Japanese Work Rules

Leslie Helm’s front-page article (March 17) describes the Japanese as a curious nation whose citizens study hard, work hard and exchange loyalty on the job for career employment. Yet many of the characteristics described were found in the U.S. of 30 or 40 years ago including the phrase “organization man.”

Before succumbing to Japan bashing, let us remember that the America of the 1950s featured regular rises in productivity, scholastic achievement scores and living standards. American firms of that era expanded in world markets; American technology and management practices were widely emulated and envied abroad. The Japanese today are simply applying an approach we once thought of as American, and obtaining the same positive results. Perhaps we have a lesson to (re)learn.

DANIEL J.B. MITCHELL

Professor, Anderson Graduate

School of Management, UCLA