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Archive for January 13th, 2008

James Fallows on Japanese vs. Chinese Problem Solving

January 13, 2008 By: Andrew Category: China, General, culture No Comments →

This isn’t a new link, and even the author admits it is probably an oversimplification, but it is an interesting point. What is the difference between the typical way that Japanese people and Chinese people approach problems?

James Fallows (November 27, 2007) - "The" way vs "a" way (Japan v China dept):

With usual caveats against sweeping generalization, what this made me think was: Japan is all about the way of doing things. Practice, ritual, perfectionism, as much fanatical attention to the process as to the result. China is all about finding a way to do things. Improvisation, little interest in rules, putting up with whatever is necessary to attain the result.

Yes, I think it is a generalization, but it does ring true to some extent. Interesting.

(Via A Whole Lotta Nothing.)