ABSTRACT
Japan's Canon demonstrates developmental economics on a microeconomic level. By building on the Japanese philosophy of Kyosei, which means co-existence or co-evolution, the Canon case illustrates how such an original Eastern cultural impulse is realized in economic practice. This chapter shows how an active engagement with cultural grounds provides, on the one microeconomic hand, a basis for organizational development. On the other macroeconomic hand, the Canon case provides insights, on how an evolved and culturally infused variation of mainstream macroeconomic theory is put into practice. For Canon there is only a single micro enterprise, albeit a major one, within the context of a Japanese macro economy that has not worked out an overall developmental economic path. Kensei Hiwaki's framework for balanced socioeconomic development, focusing on culture and economics in a global context, is indeed very resonant with the philosophy of Kyosei, promoted by Canon. The framework encourages a perpetual enrichment of diverse cultures and promotes environmental protection and resource conservation.
