Japanese and Koreans work very hard and their rigid work culture makes them very suitable for factory work.
But it’s completely unsuitable for high end knowledge base and creative work.
Their culture will not produce a Facebook or even a TikTok. Let alone a Google.
They will not produce an ARM or an Intel.
They will not produce a RollsRoyce (aircraft) or a Boeng.
Inventions in most cases are the result of the motivation of one single person. I am not sure about South Korea, but in Japan, individual achievements are less encouraged than group achievements.
For example, the annual school sports events. We learned from the Britishers to become 1st, 2nd, and 3rd individually. But, in Japan, a group of Yellow, Purple, and White color groups, not individuals, compete against each other in such an event.
Each group of students participates and receives scores in each of the sports events. The scores are tallied together and, for example, the White group, Purple group, and Yellow group get 84, 80, and 78 marks respectively. So, one group is the champion, one is the runner up and the next is 3rd.
Every individual in a group gets an equal prize but gets different certifications as a group.
It is the same in school annual exams. Someone gets A+, B-, or C+, etc. in the exam subjects. But, the results are not totaled and no single person is declared the 1st Boy/ Girl or 3rd Boy/ girl after a final exam.
I gave the examples above to say that Japanese society is not individualistic but group-oriented. They are trained to reflect this group activity when at the workplace. This less individualism is reflected in their work culture, as well.
So, not individualism but group activities are encouraged in the society. Because of participation by a group, Japanese manufacturers have been able to produce high-quality factory goods for more than a century in modern times.
Don't expect Einstein or Newton to be born in Japan. But, you get good quality goods produced in the factories. Go to BD, Japanese are constructing Dhaka Metrorail with no faults in planning, designing, and execution of planning/ construction.
Note how they would react/ behave even for a one-day delay deviated from the intended schedule. They will just do overwork the next day and cover up the delays.
