Much media attention has been paid to Japan, but it remains a culture of mystique and misconception to many outsiders. Working or living with Japanese, or traveling to Japan, many people report that the Japanese are polite and charming, yet surprisingly distant and difficult to understand. Rapidly changing, Japan is a country rich in tradition and quick to embrace new technologies and trends. Cultural Detective Japan will assist you to better understand Japanese colleagues' motivations and to collaborate more effectively and enjoyably together.

Cultural Detective Japan contains the following stories and critical incidents:

• Scolding, The:

  A Brazilian in the precision instruments industry resigns after perceived mistreatment by his Japanese supervisor.

• Selecting Production Material:

  An Italian-Japanese manufacturing team disagrees on production materials.

• Expatriate Who Wants to Go Home, The:

  An overseas work group hosts a Japanese expatriate who requests to return to Japan just nine months into his two-year assignment.

• Global R&D:

  A global research and development team is tasked with implementing use of a technology perfected by their Japanese teammates.

• Globally Consistent Software:

  A US American manager advocates Japanese use of a corporate software program.

• International Sales Quotas:

  Senior international sales managers deal with their Japanese President's optimistic sales forecasts.

Cultural Detective Japan was authored by Dianne Hofner Saphiere and Yuko Kipnis.

The Japanese-language version has Participant Materials in Japanese, and the Facilitator Guide in English.