Lessons from Japan every leader should steal

When I was 19, I lived in Japan for two years, and before going back recently, I fully expected to experience a tidal wave of change. After all, here in America, you don’t need 30 years for things to look different. You just need a new iPhone release. Individually, socially, technologically, everything shifts constantly. So I braced myself for that same level of change in Japan.

What surprised me most is that it simply wasn’t there. Yes, the technology is more advanced, the services more efficient, and the cosplay scene at Tokyo Disney has evolved into what I can only describe as a level of artistic commitment that deserves its own Olympic category. But the essence of the culture, the way people treat each other, the collective mindset, the commitment to courtesy, has stayed remarkably consistent. And that contrast made the biggest impression on me.

As I paid closer attention, I realized there were several powerful lessons that translate directly into how we run our businesses.

Here are the biggest lessons from the trip that can elevate any business:

1. Clear Expectations Shape Behavior (Shitsuke in Action)

One of the first things that struck me was the trash situation. In Japan, trash cans aren’t everywhere. In fact, sometimes they are nowhere. I once carried trash around an entire station because there wasn’t a single bin. Why? Because the expectation is simple: take your trash with you. And because everyone does, there is no litter. They achieved the result everyone wants not by making it easier, but by setting a clear standard and holding to it.

Japan stays clean not because it is convenient, but because expectations are clear and universally followed. The same applies in business. When people know exactly how things are done, consistency follows. Clarity creates compliance.

2. A Unified Message Creates a Unified Experience (Irrashaimase!)

One of the first things you hear when entering a Japanese store is a cheerful “irasshaimase,” meaning welcome and thank you for coming. What is incredible is how universal it is. From a tiny 7 Eleven to a massive department store, every employee uses the same greeting, with the same intention, every time.

If one person calls it out, someone in the back echoes it. It is not a script. They genuinely mean it. This is omotenashi, the Japanese spirit of hospitality.
Imagine if every member of your team delivered the same level of consistent, genuine welcome. Your brand experience would instantly elevate.

3. Elevate the Small Roles and Everything Improves (Omotenashi at Its Best)

Taxis in Japan are a masterclass in pride of workmanship. The cars are spotless, the drivers wear white gloves, and they treat you like a valued guest. One driver took us to the restaurant we had requested, only to find that it was closed when we arrived. He didn’t just drop us off and leave us standing there to figure out our next move.
Instead, he went inside to double check that the sign wasn’t a mistake and confirm that they really were closed for the day. When they were, he didn’t shrug and drive away. He drove us to a different restaurant he trusted, walked us inside, and stayed until he knew we were seated and taken care of.

That is omotenashi, anticipating needs before they are spoken and delivering service that exceeds expectations. When even the small roles in your business are treated with this level of intention, the entire customer experience elevates.

4. Assume the Best in Others (The Mindset of Wa)

Driving in Japan is a live demonstration of wa, the principle of harmony. Even in the busiest cities, I didn’t hear a single horn. Drivers assume others are doing their best. Our friend summed it up perfectly: “Why would I be angry? They are trying to get where they need to go, just like me.”

It is not passive. It is intentional. It prioritizes understanding over ego.

Now imagine your team adopting even a fraction of that mindset. Everyday friction like miscommunications, missed steps, or tone misunderstandings shifts when the default is curiosity instead of frustration.

Assuming positive intent doesn’t remove accountability. It creates trust. It changes emails, meetings, and the emotional climate clients feel the moment they walk in.
Things run smoother when people stop honking at each other, literally and figuratively.

5. Continuous Improvement Creates Exceptional Experiences (Kaizen in Everyday Life)

If you ever want proof that kaizen, continuous improvement, is woven into everyday Japanese life, just step into a public bathroom. Even in small or remote areas, you will see thoughtful touches everywhere: kiddie seats on the wall so parents can secure their children, kid sized sinks, and even tiny urinals in women’s restrooms so little boys can comfortably go with their moms.

In men’s restrooms, I saw wall mounted child seats so dads could safely set their kids down while using the facilities. And yes, the warm toilet seats and bidet functions don’t hurt either.

None of these features are flashy or expensive. They simply remove friction, anticipate needs, and make everyone’s day a little easier. That is kaizen. Small, consistent improvements that create a dramatically better experience over time.
Imagine bringing that same mindset into your business. Not major overhauls. Just small refinements, smoothing out tiny pain points, improving client flow, or adjusting the language your team uses.

When you elevate the details, the entire customer experience becomes more thoughtful, more efficient, and noticeably more caring.

There were many more lessons from the trip, but these stood out the most because they’re simple, human, and immediately usable. You don’t need a cultural overhaul to see the impact. You don’t need a new system, a new software, or a new consultant. You just need one small, intentional shift.

Try implementing even one of these ideas this week. Maybe it’s setting firmer expectations, tightening up your team’s greeting, or smoothing out a tiny friction point in your client experience. It doesn’t have to be big. In fact, it shouldn’t be. The power is in the consistency.

A little more clarity, a little more intention, a little more kaizen repeated over time can transform not only how your business runs but how people feel when they interact with it. And that feeling is what separates a forgettable business from an unforgettable one.

Proactive, Productive, and Profitable,
Dino