From Abenomics to host of Olympic 2020 Crown; Japan is all set for having next round of Japan Economic boom .By hosting Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Second round of Infrastructure and development programs are already on Path. Japan consumers? confidence has increased coupled with Industrial Spending?s, new buzz words along with growing international attention. Post 2011 March tsunami a massive change both from Japan domestic views and international arena.

World Class public transportation systems, accommodation and other infrastructure plans have taken

new dimension of defining Tokyo; To mention, Designing the Olympic 2020 stadium is itself been a big event here, 85% of the Olympic venues are planned within eight kilometers of the Olympic Village, making everything Very compact and easily accessible. And not to mention within this compact area some 10 million spectators are expected to visit for the Olympics, plus many of the 35 million people that already live in Tokyo. New Robotic Security systems and sensors are awaited to welcome 2020 Tourists.

India and Japan, both are developing countries in the Asian continent. Each country has made its mark in many fields and created an image for itself. Both countries participate heavily in world activities. Yet there are contrasts between the two countries. Even though Japan is a smaller country than India, its contribution to the world economy is greater than India?s. Japan is an Asian nation which is located to the west of the Pacific Ocean. Japan an archipelago of around 6852 islands having world?s tenth largest population with over 126 million people. Its capital, Tokyo, houses over 35 million residents. What strikes about Japan in India is for its technology and quality products, Made in Japan Brand Products are never outdated in India. Even in India, if these Japanese 5K`s should be emphasized in India; perhaps bottom up overall development can be seen in no less time.

Japan a successful country, As a nation have always placed a very high importance on following 5 K?s which factors them as one of the best ever nation in all domains. Japanese have ensured the following 5 K in every step, is it individual life style, be it institutional thinking and or National Policy making. Emphasizing on these 5 K is what makes them to win in their own way despite being small nation and also being faced by heavy natural disasters.

The distinguished 5 K`s are

1. Kyoiku(Education)

2. Kenko(Health)

3. Kankou(Tourism)

4. Kankyo(Environment)and

5. Kokusaika(Globalization)

All these 5 K factors have huge sustaining impact on Big K that is Keizai(Economy).

Kyoiku( Education)

Japan has got an interesting education system. It has adopted the American system post World War, trying to incorporating democracy. However, in 1960, quite a few reforms were made into the education system. The distinctive features of the Japanese education system are many part from ensuring compulsory education and skill development to all. The finest point in Japanese education system is that Continuous education which is initiated by individual and supported by social systems. Japan is a highly literate country owing to the continuous efforts made by its government. The education system in Japan has played a pivotal role in its recovery and rapid economic growth. Based on 2011 Times Higher Education ?World University Rankings, 33 Japanese universities figure in the list of top 100 Asian universities.

In Japan, people place high value on the importance of both primary and continued education. The government has mandated that elementary and primary levels of schooling be compulsory. Secondary level is mostly private based or through correspondence. Furthermore, it is known that Japanese children spend most of the time at school and every day is as productive as the rest. Also, students are encouraged to take up a variety of extracurricular activities.

Most schools in Japan have a single track curriculum and offer three types of programs: general, vocational, specialized. Japanese education system allows for automatic promotion. No student is allowed to repeat a grade nor do they allow high scorers to skip a grade. The classes are mostly homogenous. Studies have shown that the scores gained by Japanese students were exceptionally high. The system places great value on developing a student?s aptitude and abilities. Each school has its own entrance test. Autonomous school management is widely practiced in Japan wherein the decisions to be made are entirely made by the principal and the management team. Government Policies ensures to support School planning, funding to Students Graduation in every minute point.

Once people start earning they spend in improving their field knowledge by continuously participating in programs outside campus and or through other educational platforms. There are many private companies which offer enormous study programs targeting employed men and women to upgrade their knowledge per their interest and it?s a very much trend here ? to be in study circles.

Infact people recognize through study circles and it?s easy to be connected through these circles. Through these circles what they learn ? people come back and use the knowledge in the company therefore contributing hugely for product/company/service development contribution to Keizai(Economy).

Kenko(Health)

Its world known secret that Life expectancy in Japan is extremely high. There are number of people over 100 years old; who are still active and mentally healthy. Apart from the healthy diet being the main factor in the long life expectancy of the Japanese, efforts and process for Precaution , prevention are also the key points in maintaining the good health in Japan. A Compulsory yearly health check is must for all employees and students where they?re tested for all kinds of ailments. Companies pay for these medical checkups and health records are to be maintained. Companies and other institutions ensure their employees are complaint with yearly medical checkups.

People are hygiene in commuting, personal care, day care, ubiquitous face masks are used in case of even little cold and cough. Health insurance is provided to citizens as part of a mandatory social insurance scheme. They are obsessive for being healthy, and this obsession results in market development. All the products be it food products, cosmetics, even to the extent of fabric all are developed and sold keeping the health factor as the base line. People hit out gym, sports, extracurricular activities are so common here even 85 year old will be having some hobby like Hawaiian dancing or so to keep him/her occupied. Since everything revolves around the health factor people are consistently required to innovate new ways which is nothing but contributed to healthier Keizai(Economy).

Kankou[ Tourism)

It?s an Old Word that to say it is very common to see Japanese wearing hat and holding camera, travelling to other parts of the world spending huge amount for sightseeing. Japan now has Oasis of Foreign In-bound visitors almost 10 million every year; With Yokoso Japan Slogan, Japan offers a very wide range of attractions, from historical and cultural treasures to modern and futuristic robots displayed for visitors. People are flooded in shopping malls, sightseeing spots. Sceneries of four seasons, Onsens(Hot springs), Japanese Food, Electronic Products are always having been the attraction theme for foreigners. What is to be noted is ? English being not one of the widely spoken languages, how the hospitality industry has grown and attracted so much, that too with utmost satisfaction for travelers. Every City, District emphasizes on barrier free sign boards, information desks, free commuting, Flexible Tourist Visa`s and so on; all contributes to uphold the Country`s image for foreign visitors. Even though there was slow down temporarily post Fukushima disaster; the industry has quickly picked up well, All Campaigns have been supported by government and Tourism and hospitality industry people are ever contributing as usual to Keizai(Economy).

Kankyo(Environment)

Environmental consciousness is not exceptional practice, but inclination towards being Eco in all walks of life makes Japanese as one of the highest ECO Citizenry. Once Japan was famous for environmental catastrophes due to industrialization, however the attitude of the public and the efforts of the government have made the country as best at its par, Be it Sorting the thrash, throwing the thrash , designing energy efficiency products and or even using tissue paper. Japanese customer expect and strongly incline towards cleaner, and greener products, Creating pollution free, energy consumption at minimum have been trendy always. All products are designed, developed in such a way that automatic power shut off becomes mandatory to save energy and for long life of the products. Government has consistently ensured proper waste management, industrial waste compliant, and clean sanitation for the society. Japanese follow strict Environmental ethics thus summing it up as One of the bottom up thinking for constant new product development which keeps Keizai(Economy)running.

Kokusaika(Globalization)

With High tech exports for almost all countries in the world, intensified cross-border movement of capital and labor force, increased transactions of commodities and services through trade and expanded overseas investment, have kept Japanese companies continuously on the Globalization path. Though there are challenges as a country that ageing population and fewer interests to study abroad have been worrying issue for economy growth; but that does not stop the country to globalize.Now Tokyo Being Olympic Village , there are many new programs, campaigns in all the districts, wards, cities engaging community , people and companies , educating Globalization benefits. Recently it has become a hot topic in Japanese media and among all circles to be educated on other culture so that successful co-operation/collaboration can be formed. Due to high cost of living and other regulations ?though Japan does not have huge immigrants compared to other countries; however efforts are being made to engage foreign resources and talent; which has kept Keizai(Economy)on rolling.

The interesting point to note is Japanese not only practice these 5K individually, institutionaly, and nationaly but also very much seek and expect the others to be on this 5K factor. If a proper synergy is found its very easy to be connected , rather it is seen as sucessfull partnership.

India has huge difference in the 5K thinking, Which results in drastic chaos and complextities Though it is not absolute correct to compare Japan and India development model; however if one point to be taken ; as Japanese individual inclination towards the above 5 K is what made them to be on the development path then in India also; the efforts can be made to attain this 5K in every step.

To sum up the Key message ? 5K in Individual, Institutional and National Thinking keeps the Big K running sustainably?.

Junko Nirmala is a Tokyo resident with 15 years of experience in technology and business consulting services mainly focusing on India-Japan Market and cross border related services. Her diverse background even includes a short stint as a Venturepreuner. During the last few years she has helped several Japanese companies with their India market entry strategie. Writer can be reached at junkonirmala@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of the The Financial Express, or any other entity of the Indian Express Group.