Japanese Omotenashi
However, one idiosyncrasy unique to corporate Japan prevents the simple reduction of unessential workers to improve productivity. That is the concept of omotenashi, which the Japan National Tourist Organization defines as “the Japanese mindset of hospitality … an implicit understanding that there are no menial tasks if the result ensures a great experience for a guest.”
The thinking is that the construction company needs to provide services beyond just construction and the exam operator beyond just monitoring the exam, to ensure their “guests,” whether they are pedestrians, clients or exam-takers, are well looked after. Adding extra workers, then, become a necessary step to achieve omotenashi.
An idiosyncrasy unique to corporate Japan prevents the reduction of unessential workers to improve productivity.
