I’m surprised there’s quite a few people in this thread insisting that all people are easily-swappable generic Lego blocks, as if physiological and cultural differences altogether don’t exist.
Asians are, for example, iirc, the highest IQ race in the world. In addition to the previously discussed effect of culture on products.
I do agree that skill is an important factor, but so is culture and identity. Even here in the west, you can have all the qualifications necessary, and then some, but if you aren’t the right fit for a corporate culture...
This is essentially that same concept, but writ large.
Many people in this thread would like Japan to keep making Japanese products with Japanese sensibilities. A random white guy doesn’t really fit into that picture, and it’s not hard to understand why some would be wary.
However, it may be worth giving him a chance. Generally, if a ‘gaijin’ makes it big in Japan, it’s not because a loudmouth American strolled in through the door and got pushed to the top — these people tend to embrace the culture, work just as hard, and earn it.