¿Por qué JAPÓN no tiene EMPRENDEDORES? - Pero ¿cómo se nacieron empresas tan grandes y reconocidas?

Summary

Japan is home to globally recognized companies like Toyota and Sony, but the country faces low levels of entrepreneurship. Culturally, Japanese people prioritize job security over risk-taking, making it difficult to foster a startup culture. Despite a strong work ethic and education system, Japan struggles with a lack of confidence and opportunity recognition among its population. Historically, large conglomerates like Mitsubishi were formed under government incentives, and today, the government is working to promote entrepreneurship, especially by encouraging foreign entrepreneurs. However, language barriers and bureaucratic challenges remain. The future of entrepreneurship in Japan may depend on the influence of immigrants.

Takeaways

• 😀 Japanese companies like Toyota, Sony, and Mitsubishi are known for their quality and longevity, with some companies having been around for over 1000 years.
• 😀 Despite the presence of these iconic companies, Japan has low entrepreneurship rates, with only 3.3% of the population engaging in entrepreneurship.
• 😀 Japan ranks 45th out of 50 countries for the percentage of people starting a business and 47th for owning a business for more than 3 months.
• 😀 The cultural preference in Japan is for stable, long-term employment rather than risk-taking entrepreneurship.
• 😀 The fear of disappointing others, including family and colleagues, leads to a strong aversion to entrepreneurship in Japan.
• 😀 In Japan, there is a general belief that entrepreneurship requires specialized skills, leading to low confidence in one's ability to start a business.
• 😀 Only 17% of the Japanese population believes they have the necessary skills to start a business, which is one of the lowest figures among the countries analyzed.
• 😀 Japan also ranks last in terms of recognizing good business opportunities, with only 10% of the population believing there are opportunities available.
• 😀 The small social circles in Japan limit access to social capital, such as investment partners and collaborators, which hinders entrepreneurship.
• 😀 Historically, Japan's industrial giants were formed through government support and policies, such as the Zaibatsu, which later evolved into Keiretsu conglomerates like Sony and Toyota.
• 😀 Immigration policies have been adjusted to encourage foreign entrepreneurs, and the number of foreign workers has increased, but challenges like the language barrier and bureaucratic hurdles remain.

Q & A

Why does Japan have so few entrepreneurs despite its well-known large companies?

Japan's entrepreneurial culture is hindered by a conservative, risk-averse mentality. Many Japanese prioritize job stability over personal growth or risk-taking, making entrepreneurship less appealing. Cultural factors, such as the fear of disappointing others and the desire for long-term security, further reduce the likelihood of starting a business.

What is the significance of Japan's long-term orientation in relation to entrepreneurship?

Japan's long-term orientation leads people to favor secure, lifelong employment rather than starting a business. This cultural emphasis on job stability over ambition or risk-taking reduces the number of individuals who are willing to embark on entrepreneurial ventures.

How does Japan's cultural focus on collective values affect entrepreneurship?

The strong collective mindset in Japan makes individuals more concerned about not disappointing others. Entrepreneurship, with its risks and potential for failure, could negatively impact family or social reputation, discouraging people from starting businesses.

What are some factors contributing to Japan's low entrepreneurship indicators?

Factors include a low confidence in one's ability to start a business, a lack of perceived opportunities, small social circles that hinder networking, and the country's overall risk-averse nature. The culture of job security, long working hours, and social pressures also play significant roles.

What role do social circles play in Japan's entrepreneurial landscape?

In Japan, small social circles limit opportunities for networking and collaboration, which are crucial for entrepreneurship. Fewer connections with other entrepreneurs, potential partners, or investors make it more challenging to start a business.

How did the Meiji Restoration influence the growth of large Japanese companies?

The Meiji Restoration shifted Japan’s economy from isolation to modernization, with the government actively promoting industrialization. They sold industrial companies to the nobility, providing incentives like exclusive licenses and financing, which led to the creation of massive conglomerates like Mitsubishi.

What is the difference between Japan's Zaibatsu and Keiretsu?

Zaibatsu were large industrial conglomerates formed during the Meiji Restoration, supported by government incentives. After World War II, antitrust laws dissolved the Zaibatsu, but they evolved into Keiretsu, which are still powerful business groups such as Mitsui, comprising major companies like Sony, Toyota, and Daihatsu.

What efforts has Japan made to encourage entrepreneurship in recent years?

In 2015, Japan introduced a new visa category for foreign entrepreneurs to facilitate the process of starting a business. The number of foreign workers in Japan has increased, which could bring more entrepreneurial activity, as immigrants often have fewer cultural barriers to risk-taking.

How might immigrants impact Japan's entrepreneurial spirit?

Immigrants may help change Japan’s risk-averse culture, as they tend to have fewer reservations about starting businesses. However, they face challenges like language barriers and navigating Japan's complex bureaucracy, which could affect their ability to significantly shift the entrepreneurial landscape.

Why is Japan ranked low in terms of the ease of starting a business?

Japan ranks low due to bureaucratic hurdles and a relatively closed business environment. Despite being a developed country, the process of starting a business is complex and time-consuming, ranking 106th globally in terms of ease of starting a business, according to the World Bank.