Stephen Givens is a corporate lawyer based in Tokyo.
Evasion of difficult subjects is hazardous to corporate survival. As old Japan hands know, tatemae is a special mode of the Japanese language employed to obscure and soften "difficult" subjects.
Opinion
Toshiba's strategic plan reveals an elaborate work of 'tatemae'
Deciphering the Japanese codes designed to obscure difficult subjects
Toshiba explained Kurumatani had resigned for personal reasons. © Reuters
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