I've just dislocated my tongue.
Hell camp was founded in the '70s, when Japanese
corporations were beginning to take over the world,
and it's still the country's strictest business school.
Each year, hundreds of salarymen are sent here by their companies
to learn how to be better managers.
I can't help but notice I'm the only woman here.
Women are still very underrepresented
in senior management roles, so this could be my lucky break.
To pass this course, you must successfully complete
all the modules. Failure is the ultimate shame.
The first rule of good management... Shout louder!
Next, it's time to introduce ourselves.
Your name, where you're from, and your feelings
as a manager and human being.
That's a long list! And all through the medium of shouting.
Already I can see some people are pumped up and getting really high
on this kind of management stance,
but there are other people who are really struggling.
They're standing up and they're trying to do the right thing and
they're trying to speak, but their emotions are just getting cut short.
That's really hard because these men are sent by their companies
and, if they don't do what they're told, and they don't complete this
course, then it's shameful for them and their jobs could be on the line.
On a positive note, at least I know how to say hello to a grandma.
SHOUTS: Konnichiwa!
The next module is about greeting your co-workers.
Hello! Konnichiwa! Konnichiwa!
Konnichiwa! Konnichiwa!
Konnichiwa! Konnichiwa! Whoa! Konnichiwa!
Konnichiwa! Konnichiwa! Konnichiwa! Konnichiwa!
Konnichiwa! Konnichiwa!
Formality and ritual
are the cornerstones of Japanese life and business.
To be successful, you must obey the rules.
This is why Japan is still the world's third-largest economy.
It's because guys like this, they don't want to be firebrands,
they don't want to be mavericks,
they don't want to be Lord Sugar or Richard Branson,
they don't want any of that.
They don't want their name on the door because it's more
important than that. It's about being a cog in the wheel.
It's being part of the greater good.
That's why you have companies like Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi,
Canon, Panasonic, Sony.
My own favourite - PlayStation.
How would you feel as a worker
if your manager shouted at you like that?
How would it make you feel?
How important is it for you to be a good company man?
A lot of what I've seen around today seems to be about...
MAN SHOUTS
Somebody really, really, really didn't like the main course!
Well, that's the end of lunch. Big shout out to the chef!
I haven't even finished my pudding!
So, over lunch, we've all been assigned our badges of shame.
So the idea here is you start from a position
of ignorance or inadequacy
and, as the days go by, they're removed one by one
as you complete each course.
You've got things like speed writing, exercise,
singing - vital in the workplace,
the ten business commandments, manners...
you've got a graduation exam, you've got a training camp report,
you've got vocal training... MIMICS SHOUTING
..you've got a one-minute speech,
you've got your phone manner,
you've got reading,
showing the path, and 40 questions.
So, there you go.
The badges of shame are on.
These? No, these are for all the TV shows I've made.
Some of the recruits are on their last day here.
The course ends with them formally pledging to be better managers
when they're back at work.
It's a procession of men standing here and crying.
It's really painful to watch.
From what I understand, they're mainly saying how ashamed they are
that they didn't have the capacity to push through in business.
That they're embarrassed and humiliated
that they couldn't express themselves.
For me it's upsetting, but I guess, for these guys,
it's sort of an affirmation of shame at where they've been
but sort of delight that they've now got this new inner strength
whereby they can just discipline their workforce.
The men at the back, covered in their ribbons of shame,
have failed the course.
80% of this intake.
They must now return to their companies in disgrace.
But the men in suits have passed
and will return triumphant, clothed in glory.
MUSIC PLAYS