Competitiveness and the Kami Way

Companies define the times we live in, and in the case of Japan, significance of corporate culture cannot be emphasized enough. The Kami Way can be a foundation for the strength of a company. It is not a religion or philosophy, but an accumulation of human intelligence. This work was written to address some of the misunderstandings often prevalent amongst policy makers, scholars and business executives when examining Japan. It is often said that Japanese ways have been influenced by Confucian thought. However, it is asserted here that any analysis of Japanese macro-economic policies and corporate business policies after World War II reveals a thread of Shintoist mentality. This is an effort to sweep aside the current misunderstanding on Japan and submit a more realistic way of understanding to those who have first hand business experience with Japanese executives, managers and customers.