Kelly's Assignment in Japan: Cross-Cultural Issues and Communication Challenges

Running head: KELLY’S ASSIGNMENT IN JAPAN
KELLY’S ASSIGNMENT IN JAPAN
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1KELLY’S ASSIGNMENT IN JAPAN
Introduction
The study is related to a case concerning Kelly, a person employed in a startup internet
service organization, who visits Japan on business purpose. The various cross-cultural issues that
are identified in the case study are analyzed and discussed through the study. The various factors
that affects Kelly and her future paths are discussed subsequently.
Culture clashes, customs, and expectations
The cultural clashes are very much evident from the case study. It can be seen that the
Japanese have a very different organizational and business culture than the Americans. There are
a lot more polite gestures and attitude in the Japanese colleagues and counterparts of Kelly
(McCourt & Eldridge, 2003). The culture of Japan seems to favor consensus while that of the
United States relies more on individualism. Hence, it can be said that there is a definite issue
with the cultural aspects of Japan that Kelly was exposed to. The current stage Kelly and her
family is in is the frustration stage of culture shock. The expectation of Kelly was that the
cultural aspects of Japanese corporate life will be similar with the western corporate culture.
However, despite having a sophisticated corporate setting Japan still had a traditional cultural
outlook in regards to organizational operations (Kono, 2016). The customs were very different to
what Kelly expected. She is finding it difficult to come into terms with the way the Japanese
communicate in business.
Culture shock of Kelly’s family
Kelly’s family is experiencing the frustration stage of culture shock as mentioned
previously. In this stage the people involved are unable to understand the cultural setting and
signs of a different culture. In this stage the people are greatly unaware of the customs and