empathy

In a world where corporate leaders often earn millions while workers face job insecurity, the story of Haruka Nishimatsu, former CEO of Japan Airlines, stands out as a rare example of humility and responsibility in leadership. During a financial crisis that threatened massive layoffs, Nishimatsu made an extraordinary decision: he cut his own salary to less than what many pilots earned, choosing to absorb the sacrifice himself instead of passing it to employees.
He rode public buses to work, wore inexpensive suits, and ate in the company cafeteria alongside mechanics and flight attendants. His philosophy was simple — leaders should not hide behind closed doors while workers face hardship. By sharing the same struggles as his staff, he strengthened trust in a company facing its darkest hour.
His actions helped Japan Airlines stabilize during turbulent years, and employees who lived through that period often speak of him with deep respect. Nishimatsu believed that a company’s greatest asset was its people, and that no leader deserves comfort while their team suffers.
In an age of widening inequality, his story remains a reminder that true leadership is measured not by profit margins, but by empathy and integrity.
#Leadership #JapanAirlines #HumanityInBusiness #CorporateResponsibility #Empathy

In Japan, the first three years of schooling are not focused on exams or academic competition. Instead, children spend this foundational period learning kindness, respect, cooperation, and emotional awareness. The goal is to build strong character before academic pressure begins.
Students clean their own classrooms, serve lunch to classmates, and learn to resolve conflicts peacefully. Teachers emphasize courtesy, responsibility, and respect for community. These practices shape children who grow not only as students but as citizens.
Japan believes that academic brilliance means little without empathy and social responsibility. This early focus on values is part of why Japanese schools are known not just for discipline, but for producing well-balanced individuals.
#JapanEducation #Empathy #SchoolCulture #ChildDevelopment #HumanValues