Cant really talk about product quality but from a social perspective, which I can see pretty clearly given I have worked for a major Japanese conglomerate and spent a lot of time with Japanese “expats” across Europe, it’s very far behind Europe on social aspects.

There is a lot of misogyny, racism, hierarchy, classism and conservatism. Theres no recognition, acceptance or real change done in relation to the horrors carried out in WW2.

Part of the reason for their very low birth rate is their poor treatment of working women and extreme tough stance on immigration or refugees. Their working culture is horrendous generally.

Young people are pushing back and trying to change things so if it’s a small, modern company they may be OK. However, if you care for social issues then avoid the major conglomerates that run most of the economy.

On the plus side, they are very good at technical engineering and really care about their (Japanese) workers, which still have jobs for life.