Global competencies required by Japanese workers : expectation discrepancies between Japanese employers and foreign business owners in Japan

According to the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research in Japan, the population in Japan is shrinking from 126 million (2020) to 110 million (2040), consequently affecting the size of the domestic markets. In order to survive, Japanese companies need to increasingly address foreign markets. Therefore, Japanese business managers and employers require the competencies to work with foreign partners. This study explores the discrepancies of expected competencies from foreign and Japanese employers in an international context. This study is qualitive in nature, conducting semi-structured interviews with 4 employers (2 foreign employers and 2 Japanese employers). The interviews were transcribed and then analyzed using thematic analysis. Six themes of discrepancies were found: 1) independencies for the work, 2) understanding of flexibility and the procedure-oriented approach, 3) language versus competencies, 4) trust-based business in Japan, 5) awareness towards global competencies required by Japanese workers, and 6) common goals and teamwork. The results of this study confirmed that the traditional Japanese organizational culture is heading opposite toward the required work style from the foreign potential partners in the international business practice