Wow We've Been Busy!

It seems like we've been in Japan for months now! We have just packed so much into these past four days... More than a dozen meetings, and multiple wonderful meals and adventures in Tokyo.

Apologies to our loyal readers (Hi Mom!)... We had planned on giving daily updates on the blog, but living the experience has taken precedence over documenting the experience. But fear not! We collectively have thousands of photos and countless stories and reflections that will ultimately be shared on the Internet, probably once we land back in beautiful Palo Alto.

For now, please accept this brief and humble update.

It has been an incredible and eye opening experience. We have been most impressed with the gracious accommodations made by all of the companies and individuals we have visited. Japan has exceeded its reputation of being the kindest of hosts.

In addition to unanimously warm receptions, we have also been able to engage our hosts in candid conversations about the changing nature of Japan's corporate environment. To generalize, the Stanford business education stresses and celebrates entrepreneurship and respectful iconoclasm. This approach contrasts with the traditional Japanese hierarchical corporate structure - one that has worked quite successfully in the past, yet is changing at an accelerating pace.

We will continue to probe on this point in particular, and test our individual hypotheses on the pros and cons of such changes.

More details to come, but for now we are all recovering from a wonderful sobe and sake party, thanks to Daisuke's family, and we are packing our bags and preparing for journeys outside of Tokyo. Coming next, we have Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagano, and Atami. Please check back for updates! For now, here are some fun photos and videos from this past week...