Japan Expats moving to HK....should we let them in?

[HKITperson]

My company gave 50,000yen (enough for 2 or 3 bullet train rides to Osaka) to every single Japanese employee based in Tokyo and told them they can work in the Osaka office and long as they want. Actually, only a few took up the offer and most are happy to stay in Tokyo and keep working as if nothing is happening. We officially closed the Tokyo office, but every day people kept showing up for work. Thats their choice. The 3 or 4 expat employees came to HK for a few days, but they are now back in Osaka office.

Interesting that the locals stayed in Tokyo and the 3-4 Expat employees legged it at the first opportunity. So they are back now... how wonderful and nice of them to come back. So is there any particular make up in the Japanese genes that makes them inpartial to radiation as opposed to the Expats?

[luckycat]

Is this not the pig and chicken (ham and eggs) debate?

Anyway, my two cents is this. It sounds easy to criticise those who are fleeing - but really, what loyalty do the employees owe to their respective companies other than to honour the terms of the employment contracts? What is so wrong about expat workers worrying for them and their own and wanting to leave? They didn't cause the mess unlike, as an example, the bankers in the UK who now don't like the increased taxes being waved in their direction and are fleeing as a result. I would happily torch all of them.

[Char Siu King]

It’s a basic fight or flight response to a stressful and potentially dangerous situation. Expats and local well-off HK people alike rushed to leave during the initial outbreak of SARS, for example. I did not live in HK then but saw the hordes of HK people arriving into my town in Canada, and remember reading articles about expats leaving with their families (not sure of the exact numbers but there certainly was some). SARS, much like the current situation in Japan, should not be taken lightly but also there was no need for utter panic and a desperate need to leave especially considering the virus spreads much easier on an airplane than if the people feeling would have just stayed put and thought rationally instead of letting emotions get the best of them. However, what did many people do? They panicked. Just like the expats feeling Japan. It’s during times of adversity when character is tested and it seems like the expats fleeing Japan have revealed their true character much like some of the expats and well-off HK people that fled HK during the early stages of SARS.

It’s all quite saddening and when/if the next potentially dangerous situation hits HK (whatever it is and whenever it is) I hope I have the strength to stay and help out the community instead of selfishly fleeing at the first opportunity.

[Football16]

Yes, the new arrivals in HK would be among the first to flee HK - true.

It does a bit surprise me that the HK gov't would be so bold as to make this highly public. Hey it is business - I get that - but advertising that you are helping remove expats makes it look this caring for Japan in times of crisis is actually quite shallow.

It is good business to let them in I suspect as they will pay taxes to HK so that is good. Possibly hire locals if they need to set up here. Financial services is a good thing too for HK.

[luckycat]

Understatement of the year:

Financial services is a good thing too for HK.

[MovingIn07]

Financial services is one industry. Building an entire economy on one industry is never a good thing.

[luckycat]

Financial services is one industry. Building an entire economy on one industry is never a good thing.

I propose MovingIn07 as new leader of the UK

[virago]

So just as I thought... an article in the WSJ

"TOKYO—Life in Japan is showing tentative signs of returning to normal, but a fresh challenge may be facing the expatriates and Japanese who left and are now trickling back to their offices: how to cope with ostracism and anger from their colleagues who have worked through the crisis.

One foreigner, a fluent Japanese speaker at a large Japanese company, said that his Japanese manager and colleagues were "furious" with him for moving to Osaka for three days last week and that he felt he was going to have to be very careful to avoid being ostracized upon returning to work in Tokyo."

and....

"If I had left as the president, my role as a leader would have been diminished," said Gerry Dorizas, the president of Volkswagen AG's operations in Japan, who has been in that role four years. "We've been very transparent."

You are probably making a bit more sense now with your posting with this comment. What you are saying is more a cultural differences about Japan based around work units, team work and leadership.

I don't have too much knowledge about Japanese culture but for expats like this guy from Volkswagan has pointed out you need to understand the consequences of leaving. If for any expat that doesn't understand these differences (or are not advised properly about this before making this decision) then they shouldn't be there in the first place.

[jaykay]

Interesting that the locals stayed in Tokyo and the 3-4 Expat employees legged it at the first opportunity. So they are back now... how wonderful and nice of them to come back. So is there any particular make up in the Japanese genes that makes them inpartial to radiation as opposed to the Expats?

Just as in SARS time both expats and locals left. It happens, get on with life. Loyalty, what a load of BS. How many companies would be loyal to you? In business everyone is expendable, your kids are not. Whether you think it's the right or wrong call those people made their own choice.

Does hk really want people this stupid?

Well let's see. 2003, SARS - both expats and locals run. 2008, BEA - one text message sparks a bank run. 2009, Piggy Flu - tourists imprisoned in a Hotel. 2011, Earthquake / Tsunami / Radiation - stores emptied of table salt in lass than half a day. I'd say it'd be more like a case of "Welcome to Hong Kong........you'll like it here..."

[Creative83]

also it does occur to me that the health risks for those fleeing with kids are also pretty irrational. The risk to health of Hong Kong pollution (a real and tangible risk) is almost certainly higher than the risks of radiation. So they are probably exposing their kids to greater harm. Indeed the flight over here will expose the kids to a much higher dose than staying in Tokyo.

Does hk really want people this stupid?

We don't even need the kids excuse. SARS is contagious enough that anyone is susceptible to contamination, even the next guy who did not exhibit the symptom. Issue with viruses is that you don't know the person around you has it or not so it's hardly preventable. Japanese radiation can be measurable and drinking water can be prevented by PET bottles sent from elsewhere.

Surely, expats did leave, but so did the locals if given the chance. I doubt the Hong Kong people gave a single thought to expats during 2003. They're probably just thinking of leaving themselves because it's the smart thing to do while things stabilize.