Inventors and technology enthusiast speak of a “tech culture” in Japan, where big businesses and government are trying to adopt the new technological innovations from the Asian country. Inventors and technology enthusiast point to Japan’s Meiji Period, which is the oldest period in Japanese history and the time when innovation became popular in the country. According to them, this innovation came mainly from the Meiji restoration period. It was during this time that the Meiji Period was abolished and the Japanese imperial family took over the rule of Japan. With the restoration of the Meiji Period, came a new time when new ideas and inventions started to circulate in Japan.
What Inventions Have The Japanese Created?
Examples of these inventions include the electronics, computer industry, and Meiji Period furniture. The electronics industry has been playing a key role in Japan’s economic growth in the recent years, and many people say that without the electronics, Japan may have been turned into a low pay nation. The electronics industry alone contributes about two percent of the gross domestic product, and it has helped lift the economy of Japan to heights not seen in many decades. There is a wide acceptance of computers in the Japanese corporate life; a survey shows that eighty five percent of the general population uses some form of computer or internet technology in their daily lives.
Computer industry is the second key innovation that developed in Japan during the Meiji Period. And it is probably one of the most significant innovations, as it has been playing a key role in shaping the corporate life and especially the working culture in Japan. Computers have become the most important tools for the modern working age, replacing the older forms of communicating like telegraphs and railway lines. The low pay and absence of social life are two major problems that the Japanese people face when compared to their counterparts in the western countries.
Ongoing Changes In The Global Technology Industry
But in spite of these problems, the Japanese have managed to turn the tables in their favour. The average income in Japan is much higher than that of its counterparts, the citizens enjoy freebies and perks, and the corporate life is more enjoyable than most. Tech in japan has also contributed significantly to the overall development of the country and it has become a leading force behind the Japanese economy. The main factor behind this achievement is the contribution of the Japanese company.
The current compensation package for an average Japanese worker is far better than the package offered by his/her western counterparts. The Japanese pay a considerable package for their skilled employees, but they pay it at such a low level that the workers accept it as being nothing less than what they earn in their home country. This phenomenon is known as the Keikaku effect, a Japanese term which means ‘eat away’. This phenomenon is a result of the success of the Japanese company in exploiting the local market, and also a major contributor to the healthy economic growth of Japan.
What We Have Learned
The above factors are a major reason why Japanese corporations are able to offer their employees super low salaries. The average income in Japan is around 40% less than that of the United States. The reason behind this phenomenon is the ‘brainpower paradox’, or the high percentage of companies in the Japanese market are able to employ highly intelligent people. Some of the famous names in the Japanese market include Toshiba, Nissan, Sony and LG. With these huge multinational corporations, there can be no doubt that the current compensation package offered to their employees is one of the highest in the world.
