Learning from Japanese Enterprises’ Success

"During his visit to Japan, the President attended several meetings and the two sides issued a joint statement on cooperation in various fields. Hopefully this conference will contribute to the enhancement of the cooperation between the two countries, especially between the enterprises of the two sides," added Mr Thang.
According to Mr Hirofumi Miyake, in the recent 20 years, Vietnam has enjoyed a strong growth. The number of Japanese enterprises investing in Vietnam is increasing.The number of enterprises engaged in manufacturing sector is dominated while that in other areas starts to increase too, such as service sector. Vietnam has also paid great attention to strengthening international economic cooperation and promoting trade and investment with Japan.

Mr Toshihiko Inaba, Chairman of Japan- based Cerespo and Representative of ISETAN group – a leading supermarket chain in Japan, shared valuable lessons with Vietnamese and Japanese businesses about the secret to success in multicultural business environment. Mr Toshihiko Inaba has worked for 6 years in the city of Tianjin of China. ISETAN supermarket chain in Tianjin has flourished in the past few years despite the sluggish world economy.

However, many representatives of Japanese businesses in Vietnam said that despite the general provisions set out like in other Japanese companies, there are also “soft” provisions in accordance with traditional culture of the host country.

Mr Kobe Hachi, Representative of Pentax Camera Vietnam, said that with 16 years working in Vietnam, he adjusted the rules of the company to suit the thinking and attitude at work towards Vietnamese staff. He even had to spend time learning the local culture. Therefore, employees are attached to the company, there are many who have worked for over 10 years.

According to representatives of N & G Vietnam, the Vietnamese enterprises need to be more united in the field of business and promote the formation of business associations under the management by the State to together research, invest and cooperate with Japanese companies in the long term. That will bring practical benefits to the Vietnamese enterprises.

Quynh Anh