ABSTRACT
The working culture and ambience of India and Japan are the very opposite of each other. While the average Indian admires the Japanese working style owing to the sincerity and accuracy it involves, he also condemns the inflexibility inherent in their working style. The difference in their working styles occasionally even leads to clashes or misunderstandings. This chapter explains the experiences and problems faced by Indian businessmen and professionals working in Japan. While the numbers of Indians working in Japanese companies are few, there are many in international companies. For those working in Japanese companies, language plays a very challenging role, for even in the case of those who are fluent, getting accustomed to the language takes time. A few migrants have either changed their jobs or intend to change their jobs and move to companies where the use of English is more common. The working women, whether single, married or married with children, also face a range of experiences and challenges. With not much domestic help available, most women prefer to work easy or flexible hours. The business world is male-dominated, with the female spouses serving mostly as homemakers, although a few women are also involved in small home-based businesses.
