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Survivor-style boot camp for ramen firm execs
TOKYO - It takes tough managers to succeed in Japan's cut-throat instant noodle business, and one company wants to ensure that it has the toughest - through ramen noodle boot camp.

Nissin Food Products gave the world its first taste of instant noodles - chicken ramen - on Aug 25, 1958.

To mark the noodles' 45th anniversary, the Osaka-based company wants its newly promoted managers to spend three days on a tiny, deserted island.

They will learn to dig their own toilets, make fire from dry leaves, catch their own fish and even carve their chopsticks from local bamboo.

The plan is to promote team spirit, perseverance and creativity, said Mr Masanaga Oguchi, spokesman for the ramen noodle maker.

More importantly, it is to let the new managers rediscover the value of instant noodles.

'In our daily lives, all you have to do to make instant ramen is pour hot water and wait a few minutes, and we take it for granted,' he said.

'I'm sure participants would appreciate our product in a situation where they have to go through a lot of trouble just to make hot water.'

During the Aug 26 to 28 boot camp, the group of eight employees will be joined by four other people, including Nissin president Koki Ando and personnel department staff.

Futon island, about 420km south-west of Tokyo, has no electricity, housing or sewage facilities.

Apart from the company's instant noodles, participants are permitted to take only uncooked rice, soy beans and wheat.

If they find the rice bland, they can use salt - but they will have to make it from sea water. -- AP - Strait Times interactive

Bright ideas Bosses have hehe~...now i noe how we feel when our "Bosses" implement some stupid rule or exercise...kah zwah..