Sayonara, salaryman

When Akira got married, he recalls, he invited his bucho, or division chief, to the wedding, as all salarymen did. And during the reception the boss made a speech to the bride, as he always did. “Your new husband is a very good worker,” he began. “He is important to the company. So please understand that he may need to work many long hours.” All the guests nodded silently. “And when he is at home, please take care of him.”

It is a nice experience to have been in Japan while she is changing. There are lots of changes recently in politics, foreign policy, education, corporate governance...It seems to me that Japan Inc. is slowly and cautiously adopting American capitalism in responding to the New World Order.

Once the cornerstone of the economy, the paternalistic relationship between Japan's companies and their salaried employees is crumbling.