Final answer:
The U.S. is known for a shareholder-focused business approach, while Japan adopts a stakeholder-oriented strategy that considers the interests of a broader group including employees, customers, and society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States has long been known for its emphasis on shareholder focus, where the prime directive for corporate managers is to maximize the wealth of its shareholders, the individuals or entities that invest capital and own portions of a company. In contrast, Japan is recognized for being stakeholder-oriented, advocating a corporate strategy that seeks a balance between the interests of all stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, society, and of course, shareholders themselves. Unlike shareholder theory which prioritizes shareholder wealth, stakeholder theory pushes for considering the broader implications of a company's operations on all parties affected by its actions.