Fail Forward #33 | Japan Was Supposed to Overtake the USA… What Happened? | Malesela, Roche & Vuyile
In this gripping episode of Fail Forward Friday, hosts Malesela and Roche sit down with friend of the show Vuyile Gabuza to unpack one of the most fascinating “fail forward” stories, not of a person or company, but of a nation: Japan.
From the ashes of World War II to the heights of becoming the world’s second-largest economy, Japan seemed destined to overtake the United States. But just like a brilliant footballer who never quite lived up to his full potential, Japan’s economic rise was capped by a series of decisions, cultural traits, and external pressures that stalled its dominance.
The conversation is as educational as it is entertaining, sprinkled with humour, football analogies, and friendly jabs between the hosts and their guest. Together they explore:
The Meiji Restoration – how Japan caught up with the West by embracing industrialisation and process-driven excellence.
Post-war revival – why U.S. support, combined with Japan’s Kaizen approach, turned it into a manufacturing powerhouse.
The bubble years – golf club memberships worth economies, Tokyo real estate outvaluing California, and Japan Inc. buying up Hollywood.
The Plaza Accord & the crash – how international pressure and speculative excess triggered Japan’s “Lost Decades.”
Parallels with China – can China avoid becoming “the next Japan,” or is history doomed to repeat itself?
The cultural cost of fear of failure – how risk-aversion, rigid institutions, and the weight of tradition slowed innovation.
This episode doesn’t just tell history, it raises urgent questions about the future of work, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and whether nations (and companies) can innovate without losing themselves.
By the end, you’ll find yourself reflecting on entrepreneurship, culture, and the fine line between growth and decline. It’s not just about Japan, it’s about all of us.
👉 If you’ve ever wondered how countries (like companies) rise, stumble, and reinvent themselves, you’ll want to watch this one. YouTube
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