Repercussions of Irresponsible Flyjin Management

Immediately after the March 11, 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident, many foreigners panicked and fled Japan. At that time, I was sharply critical of many members of the foreign community for doing so.

As a seasoned veteran of the mass media, I knew from decades of experience that one must always take with a huge grain of salt what is broadcast on the mass media as "news." On this very blog I reported about many past exaggerations. On March 18, in the midst of the disaster, and while events were unfolding, I warned people not to believe the mass media sensationalism. In the post entitled: Japan Nuclear Disaster Update and Strong Criticism of Western Media Sensationalism I wrote: 

The western media is having a field day with the nuclear accident in Japan. If you believe them, you'd think all of Japan were underwater and that we are all about to die. This sort of crass sensationalism is a damned disgrace and you should be very skeptical of what these idiots are telling you. The guys working in the news are wishing for big stories. If they can't get them, they make them.

Remember my Golden Rule about TV: "90% of everything you see on TV is bullshit; the other 10% are commercials."

Actually, it astounds me that people do accept what what the media says as gospel truth. Don't forget that this is the very same media that told us 3 years ago that Swine Flu was going to kill more than 50 million people worldwide. This was the same media that told us that the USA had to invade Iraq because of Saddam's nooklar weapons. This was the same media that told us that SARS also was a killer virus that was going to wipe out entire populations. This was the same media that told us that Bird Flu was going to do the same.

As of today, worldwide deaths from Swine Flu: 82. No nuclear weapons for Saddam (if he had any, do you really think we would have invaded Iraq?). Worldwide deaths from SARS: 100. Worldwide deaths from Bird Flu: 80. Don't even get me started on Man Made Global Warming!

Fact of the matter is that this is the same media who constantly exaggerates stories in order to sell advertising space to an extremely gullible public. When will people ever learn? If history is any example then the answer is: Never. They'll never learn.

Even so, that some people - especially those with pregnant wives or small children - decided to send their families away just to be on the safe side, these people deserve no criticism. The ones who deserve strong criticism are the foreign management who left their positions of management all the while claiming to take business trips while leaving their Japanese staff to hold the fort.

If they thought it was so dangerous that they had to leave then, as management, they had a duty to take care of their Japanese staff first. The captian is not the first to abandon ship. 

Besides deserving scorn and ridicule those people don't deserve their jobs.

I wrote about this sort of poor management in Tokyo Crisis Update: Nuclear Meltdowns, Drama Queens, TV News and Coca Cola

....all the foreign upper-management have gone on unspecified "business trips" (with their families) and have left no return date to their staff. I could tell from the way she said it and her attitude  that she and her husband were disgusted at these people. What dedicated and responsible management, eh? What a great way to build respect for management.

I will, here, take this chance to strongly criticize the foreign management of Coca-Cola Japan for showing such a compete lack of responsibility to their employees and to the Japanese people. So much for Corporate Social Responsibility, eh Coca-Cola? Also, so much for dedication to your work and company. Leaving on a "business trip"? Disgusting. Don't you clowns have the guts to even say that you are running away? Saying that it is a "business trip" allows you to get paid from your company at the same time you skirt your responsibilities all the while you expect that your staff and workers continue on like everyday? If I were your boss, we'd definitely have more than a few words about this. I'd probably fire you.

I can understand you sending your family away... But you running away too? And then expecting to get paid and your employees to carry on in your absence at the same time!? 

Scandalous.

So much for the days of the captain being the last to leave a sinking ship. And, in this case, the ship is not even close to sinking. Coca-Cola wussies. I'll never drink that stuff again.

At that time, I also warned that fleeing foreign management and their corporations one extremely important message. That was a message of trust and respect between the Japanese staff and their foreign management. Never forget that, in any relationship, be it work or personal, it takes years of effort and dedication to build trust. It takes just but one action to destroy that trust.

That's what this post is about. It is a report from a conversation I had last night with a Japanese staff person and what she told me that her 25 or so Japanese colleagues think of their foreign boss because he ran away, lied and claimed he was on a business trip so that he could collect money (call this what you want, but I think most people with common sense would call it theft) and yet left the Japanese to stay on at work as if nothing happened.

Now, let me say a word about this company that this lady works at; I have been to that company many times over these past 8 years. This is a very demoralized company. The atmosphere in the company is very negative and the staff, when not in the office, ridicule the management openly... (it is strange that some of them would so easily and quickly ridicule management to me as I am a stranger to many of them). This company has all the makings of a company heading for bankruptcy. It reminds me of a run down government office. It is dirty, dark and the employees are not motivated at all to do a good job. The employees at that company are all just sliding by doing the minimum of effort they need to do to get by. 

And why not? Why should they do more than their "leader" does?

This lady told me with gritted teeth that their boss ran away during the crisis and returned as if nothing happened. She was still very angry five months later! The Japanese staff were dumbfounded when he ran away. They felt that they were expected to stay and work everyday (they did). Their boss took his family away to Okinawa and stayed in a 5 star hotel sending his meeting itinerary to the office everyday. She mockingly told me that he, 

"Sent us his itinerary as if he had business meeting in a Okinawa hotel three times a day for three weeks! Everyone in the office knew he had no such meetings. He just sent in those forms and schedule so that he could get paid. Unbelievable!"

That's just scandalous and, no matter how you slice it, claiming a business meeting in an Okinawa hotel everyday for three weeks is just plain stealing from the company. Talk about just asking for his staff to disrespect him. 

When he returned, there was no apology, no nothing. Here's a guy who exhorts the troops to go out a do a good job? What a disgrace.

Let me give another important aspect of this case to you, dear reader to consider. 

One of the biggest complaints that foreigners and foreign management have of the Japanese is that they do not take initiative and that they do not take responsibility. It is commonly complained about by the foreigners that the Japanese must be told what to do or they will do nothing. I am not here to argue this point at all. I am just passing along what is a common complaint about the Japanese.

I have, though, heard this very same foreign boss say this exact thing to me before.

This woman also related this part: Just before this foreigner left his company, he hurriedly called the staff and told them that he was going on a business trip to Okinawa and that, during the Fukushima disaster, that they can decide what to do by themselves. Then he left in a rush.

This woman who relayed this story to me told me that the Japanese staff held a meeting after that and they didn't know what to do. She said they didn't understand what he meant. She did say though that people were scathing about this foreigner and sharply critical of his lack of leadership. 

By his saying that they could "decide what to do" mean that they could leave and go home? Did it mean that they would still keep their jobs if they did so? If they did go home, would they still get paid? This incompetent foreigner failed to do the minimum that was required of him.

On the one hand, he complains that the Japanese can't decide what to do by themselves, then on the other hand, he tells them to decide what to do by themselves?! What a dimwit.

Any competent leader would have said, "I am leaving with my family until the situation is clear. Please go home to take care of your families and wait for my contact on what to do after that and when it is safe to return to work. If you need me, here is my contact. I am available for you anytime."

Like I said, this is what a competent leader would have said. But, then again this guy is far from competent.

Now, after reading the above, is it any wonder why the Japanese staff do not work hard at this company? Is it any wonder why they are completely demoralized? Is it any wonder why they don't respect their boss? What is a wonder is why the owners of this company do not fire this guy and the second wonder of the world is why the Japanese staff don't hate this guy with a passion and openly revolt! 


(An interesting side note, though... this guy must know that his staff hate him and have zero respect for him... How can he stand his job? Or, gulp, is he really that clueless and incompetent?)

It's been now nearly 5 months after the Fukushima disaster began. The radiation situation in Tokyo is no worse or no better than it was 5 months ago. The foreigners have for the most part returned.

The only thing that has changed is the disregard and lack of respect that the Japanese staff now have for their foreign management that ran away.

It seems to be would now be wise for corporations in Japan to investigate and review how their "leaders" acted in this crisis and take appropriate actions to remedy situations that are not conducive to company culture and profits.

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Anal Retentive Foreigners in Japan

The term in Japanese is ”ケツの穴ちいちゃい男” (Ketsu no ana chichai otoko) it literally means "A guy with a tight a*shole."


You'll never learn this term in any Japanese language textbooks or even from most Japanese friends. I learned this term from working with some Japanese comedian (Taro Furukawa) for over 12 years. Taro is one of my best friends. He is a real rock and roller and he and I have been involved with many legal and illegal activities before which shall remain unnamed.


He's the one who taught me this term, "Ketsu no ana chichai otoko".

Taro Furukawa

"Ketsu no ana chichai otoko" means "a guy with a tight a*shole" but, in English, I think it is closer to being "anal retentive."


Trust me that, god damn! there's a sh*t load of anal retentive foreigners in Japan. Really, I'm not kidding. Sh*tloads of them. The fact that I won't write "shitloads" and instead write "sh*tloads" shows that I am and wimp and one of these anal retentive folks.

Famous bumper sticker in USA: "I + love +

c*nt + tree + music"

Anyway, there's lots of these sh*thead foreigners in this country. God, what a bunch of dilweeds. 

This last week, I got this crap from a few of these dimwits concerning the origin of "Flyjin" and the boring repercussions. I can't believe that people even care about this anymore. They were complaining and insinuating that I was one of the "types" who thought up "Flyjin" and that I was losing friends.

First off, I' not smart enough to think of such a term and, two, I have no friends to lose. 

But, OK, I'm game. I'll play along. That morons who left Japan, at the start of the nuclear problems at Fukushima, split because of the "nuclear holocaust" that was going to happen, but hasn't happened, now defend that leaving Japan, because of said nuclear holocaust, was going to happen because the government was "lying" about that nuclear accident, that was supposed to happen that didn't happen, proves that the people who left Japan were right and those who stayed were "wrong" proves that the "Flyjin" were "right" (in spending hundreds of thousands of yen splitting and then returning though nothing has changed nor gotten better). This proves that the Flyjin were "right" and those that stayed were "fried" as in "Fryjin" even though the Flyjin have returned and the situation hasn't gotten any better or stable since March 15th. And not a single person has "fried".

Whew! Got that? Excellent logical and deduction skills! Bravo!

One clown, who will be unnamed, wrote on his Twitter account about how the term Flyjin started:

"Yes, the term was started by Gaijins. I personally know the sort of bad apples who did. They now have even fewer friends than b4."

Bwa! Ha! Ha! Ha! What a twit. Really? Let's be really anal retentive and pick this crap apart. Don't complain, that I do this only leads more stupid people to try follow this guy as his Twitter account is at least good for comedy.

First he says says:

"Yes, the term was started by Gaijins. I personally know the sort of bad apples who did."

Oh really? Aren't you embarrassed by this? You personally "know the sort of bad apples" who started this? Oh really? Or maybe this is a case of bad apples or jealousy on your part? You personally know the type? Or maybe you personally have penis envy to them?

Which is it?

Then this clown actually writes: 

"They now have even fewer friends than b4."

Laughable. Why? well, if you look, this clown only has 14 followers on Twitter. Fourteen! One four. 1 - 4. One - four! That's even less friends than your dog next door has on Twitter. Jeez. Think before your write, dude! That's just fricking embarrassing.

Anyway....

There's a ton of self-righteous foreigners in this country. You'd think that they'd have their arguments and act together before they go and shoot off some illogical and poorly written nonsense....

But then again, if they did check their work before handing in to the teacher, then they wouldn't be idiot students... That they fail to do the minimum check only proves that they are poor students and will always be anal retentive foreigners in Japan.... With (quite deserving) low paid jobs with little or no job security.

People who couldn't get jobs washing cars back home come to Japan and can at least get a job and a cute girlfriend. It's not too bad.... Yet they complain and run away at the first tinkling of the alarm. 

This is what we call ”ケツの穴ちいちゃい男” (Ketsu no ana chichai otoko).

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Actions Have Consequences and Other Rude Awakenings

Please take time to read follow up comments below... Especially this: 

"Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice."- H. L. Mencken

In an occurring theme in life, many someday learn that actions have consequences - in spite of how much they wish words could cover for their deeds. 

Still, again, many foreigners seem to be so concerned with what I think that they just cannot stop writing to me and showing their insecurities about how they panicked and ran from Japan.

ERIC IDLE - PENIS SONG

I have been asked by many Japanese people over these few weeks "Did you leave?" And when they find out that I didn't, they usually open up and start complaining about the foreigners. Of course they do. This is not unique to the Japanese. In any country in the world, they wouldn't like it. I think many Japanese are open about this to me because they know I'm half-Japanese and have been here for most of my life.


Here's an interesting letter from another foreigner whose been here for years and speaks perfect Japanese. Billy-Bob (not his real name) is also the CEO and president of a company in Tokyo. He writes:


Mike,


Saw your blog about "flyjin".  I have been looking for a word for them, and will start using it with pride.  Edogawa-ku, where I live, has been completely transformed since the earthquake.   It had the highest level of Indians in the Japan.  99% of them vanished over the first 3-4 days.  Several friends who employed them at their companies
have been left holding the bag on incomplete projects.  Another friend who works at a real estate agency says that they now have 12 apartments under their management with outstanding rents and no way to contact the contractee.  But with the law, they also can't evict for several more months.   It is a shame as it IS going to give more examples of what can happen if you rent to a gaijin.   


On flip side, I have been surprised at the appreciation by some Japanese that I am still here. I personally feel more Japanese than American so it was never an option to abandon Japan.  But I have still been surprised at how many Japanese "notice" the fact that I stayed.


-Billy-Bob


Thanks BB. Well, another excellent example of how these people who panicked and ran away from Japan have not only made things difficult for themselves - as it should (actions do have consequences) but they have messed things up for the other foreigners in this country.


I think I mentioned many things about this in the past. That even now many of those who left keep trying to make excuses and try to deflect criticism shows that they haven't learned anything. There are many others who think that they do not deserve criticism or pay cuts - or even being terminated at work...


Well, Flyjin and Flyjin apologists, as someone so deftly pointed out, if you don't like the criticism in public or at work, then you have already proven that you are free to leave anytime you like without any ties to responsibility or the welfare of others or your company.


As another has pointed out: 


"They (Flyjin apologists) do not understand that "freedom: does *not* mean that you can do what you want when you want to do it. Nor does it mean that you do not need to take responsibility for your actions. We are living in sad times." 


Flyjin keywords? Link to: coward, irresponsible, irresponsibility, panic, foreigner, poor management, no risk management or assessment skills, no respect, poor leaders, no leadership, undependable, losers....


NOTE: To those Flyjin apologists who have threatened to kick my ass, let me just state one thing clearly. I do not, I repeat, do not allow you to insult me this way. When you refer to me as "Self-centered, overly righteous jerk" Make that, "MISTER Self-Centered, Overly Righteous Jerk." And smile when you say that. I will see you in the playground after school!

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Betrayal: Denial or Acceptance & Apology - The Dilemma for Flyjin

Here's at typical conversation with a foreigner who tried to convince me - and anyone who will listen - that even though he ran away during the early days of the Fukushima incident, that he believes he did not shirk his duties when he ran away from Tokyo (as if it matters what I think). I think the assertion is absolutely absurd. I also can't believe that this person really thinks that way either. STEVIE WONDER - HIGHER GROUND I believe that this kind of justification and immature rationalization is pretty common. It is not the sign of good mental health and well-being and shows a person being unable to rectify their actions with the image of who & what they perceive themselves to be.  The bottom line is that it is denial. I won't name this person. Why should I? Since he is far from admitting his error, I will spare him public embarrassment. I gather that, from his mail - on a Sunday morning no less - that he is under pressure for his recent foolishness and might lose his job. Perhaps he should. I would have fired him.   This person actually has something like this on his online bio (I'm paraphrasing to protect his identity): "I work with corporate clients in preparing executive teams and training them on how to handle crisis preparation and the implementation of that preparation."  What a laugh. He claims that he trains people for crisis management yet, he panicked and left? Now he is trying to spin and do damage control?  This is completely a case of "Don't do what I do, do what I say." Loser. I imagine that these sorts of people believe themselves to be responsible, logical adults. Their recent actions destroy that belief in their hearts - and they know it -  and they are desperately trying to convince everyone - in an effort to convince themselves - that it's all okay. They won't soon recover.  Just like a drug addict must first admit that they have a problem before they can recover - these people will probably have to admit that they screwed up or panicked as they feared for their lives. Here's what people must understand: You are all selfish assholes. I am a selfish asshole. We are all selfish assholes. Humans are selfish assholes. We do nothing in the spirit of altruism. Altruism does not exist. Nearly all compassionate and kind acts are related to self-interest.  Realize that and accept it. Get off your cloud. As I posted in Wakeup! Why I Don't Worry and You Shouldn't Either when describing the book "Awareness": "They (most people) never understand the loveliness and the beauty of this thing we call the human existence. You know, all the mystics - Catholic, Christian, non-Christian, no matter what their theology, no matter what their religion - are unanimous on one thing: that all is well, all is well. Though everything is a mess, all is well. Strange paradox to be sure. But, tragically, most people never get to see that all is well because they are asleep. They are having a nightmare." The book goes on to discuss the feelings of fear, hate, distrust, anger, love and addiction. It goes on to ask that the reader, whenever they are feeling these emotions, do an exercise and try to view themselves - and their life - from outside of their own bodies as if they were watching a movie. When you watch a movie and see two people fighting and getting angry or emotional, you do not get so riled up and involved. It is, after all, just a movie. As a movie, then, you can observe with a detachment that is very beneficial to your spirit. But, when you do not detach, when you are one of the people who is doing the fighting, then you become attached and engulfed and emotions such as anger, hate and fear cloud your thinking. I then made the point that staying calm and trying to view events from a different perspective is the first step towards calm and wise decision making: Of course we must make calm and logical decisions on how to protect ourselves and make sure our loved ones are safe, right? Exactly! And that is the point of this essay. How can one make calm and level-headed decisions while being swallowed up by unfounded fears and panic? The best decisions are the ones made in a cool and collected frame of mind; not when your animal and primitive fears kick in for a fight or flight response. I've always admired people who are wise, silent and calm. Think about that again, when do people make rash decisions? When they are emotional. Being in a state of agitated emotions is not conducive to making logical - nor wise - decisions. Is there anyone who can argue this point? You are a selfish jerk. So am I. So is everyone else. The difference? Some people are trying everyday to be mature enough (I hope I am) to admit it and are trying everyday to climb that mountain of truth to get closer to God: This guy who is trying to convince me that he did no wrong, on the other hand, is still trying to hold onto these false idols that he has identified himself with; A false idol that he has damaged or destroyed by his own actions. You are not that respectable, responsible businessman you thought you were. When fear struck your heart, you ran like a small child. Don't expect me to forgive you, even if I wanted to or even if I could. And why do you want me to forgive you? It doesn't matter what I think. It only matters what you think. Your being comes from the innermost of your heart - not the act you do or the mask you wear at work everyday.  The guy who, for some inexplicable reason, wants me to forgive me wrote: "You know, Mike, you and I have been here about the same amount of time. I first came here in 1982 and started living here in 1987. Been here since. I my 25 years, I never left Japan during an earthquake or tsunami. But I chose to leave two days after the Fukishima quake. Sea water being dumped on overheating reactors, no transparency from TEPCO, reactive (vs. proactive) responses....I made my choice to leave for a couple weeks. What is wrong with that? I dislike grouping ALL people who left in the "panic" category. I did not panic. I used my mind and made the choice to leave. And lumping ALL journalists as sensationalist for reporting what was happening is nonsense." I answered:  Do you read or write Japanese? Did you get your news from NHK? Where do you get the idea that I lumped all journalists as sensationalist? That's simply not true. The problem: As an executive at your company, did you run away while expecting your Japanese staff to stay on and work? Or did you do the responsible thing and at least tell them to go home and care for their families? I suspect the former. You can try to convince me all you want of the rationality of your actions, I am not your judge. You need to convince your staff. How long have you been at your current position? 3 months? Excellent management shows leadership and risk management and assessment abilities. Did you?”

He skirted the questions and responded with: 

"This has nothing to do with one's employer, let alone one's skill set or even one's job. It is/was an individual choice based on many things including perceived safety and risk to one's health. End of story."

Once again, I gave him examples. I wrote: 

Here are examples of good leaders and bad in Tokyo Crisis Update: Nuclear Meltdown, Drama Queens and Coca-Cola: http://bit.ly/evSGIE  

And about basic risk management and assessment in Fear, Rationality and Risk: http://bit.ly/enk0RL  

And what a leader is in What is a Leader?: http://bit.ly/dYbdrk  

If you do not fulfill these requirements, you should resign. But, maybe not... (Your company) has run away from Japan three times already... This just shows the quality of the company... And why should the company and her employees aspire to be better than their leaders? I'm not the one who needs to do the soul-searching here, my friend. ”

Again, his response fails to address the issues and blows smoke: 

"You are certainly talking a lot of risks with things you do not know, Mike. I would love to come on your radio show and have a chat....."

Now he is kissing my a*s. I wrote: 

"Please! Let's tell the truth. You made no judgements on risk. How could you have? You panicked! How many people died at Three Mile Island? Zero. On the morning of Monday the 14th, Fukushima was still listed as a level 4 crisis. Three Mile was level 5 and the Japanese system for safety level of radiation is almost 30% lower than what is used in the west. Admit it to yourself that you did zero research to get facts. Three Mile Island was evacuated for 10 miles around that plant. Fukushima was 18 miles! And we in Tokyo are upwind 150 miles from Fukushima! 

Dealing with people using facts and logic is unfair when they are dealing with emotions, I know. Finally, since he realized he couldn't get sympathy or favor from me (why does he need that anyway?) He wrote: "Good-bye, Mike..." What a useless wimp. Here, by the way, is a Talking Points Memo article that contradicts his timeline. I guess it's not so hard to contradict the memory of someone in a panic. Panic, as we have seen over and over, does not lead to good decisions. Just as great ideas when you are high or stoned are usually not great ideas the next day when you are sober. Ultimately, that these people continually go on public forums and try to defend their actions is proof that they know in their hearts that they failed us, Japan and themselves. Think about it: When someone fails or betrays you; when they run away from you without talking to you first; do you accept an apology from them on a public forum, or do you wish for them to come see you and look you straight into the eyes and apologize and show some sincerity and try to make amends? Who doesn't expect those who have transgressed to do the difficult part and apologize in person? No self-respecting person would accept anything less, either. No mature adult would think they could get away with anything less. Ultimately, those who ran away can turn this into a positive growing experience and admit they were wrong or they can continue with their immaturity and try to hide their shame. Which do you think is psychologically healthier? It is obvious that this guy, since he is easily over 50, will not take the spiritual growth route. One would have hoped he had done that in High School. Here is some excellent commentary from Linkedin from a guy named David K. who is an executive in Japan: I am a believer that people should be evaluated for their 360 degree leadership credentials, not fired upon them. However, should they disappear when a crisis arises, I don't believe they should be in the leadership function as their actions affect not only their families, but also the families of all staff they are managing. (emphasis mine) It is my firm belief that some of the best Japanese and ex-pat managers in all industries are here, right now, rebuilding. Some great expat managers who left during the height of the crisis have taken their families back home and already returned. As long as the latter managers communicated well with their staff, they will re-integrate well with the organization. Many companies with a blend of Japanese and international staff who have kept their entire management structure in place throughout this ordeal will prosper heavily. Those with dismantled and non-trusting structures will suffer quite heavily as they unknowingly put the wrong people into positions of leadership. Now they know. It's not a question of how perfect a candidates credentials are when you hire him/her that matters, it's much more a question of how thorough your candidate vetting process is that determines whether your organization deserves to sink or swim when a true crisis hits. We're seeing this now and we'll see it many more times before retirement finally kicks in. I completely agree.

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