East Asia

This week we looked in to the increasingly important region of East Asia, and its countries.
All thought I have always been passionate about this region and especially about China and Japans Culture I was still amazed by all the information that the lecturer team exposed.

This region represents a quarter of the total population of the world and its main constituents are:
• People's Republic of China (Including Hong Kong and Macau)
• Japan
• South Korea (Republic of Korea)
• North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)
• Republic of China (Taiwan)
• Mongolia
• Siberia, Russia (considered either East Asia or North Asia)
The most predominant languages are Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Mongolian and the religions that the practice are Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese folk religion, Shinto, Shamanism and even Christianity.

All of these political entities join together and as a result create a unique, rare but yet exquisite way of life. And even though it's a big mixture, diversity is not so easily perceived, due to the fact that through out history, many of these East Asian societies where part of China and its cultural sphere. That's why these cultures are at the same time similar, unique and diverse.

Although several religions are fallowed and practiced; these societies have a strong tradition and legacy and they are all influenced by Confucianism, Daoism (or Taoism) and Buddhism.

Contrary to what the speakers said, these are not religions; there are philosophies that represent a set of moral and ethical values that people must comply.

Buddhism’s Six Principles of Harmony (amtfweb):
1. Sharing the same viewpoints or goals,
2. Abiding by the same precepts,
3. Living and practicing together harmoniously,
4. Not quarrelling,
5. Experiencing the inner peace and happiness from practicing together harmoniously and
6. Sharing benefits harmoniously.

Based on the suggested lecture of this week: Lee, Jangho, Thomas W. Roehl, & Soonkyoo Choe. 2000. What Makes Management Style Similar and Distinct Across Borders? Growth, Experience and Culture in Korean and Japanese Firms. Journal of International Business Studies, 31(4): 631-52.

The lecturers emphasized the presentation on Japan, Korea. They analyzed both countries management model of this country and compare it.

Letter on I started to think on the proper question to make in order to learn a little bit more and I found myself reading even more shocking information about this economies.

(Rashid 2008)As one looks over the many momentous events that took place in the 20th century, such as the two World Wars and the Cold War, one lesser noted event stands out sharply for its long-term significance. It is the lesson East Asia has taught the World--7% economic growth is possible. And this growth can extend for decades. First Japan, then Taiwan and South Korea, then China, all have shown that 7% is not a one-shot event but a real possibility.
Ten years on from the 1997 financial crisis, East Asia is wealthier, poverty rates are lower and growth is faster than ever before. According to the World Bank, developing economies in East Asia grew by an average of 9.5 per cent in 2006.

Low income countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Mongolia also grew at an impressive 8 to 10 per cent. According to World Bank estimates, in 2006 the number of people in East Asia living on less than US$2 a day fell to around 29 per cent of the population.


And this is only the top of the iceberg, I'm sure that this region will manage to keep surprising the world. (SinoCast 2008) In December of 2008 Leaders of China, Japan and South Korea agree to create a logistics system in East Asia that is seamlessly linked, environmental-friendly, safe and efficient, in a bid to promote the convenient mutual trade and economic growth. The three countries have reached consensus in starting trilateral cooperation in energy, logistics, customs, industries, and finance. The leaders expected a closer partnership would help them fight against the global financial turmoil triggered by the subprime debt crisis in the US.

The three sides will also strengthen the financial dialogue and cooperation among their finance ministries, central banks and other financial regulatory organs to concentrate effort on the stabilization of the regional financial market.


After doing all this readings I started to think on Confucianism and Daoism and realized that perhaps this influences and this "way of live" it's what has made these countries the miracles to watch and the role models to all poor economies and developing countries.

But the answer to this question had to be postponed because of the complexity of the research that had to be made. In juxtaposition I asked my self a simpler question.

Japan is the most evolved, solid economy of this region, what makes this country so different from others, what has this country made in order to become one of the most powerful countries of the world without having the richness of countries like Colombia? Is it some how the influence of Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism?

Japan was the first country of this region to become a "miracle" without any comparative advantage, and with a lack of territory. After the war, and starting "with nothing", the country rebuild itself into an astonishing country and became to grow in to what is today, a role model for many countries.

(Beech 2008) Until recently, the idea of Japanese values conjured up little more than a picture of workaholic company drones. But throughout the world, the world's second largest economy has suddenly been thrust into the unfamiliar position of exemplar. Developing countries such as Vietnam are studying how Japan refashioned its war-ravaged economy into a technological powerhouse that still maintains its cultural identity. Industrializing nations are looking for ecological guidance from a place that has managed to become an economic giant while still embracing a conservationist ethos. Still others gravitate toward Japan because of its trendy comic books and, not least, for its generous checkbook.

One key principle is an ability to modernize without losing its roots. "The history of Japan in modern times," says Kazuo Ogoura, president of the Japan Foundation, "is to have achieved advanced economic progress and democratic maturity without having abandoned cultural identity and traditions." Environmental protection is another cherished value in a country that is home to the Kyoto Protocol. "The leaders of Japanese industry are aware that climate change is an important issue, so they are very focused on energy efficiency," says Takashi Hongo, a special adviser to the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, which provides financing for poorer nations. "We can help developing countries enjoy the good life but to do so in a sustainable way."

Bybliography

China, Japan, South Korea to Smooth Trilateral Logistics. (2008, December 15). SinoCast China Business Daily News. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from ProQuest Asian Business and Reference database. (Document ID: 1612601351).

Hannah Beech. (2008, December). Japan Reaches Out. Time International, 172(21), 30. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from Research Library Core database. (Document ID: 1602001031).

Matthew Rees. (2008, December). Friends or Foes? Review of Finance & Development, 45(4), 51. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1622189741).

Robert Madsen, Richard Katz. (2009). Comparing Crises. Foreign Affairs, 88(3), 159-166. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1688945331).

Salim Rashid. (2009). The Magic of 7% Per Capita Growth. Society, 46(2), 108. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from Research Library Core database. (Document ID: 1679788101).

Tianbo Li and Gillian Owen Moreira (2005). The Influence of Confucianism and Buddhism on Chinese Business: the Case of Aveiro, Portugal. University of Aveiro
Portugal. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from www.immi.se/intercultural/nr19/tianbo

Kejun Xu, Illinois Institute of Technology. The Implications of Confucian and Daoist Values for Multinationals in Intercultural Business Communication

Henry Suen Sai-On Cheung, Reuben Mondejar. Managing ethical behaviour in construction organizations in Asia:How do the teachings of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhismand Globalization influence ethics management?

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