INTRODUCTION

Wal-Mart acquires Seiyu

Initial Response of Japanese Consumers

Does Wal-Mart Need Japan?

What did consumers not like?

What is Wal-Mart Doing Now?

ECONOMIC, POLITICAL & DEMOGRAPHIC

Economic

Dedicated Workforce

Advanced Technology

Highly Regulated

Lack of Raw Materials

Political

Multi-Party System

Anti-Nuclear Protests

Corruption

Demographic

Population Decline

Male Female Ratio

Buddhism

Language

CULTURAL DIMENSIONS

Power Distance

Individualism

Masculinity/Femininity

Uncertainty Avoidance

54 46

95 92

Geert Hofstede

CULTURAL DIMENSIONS

United States is rated

at 40 and Japan is at

54

Japan recognizes

differences in power

compared to U.S

People can move up

through merit

Japanese know their

current position and

act accordingly

POWER

DISTANCE

Geert Hofstede

CULTURAL DIMENSIONS

INDIVIDUALISM

Japan is rated at 46 and United States is 91

Japan is considered

collectivist to

Westerners and

individualistic when

compared to Asian

neighbors

Japanese prefer group

harmony and working

together

Considered very loyal to

their jobs which is more

individualistic

Geert Hofstede

CULTURAL DIMENSIONS

Masculinity/Femininity

Both are considered

masculine cultures.

Japan is very masculine

rated at 95 when

compared to the United

States which is rated at

62.

There tends to a focus

on being as competitive

as possible.

Tends to produce

workaholics and workers

work hardest when they

are on a winning team with

intense competition

Geert Hofstede

CULTURAL DIMENSIONS

Uncertainty Avoidance

Japan is a 92 while the United States is

46.

The people of the United States will

try new things and accept that there is

uncertainty.

Japanese people will want to avoid anything

uncertain.

There is a large focus on rituals and

planning ahead.

Managers and employees ask for

every detail so they will be prepared.

CHALLENGES

Respect for Elders and Superiority

Trust in authority

Collectivism vs. Individualism

Initial response of consumers

Pursuit of better job over

promotion

RECOMMENDATIONS

Job Autonomy Job Enrichment

Strengths• More Efficient• Reduced Turnovers• Increased Productivity

Weaknesses• Lack of access to job information• May require compensation increases.