Sunset in the Land of the Rising Sun: Why Japanese Multinational Corporations Will Struggle in the Global Future (INSEAD Business Press)

Even casual observers will be familiar with the Cherry Blossom or Sakura tress of Japan. When in full bloom the sight is spectacular but it sadly only takes a week until the tree is bare. In a longer cycle of nations and business, we see, unfortunately, a similar pattern for Japanese Multinational Corporations. Even causal observers will be familiar with the Cherry Blossom or Sakura trees of Japan. When in full bloom, the sight is spectacular. This amazing visual is preceded by several weeks of behind the scenes development as the buds grow. Sadly, from the time of full bloom until the blossoms have all scattered only takes a week or less. In the longer cycle of nations and business, the authors unfortunately see a similar transitory pattern for Japanese Multinational Corporations (MNCs). Japanese companies seemed to be in full bloom in the mid-90s but now show serious signs of losing their standing in the landscape of global players. The authors explain how and why this is happening, but perhaps more importantly, examine what can be done to improve the situation in the future Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 List of Illustrations......Page 9 Preface......Page 11 1 Where Have All the Flowers Gone?......Page 16 2 Follow The Yellow Brick Road, Part 1......Page 25 3 Follow The Yellow Brick Road, Part 2......Page 40 4 A Brave New World......Page 51 5 Curve Ball......Page 64 6 Barbarians at the Gate......Page 72 7 Water, Water Everywhere, but Not a Drop to Drink......Page 82 8 A Tale of Two Cities......Page 91 9 The Incredible Shrinking Japan......Page 104 10 So What Are the Japanese to Do?......Page 120 11 A Cautionary Tale......Page 134 Notes......Page 146 Index......Page 154