Inside the Japanese Workplace: Why Teams Often Come Before Individuals
In many Western workplaces, individual performance, autonomy, and personal impact are central to how value is measured.
What cultural and structural factors shape this mindset?
And what does this mean for professionals working in, or aspiring to work in, Japanese companies?
In this interactive seminar, we will explore the deeper logic behind Japanese workplace culture and examine why teams often come before individuals.
- Understand the cultural foundations of group-centered decision-making in Japan
- Explore the concept of “relational tokens” and long-term reciprocity
- Examine how fairness and contribution are perceived differently in Japanese organizations
- Reflect on how these dynamics impact leadership, career development, and daily work life
- Gain practical insight for navigating Japanese corporate environments
Rather than a one-way lecture, this will be an interactive session with live questions, chat engagement, and open discussion.
Overview
| Date: | Thursday, March 19, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Pacific Daylight Time) |
| Where: | Online |
| Registration Fee: | Free of charge |
| Language: | English |
Agenda
| 5:00 PM (PDT) | Welcome & Introduction to GLOBIS |
|---|---|
| 5:05 PM (PDT) | Seminar |
| 5:50 PM (PDT) | Survey and Live Q&A |
| 6:00 PM (PDT) | Closing |
Masaki Matsunaga
GLOBIS University Faculty
Masaki Matsunaga is a prolific scholar, consultant, and expert in human sciences and communication.
A former faculty member at several top Japanese universities including Waseda University and Kyushu University Business School, Masaki has published dozens of academic journal articles and book chapters, as well as a book centered on leadership and digital transformation. He is also an award-winning researcher, having presented his work at several national and international conferences.
Before joining GLOBIS Corporation in 2023, Masaki lent his expertise to education and new business consultancy-focused startups. Now he works to help develop and strengthen GLOBIS’s research capabilities and scientific teaching methods. He also works as an advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the GLOBIS community.
At GLOBIS University, Masaki teaches Organizational Behavior and Leadership, Power and Influence, and Technology Lean Startup.
