, and Yamaha. Those brands are globally famous all over the world and get highly
recognized as one of the best products ever invented.
The success of Japan’s world brands are inseparable from the hard-work, creativities, and passion of
the founders. The brand as big as Honda even started from produced bicycle at 1940s. Later, at 1970s
era, they started to produced motorcycle, which was spesifically designed for men. Honda also had
fundamental principle said “Putting the Customer First”. This principle stated because the founder
always looked at things from the customer point of view, hence, he, by all means, became the customer
himself.
Another worldwide success story renowned is Sony Corporation. Established at 1946, Sony is one of
the largest corporation in the world, even comparable with Apple, Inc. The signature products including
Discman (1984), Vaio (1997), and “BRAVIA” LCD TV (2008). The subsidiaries including Sony Music
Entertainment, Inc. (acquired at 1988, originally named CBS Records, Inc.) and Sony Pictures
Entertainment, Inc. (acquired at 1989, originally named Columbia Pictures Entertainment, Inc.). Sony
also the first corporate introduced new industry format for high-density optical disc (known as “DVD”) at
1995.
As participant of World War II, Japan also confronted post-war economic crisis. The war mostly
damaged strategic facilities all over the country, including factories. We all know Panasonic as one of the
most successful brand from Japan, however, they also once suffered from post-war damaged factories.
However, Panasonic leader recovered his employees and fight back until Panasonic become a worlwide
brand nowadays.
Recommendation
1. The values and cultures should be held strongly and implied into government policies. In Indonesia,
values and cultures mostly unwritten and only implied occasionally. The absorption of values and
cultures into children also very weak. The impact can be seen as the children grow up. They are less
respect to elders, spoil, and less responsible. Indonesia should change the educational system, not to
only focus on grade, but also concerned on character development.
2. The Government of Indonesia should set up policies to support local brands. Japan did this, and their
local brands eventually become international brands.
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3. Indonesia should set up disaster management system properly. This policy considered urgent matter
because in case any disaster happen, corporates need government support to carefully back in
business. This policy also prevent many people loss their job after a catasthrope.
4. Indonesia should put systematical protection on cultures, values, and beliefs. The three components
also known as a nation’s identity. For example, when people said “sushi”, their brain automatically
associated it with Japan. That’s because “sushi” is already a signature dish of Japan. Indonesia can
also settle up the policies to encourage nation’s identity more memorable.
5. The decision to accept or to refuse a new culture or trend remain in government’s hand. Altought
there are no negative impacts found from brown hair, Japan’s government and society refused the
trend because it considered an extreme rebellious and a change of nation’s identity. Indonesia
should do this as well, in order to protect nation’s identity.
COMPANY VISIT ANALYSIS REPORT
Shin-Koto Incineration Plant is the largest incineration plant in Tokyo. The company had less than 100
employees to operate the incinerator units. This efficiency in human resources settlement implies that the
asset management information system already running properly, with a very little probability of errors. The
hard-working mindset of Japanese people also very helpful in develop the system. It is also common workethics in Japan, that even for a small mistake, the top-management, including directors and CEO, bow down
to take responsibility.
The direct supervision using top-bottom approach, as mentioned above, effectively reduce the errors
because the top management always completely monitoring and evaluating every single activities in each
process. This work behaviour, beside affected by work-ethics & conducts, also influenced by Japanese
employees characterictics themselves, whose are very responsible with their jobs. New employees
normally held their own responsibilities at work and their seniors are not going to help them in any case of
problems. This practice encourage new employees to develop working system on their own and held
responsibilities in accordance with their job desc. Japan point of view itself saw the employees as part of
assets as they highly appreciated hard efforts at work. Mostly Japan employees back home at 20:00 or the
latest at 23:00. This habit also seen as hard efforts since their seniors appreciate the hard work, the
employees are trusted to held more responsibilities.
The asset management information system not only running by employee hard-efforts, but also the
properly maintenance of the assets itself. As we all know, corporate business process in Japan already 100%
automatized. The automatisation also applied in Shin-Koto Incineration Plant. The continuously combustible
waste process needs such various assets, as follows :
1. Waste Truck Scale : measures the weight of waste.
2. Platform : waste collection vehicles dump waste into the bunker.
3. Waste Bunker : waste is temporarily stored here until incineration.
4. Waste Crane : waste is mixed, leveled, and sent to the incinerator.
5. Forced Draft Fan : air is sent from the waste bunker to the incinerator.
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6. Incinerator : burns waste at a high temperature of over 800 C (1.472 F).
7. Boiler : produces steam from heat generated when waste is burned, to be used for heat supply and
electric power generation.
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8. Cooling Tower : cools high-temperature exhaust emitted from the incinerator to around 150 C (320 F)
for preventing the re-compositions of dioxins.
9. Bag Filter : removes soot and dust, dioxins, mercury, hydrogen chlorides, and sulfur oxides from
exhaust.
10. Gas Scrubber : exhaust is cleaned with water and chemicals, for removing mercury, hydrogen chlorides,
and sulfur oxides.
11. Catalyst Reaction Tower : decomposes dioxins and nitrogen oxides in exhaust using catalysts.
12. Induced Draft Fan : exhaust is sent to the stack.
13. Stack : exhaust that is free of hazardous substances or odor is released into the air.
14. Wastewater Treatment Facilities : solids and heavy metals in wastewater produced from the
incineration plant are removed to the limit or below, before wastewater is released into the sewer.
To assure the incineration process working properly, Shin-Koto Incineration Plant also equipped with a
control room ruled by 9 employees. They are working by turns in two shifts, at 08:00-15:30 and at 16:00-
9
08:00. The control room can monitor the whole process of incineration. This policy allowed immediate
actions whenever sudden problem arise, such as fire, explosion, crane damages, etc.
Corporates like Shin-Koto Incineration Plant commonly depends on their assets to running the whole
operational process. Based on observation at company visit, it clearly seen that the asset management
information system already running properly, as they never waste any substantial materials, such as
electricity and water. The awareness of energy conservation is already applied as lifestyle since energy itself
considered as assets as well.
Recommendation
1. Assets management should be held by secure information system and urgently need separation of
duties.
2. Indonesia should make sure that assets management information system running properly by hired
professional employees based on their competences. This policy also should eliminate promotion policy
based on only personal closeness with top management.
3. Employees nowadays considered as assets, therefore they called “human resources”. More appreciation
and encouragement must be presented to accomplished employees. The appreciation is very important
to increase employee self-esteem and encourage better performance.
4. Implementation of assets management system urgently need education of values, manners, and ethics.
These components clearly seen in Japan and drive their succesful system. People should work, not only
using their brains, but also using their manners. The achievement will come thereafter, eventually.
APPENDIXES
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JAPAN’S VIEW ON SCREEN
Akihabara
Asakusa
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Tsukiji Fish Market
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13
Tokyo Sky Tree Tower
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