He also told a story that was given to him by a personnel manager at a Japanese Company. This example in itself shows the very complex relationship that a lot of Japanese students have to creativity, though this is viewing it from a Westernised perspective. Japanese people are creative but in their own way. Their attitude is that you get along by getting along. The key is to keep up a good relationship with all the group members and not try to change its direction.
Authority comes with age and dedication.
If one analyses the history of Japan's industry and its focus on production there is one striking fact. Japan has, since the country started to direct its industry towards production of technical components with some exceptions copied already existing products. What is remarkable about the copies is that they, with very few exceptions, have been better than the original since they have been made cheaper but with higher quality. Though now the changes are so rapid and fundamental that if you want to run a competitive and successful business, you have to lead the development and not observe and simply follow your competitor. To lead these rapid changes within the world business today, creativity is the main criteria.