Notion of "ikigai" in Japanese Business

NTT, Fuji's lifelong place of employment, is the largest common carrier of telephone services in the world. Previously owned by the Japanese government, NTT was privatized in 1985; however, the government retained one-third of the company's equity. In terms of size and influence in Japan, the stock valuation of the company is worth twice the combined total of IBM, General Motors, and AT&T (Rapoport, 1988, p. 92).

Fuji is part of NTT's ambitious efforts to supply Japan with an Integrated Systems Digital Network (ISDN). ISDN is a digital communications network that transports data services into homes and businesses via fiber-optic technology. ISDN is expected to be NTT's fastest-growing business within the next few years. As one company spokesman notes, "NTT is building the roads for Japan, and we want triple-decker highways" (Rapoport, 1988, p. 96). Fuji operates out of a corner cubicle in a partitionless "open office" layout that characterizes most Japanese work environments. As section chief, he oversees the contribution of about 50 employees.

Because NTT's reputation rests on its success in the information industry, Fuji is faced with a relentless work schedule. Fuji usually arrives at NTT at about seven o'clock in the mor

. . .
isolation makes no sense. For instance, NTT is developing its fiber-optic network in conjunction with Dow Corning of the U.S. The software that NTT will require for the functioning of its ISDN system will undoubtedly come from U.S. firms. Unfortunately, Fuji speaks only Japanese and has had rare business dealings with Americans. As one American business expert observes, "Japan's Achilles' heel is its sense of being unique. The Japanese have a lack of skill in dealing with non-Japanese" (Darlin, 1993, p. 264). If forced to leave NTT, Fuji would likely opt for finding employment at another firm as opposed to taking early retirement. Fuji admits that since work has occupied most of his adult life, he has very few hobbies, certainly none that would keep him occupied for an extended period of time. As one Japanese salaryman notes, "Since I was young I've been called 'man of work' [shigoto ningen]; I've believed that all my nourishment comes from work--my ikigai, my knowledge, the economic base of my life" (Mathews, 1996, p. 60). Recognizing the void left in the lives of many salarymen after they leave work, the Japanese media have recently begun urging them to give thought to how they will sustain themselves in their second l
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
NTT Fuji, ISDN ISDN, Middle Class, Japan Sueyoshi, Democratic Party, NTT Fuji's, Fuji Tokyo, NTT Western, Besides Fuji, References Darlin, rapoport 1988, ntt fuji, sueyoshi 1996, mathews 1996, section chief, lock 1990, japanese government, sueyoshi 1996 1328, forced leave, darlin 1993, makes life worth, stay company, 1996 1328 fuji, life worth living,
Approximate Word count = 1672
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)