Departments
UNMEI KYOODOOTAI
運命共同体
"community of fate"
Although the term “community of fate” is a relatively recent addition to the Japanese language, the concept is perhaps as old as Japan itself.
During the feudal era, the success or failure of a feudal lord, or daimyoo (大名) in battle could mean life or death for hundreds or thousands of his vassals. After the founding of the modern state of Japan, pundits reflected that Japan, as an isolated, misunderstood island nation, or shimaguni (島国), would require the united efforts of all its citizens in order to survive in a hostile world.
Today, the concept of the unmei-kyoodootai is most applicable in the corporate context. The company is a collection of individuals who share a common fate. Therefore, Japanese workers typically feel a strong sense of obligation toward their employers.