Mottainai

Omoiyari means caring and showing sincere consideration for others.

Japanese fans made the headlines in 2018 when they tidied up a football stadium after the game.

Omoiyari is also manifested in the designs of products. For example, Japanese hi-tech toilets have a warm seat, washer, a...

Shu-Ha-Ri translates as “follow, breakaway, and transcend.”

It is a way of thinking about how to learn and master a technique. There are 3 stages to acquiring knowledge:

Shu: learn the basics by following the teaching of one master. Imitating the work of great masters also falls in th...

It is good practice to encourage everyone to report issues and problems immediately. Even if a solution is not found, the cost of a problem that is not reported can be high.

Ikigai is the Japanese term for the state of well-being induced by devotion to enjoyable activities, which leads to a sense of fulfillment, according to Japanese psychologist Michiko Kumano.

It is said that in Japan, people who have a purpose in life live longer.

Your ikigai is what g...

Wabi-sabi is a concept that encourages us to embrace our imperfections and accept the natural cycle of life.

Everything in life, including us, is in a state of flux. Change is the only constant, everything is transient, and nothing is ever complete.

By practicing wabi-sabi, we are tau...

Shin-Gi-Tai translates as “mind, technique, and body.”

Mind, technique, and body are the three elements for maximum performance used in martial arts.

The concepts can be applied to any domain. Take, for example, chess. Your performance is not solely dependent on your chess skills at t...

This concept describes having empathy towards things and their inevitable passing.

This concept reminds us that nothing in life is permanent. We should willingly and gracefully let go of our attachments to transient things.

Christel Takigawa, the ambassador for the Tokyo 2020 bid, popularized this concept in her speech to the International Olympic Committee.

The concept is all about offering the best service without expecting a reward. It’s an important part of Japanese culture and deeply rooted in how Japanes...

Kaizen is a method of continuous improvement based on the theory that small, ongoing positive changes can be significant.

Kaizen reminds us to let go of assumptions and perfectionism. It teaches us to take an iterative, progressive approach to change.

This concept is vital to instill ...

Ho-Ren-So translates as “report, inform, and consult.”

The concept forms the basis of all communication, collaboration, and healthy information sharing in a Japanese organization. It focuses on the roots of the communication line, streamlining the flow of information, and preventing issues ...