JAPAN has a very unique culture and history, and according to this interesting article, they combine with the language to make Japanese leaders have a poor grasp of marketing as we know it in the West. An insightful read.
http://m.adage.com/article?articleSection=guestcolumnists&articleSectionName=GuestColumnists&articleid=http%3A%2F%2Fadage.com%2Fcolumns%2Fpost%3Farticle_id%3D242775