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Comment by jaipilot747 | Hacker News Reader

> "Very few people know that I had to do that thing which no business owner should ever do – lay people off. And I've had to do it twice."

The difference in how other countries view laying people off, contrasted with the US labor market is worth highlighting.

I understand the arguments about how at-will employment brings flexibility and opportunity for both employers and employees but seeing a CEO feel actually responsible for his employees in a downsizing is refreshing.

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Yes. In one of his interviews he says when they downsized, he and his employees went for dinner where he cried his heart out and apologized to the 20 part timers(!) he had to lay off. And that he was able to hire three of them back when his business took off again.

I remember reading that some Japanese electronics company, I want to say it might’ve been Panasonic, kept the TV wing of their business going for many years after it ceased to be profitable because they didn’t want to displace all the employees working in it.

Japan has problems with work culture (off the books overtime, obligation to go drinking with coworkers, etc) but the increased corporate loyalty towards employees isn’t one of them.

Just like when Toyota sent all their assembly plant workers on paid training courses instead of furloughing them like GM and Ford

> seeing a CEO feel actually responsible for his employees in a downsizing is refreshing

Too naive. This is a Japanese way of saying "I don't give a shit."

I don't think it is, not for a business such as the one described in the article. I'm currently living in Japan, and in a relatively short amount of time I've personally met several business owners who might have acted similarly, sincerely.

There is a large amount of small and niche businesses here which are not profit-driven.

I am inclined to agree with you, e.g. the number of very long-running family businesses in Japan, traditional arts being kept alive, etc.

otoh unless you've lived in Japan for a very long time it's pretty hard to tell what is sincere and what isn't in a public forum.

Weekly afterworks and 12 hours work a day will force you to feel like a family wether you like it or not.

Also if your mindset festers they will stop being polite which is way worse.

I took that to mean that if you fail to continue to be productive then your colleagues will cease to be polite to you, is that correct?

It's up for debate how productive Japan's companies really are.

Studies show it is one of the least productive/efficient among developed economies, with all the unnecessary meetings, lack of quick decision-making, and outdated processes.

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