Junichi Horie Principal Lawyer
Legal Cultural Differences between
Australia and Japan
Advantage Partnership Lawyers prides itself on its cross cultural skill and knowledge of international law.
The law firm specialises in managing and assisting Japanese corporate clients and companies, and maintains a unique and competitive edge. The job of a lawyer is not just to win cases - it's ensuring the client's needs are completely satisfied.
Our staff has the ability to interpret and translate international laws, while understanding and maintaining cultural relevance.
Hofstede's cultural dimensions can help us understand the differences between Japanese and Australian culture. These differences are summarised below:
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1. Individualism
versus collectivism. Japan scores high on collectivism where Australia
is among the most individualistic cultures. For Japanese culture,
this means there is a partiality towards the common good. In contrast,
Australians expect to choose their own affiliations and pursue their
own goals.
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2. Large versus
small power distance. Power distance refers to the extent to which
a society accepts a hierarchical order and how power within an organisation
is distributed. Japanese culture accepts a large power distance
where in Australia it is relatively low.
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3. Strong versus
weak uncertainty avoidance. Japanese culture ranks amongst the highest
in this category. The Japanese maintain rigid codes of belief and
tend to remain longer with their present employer. Conversely, Australians
maintain a more relaxed atmosphere in both their professional and
personal lives.
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4. Masculinity
versus femininity. Japan is considered by Hofstede to be the most
masculine culture. Masculinity refers to a preference for 'achievement,
heroism, assertiveness and material success'. On the other hand,
Australia is considered to be more feminine with a preference for
relationships, modesty and quality of life.
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As illustrated by Hofestede's
cultural dimensions the differences between Australian and Japanese culture are significant. These differences have an important impact on the way business is conducted internationally. At Advantage Partnership, our experience with Japanese culture is unsurpassed, providing our clients with the satisfaction they deserve.
Reference: Nobes, C, & Parker, R (2006). Comparative International Accounting (Ninth Edition). Essex: Pearson Education Limited.
