I would summarize it as:<p><pre><code>     German design goal: functionality and comfort, user is at the center.

     Japanese design goal: aesthetics, the tool is at the center.
</code></pre>
It is possible, that a Japanese chef will feel and work better working with an aesthetic and clean looking knife. The chef's skill is praised in as much as it can make use of the beautifully designed knife (i.e. the craftsmanship culture).<p>A German (Western) chef will work better with any knife that fits his hand better. The chef is at the center of the design. A knife is an extension of a chef's hand.