Old and New Cultures
March 24th 2007 16:24
The International Herald Tribune reports on the popularity of a new television show, in:
"Japan Embraces Vulture Culture",
The article states: "Ohtomo said NHK decided to make the program after seeing the intense popular interest in mergers. The first episode attracted an impressive 3.5 million viewers in Tokyo alone, according to Video Research, a TV rating agency.
"The show struck a chord among Japanese because M&A is suddenly something that is close to our lives," Ohtomo said. "Japan is still trying to decide whether M&A is a good thing, or a bad thing."
The level of interest was apparent one recent evening in a Tokyo subway station, where commuting salarymen thumbed tabloids with articles speculating on the foreign vultures' next victims.
"One commuter, Nobutaka Yamada, a 37-year-old bank manager, said Japanese had to adapt to the competition, or risk getting left behind in the global economy. "Japan must learn to live with these vultures," Yamada said, "or it will face takeover from an even bigger vulture, China."
Quite a contrast to the calming site of the Hoshi family, who have owned their family business since 717, that is, 46 generations, and who seek out other family owned businesses around the world to join a loose group who share knowledge about enduring in a complex world....
"An association of family and bicentenary companies, the Henokiens intend to enlarge their family circle.
"Today, there are 38 members: 15 Italian, 10 French, 4 German, 1 Dutch, 1 from Northern Ireland, 4 Japanese, 1 belgian and 2 swiss. At the head of their companies, unique, dynamic managers. In 1981, recognising and co-opting each other, they formed a group, creating a restricted and rigorous international organisation: the Henokiens.
"Henokiens Association membership criteria are: company longevity – a minimum age of 200 years – and permanence – the family must be owner of the company or the majority share holder - one member of the founder must still manage the company or be a member of the board – and the company must be in good financial health. In addition, being modern is a final requirement.
"Created in 1981, the objective of the Association is the development of its membership throughout the world around a common philosophy: the value of the concept of the family company, real alternative to the multinationals.
"It is not a brotherhood, the sectors in which the members carry on their activities are in fact highly diversified: craft industries, trades, services, publishing, heavy industry…
Nor is it a businesses club (certain firms may even be competitors). The Henokiens do not exchange services, they exchange only ideas."
"Japan Embraces Vulture Culture",
The article states: "Ohtomo said NHK decided to make the program after seeing the intense popular interest in mergers. The first episode attracted an impressive 3.5 million viewers in Tokyo alone, according to Video Research, a TV rating agency.
"The show struck a chord among Japanese because M&A is suddenly something that is close to our lives," Ohtomo said. "Japan is still trying to decide whether M&A is a good thing, or a bad thing."
The level of interest was apparent one recent evening in a Tokyo subway station, where commuting salarymen thumbed tabloids with articles speculating on the foreign vultures' next victims.
"One commuter, Nobutaka Yamada, a 37-year-old bank manager, said Japanese had to adapt to the competition, or risk getting left behind in the global economy. "Japan must learn to live with these vultures," Yamada said, "or it will face takeover from an even bigger vulture, China."
Quite a contrast to the calming site of the Hoshi family, who have owned their family business since 717, that is, 46 generations, and who seek out other family owned businesses around the world to join a loose group who share knowledge about enduring in a complex world....
"An association of family and bicentenary companies, the Henokiens intend to enlarge their family circle.
"Today, there are 38 members: 15 Italian, 10 French, 4 German, 1 Dutch, 1 from Northern Ireland, 4 Japanese, 1 belgian and 2 swiss. At the head of their companies, unique, dynamic managers. In 1981, recognising and co-opting each other, they formed a group, creating a restricted and rigorous international organisation: the Henokiens.
"Henokiens Association membership criteria are: company longevity – a minimum age of 200 years – and permanence – the family must be owner of the company or the majority share holder - one member of the founder must still manage the company or be a member of the board – and the company must be in good financial health. In addition, being modern is a final requirement.
"Created in 1981, the objective of the Association is the development of its membership throughout the world around a common philosophy: the value of the concept of the family company, real alternative to the multinationals.
"It is not a brotherhood, the sectors in which the members carry on their activities are in fact highly diversified: craft industries, trades, services, publishing, heavy industry…
Nor is it a businesses club (certain firms may even be competitors). The Henokiens do not exchange services, they exchange only ideas."
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