Business Etiquette & Culture in Japan

Japan is often seen as a land of paradoxes where ancient tradition rubs shoulders with up-to-the-minute technology and internationally-acclaimed business practices; where you can see "salarymen" enjoying traditional o-bon festival dances while kimono-clad teenagers talk on smoothly futuristic mobile phones. Japan is one of the most technologically advanced and vibrant business cultures in the world and the third largest economy, giving plenty of reasons why doing business with Japan is worth doing right.

TJC Global understands that being fluent in a language also means being fluent in the subtleties and intricacies of the culture and business etiquette associated with it. To ensure that no embarrassing misunderstandings occur in a professional context, all our translators and interpreters are experts in the business culture and etiquette associated with the languages they work with. Read on to find out our top tips for doing business in Japan.

About Japan

Useful Japanese Phrases

English                                                   Japanese

Hello                                                       Konnichiwa

Hello (on telephone)                               Moshi moshi 

Goodbye                                                 Sayōnara

Good morning                                         Ohayō

Good evening                                          Konbanwa

Good night                                               Oyasumi

How are you?                                          O genki desu ka

Fine, thank you. And you?                       Hai, genki desu. anata wa?

Pleased to meet you                                Hajimemashite

Cheers!                                                    Kanpai

Bon appetit!                                             Itadakimasu

Please                                                      Kudasai

Thank you                                                Arigatō gozaimasu

Excuse me                                               Sumimasen

Sorry                                                       Gomen nasai 

How much is this?                                   Ikura desu ka?

Japanese Business Etiquette

The Japanese business practice of today has been westernised to a large extent but still retains some traditionally Japanese practices which are often misunderstood or mistaken by their non-Japanese business partners.When conducting trade relations with Japanese companies, one cannot underestimate the value of having in-depth knowledge of cultural etiquette. Our interpreters will act as mediators for you, ensuring that everyone is satisfied. It is important to remember that modesty and humility are highly valued in Japanese culture, so try to avoid behaviour that suggests arrogance or over-confidence. 

Greetings

Bowing is an important part of Japanese culture. The bow is used both as a greeting and as a show of respect. The depth and length of the bow both reflect your attitude to the person you’re bowing to. The lower the bow, the more respect is shown. A good rule of thumb is to bow to the same degree as the person you’re meeting, with your eyes down and hands by your sides. Eye contact should not be maintained during bowing as this is considered bad manners. Greet the highest-status individual first, followed by the oldest when meeting a group of Japanese. Non-Japanese should feel free to just acknowledge a bow and hold out a hand to be shaken, rather than attempting to bow themselves if they prefer. But choose one method and stick with it.  

Names & Titles 

When provided with someone's full name, it is important to remember that Japanese family names come before the given name - a reversal of the English custom. You should address people by their family name until you have been invited to use their given name. It is usual in Japan to call someone by their family name followed by the honorific "san". 

Business Cards / Meishi (名刺 pronounced mei-she) are the Japanese equivalent of business cards. They have a special meaning and to receive a business card without due care and attention can be seen as a personal rudeness. The correct way to present meishi is held at the top corners with the lettering facing the person receiving the card. The receiver should take the card by both lower corners (careful not cover the name with their fingers), read it carefully and place it somewhere safe. If in a business meeting, set it face up on the table in front of you. Do not put it in your wallet or back pocket. When exchanging meishi the individual of lower status will pass their card first, and the individual of higher status will pass their card second. Meishi are usually given after bowing. You may consider investing in a nice business card holder, as the condition of your business card is considered to be a reflection on how you conduct business. 

Keigo (敬語 pronounced kay-go) is a polite style of Japanese used frequently in business when talking to superiors. Keigo (literally “respectful speech”) is used to show respect or humility in the face of people you are unfamiliar with. It is often not taught in schools or at home so many businessmen receive lessons when they enter a company.

Uchi/soto means roughly inner/outer and refers to one's relationship within a particular group. In Japan, status is conferred not only vertically, i.e. superior and subordinate, but also horizontally, i.e. those with whom you are familiar and those with whom you are not. The group dynamic is a very important one and when you first meet anyone you will immediately take up the position of outsider, soto, even if you are from different branches of the same company or work in the same field. You should understand the distance that you are shown as a sign of respect, and not think that your hosts are being cold to you. The position of soto does have some advantages over that of insider, uchi, for instance you are given more leeway in your behaviour and are not expected to follow the same strict rules as someone who is uchi.

In Japan silence is very important. Though you may feel uncomfortable, try to analyse what sort of a silence it is, whether it is a respectful silence or an upset silence. There is a definite connection between silence and wisdom. The Japanese character for Knowledge 知　combines the characters for losing 失 and mouth 口, which goes to show that the Japanese consider people wise who refrain from speaking. As the old proverb goes, “better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove any doubt”. Some Japanese business books have also remarked on how westerners, especially Americans, feel uncomfortable with silence, so your associates may be trying to intimidate you.

Gifts in Japan are given to show appreciation of a favour done for you or to establish a sound business or personal relationship. Gifts should be something from your country and of a reasonably high quality, preferably with a special significance to your company or local area and not made in Asia. Gifts should be wrapped in “business colours” like dark greens, greys, blues and browns, but avoid white as it symbolises death. Gifts should be given and received with both hands, as with meishi. Remember that to your business partners the gift you give and the way that you give it reveal a lot about your character and your attitude towards business. Avoid giving gifts in groups of four or nine as they are considered unlucky. 

Appearance

When doing business in Japan, dress conservatively and avoid anything that might suggest a lack of seriousness or respect. Men should wear a dark suit, a white shirt and tie, and women should dress conservatively and in subdued colours.  Bring shoes which can be put on and removed very easily, as you will be required to do so in public homes and in many restaurants.

Dining Etiquette

Using chopsticks is an essential part of dining culture in Japan so it is important to observe the rules of etiquette associated with it. 

• Do not pass food with your chopsticks as this is reminiscent of a ritual that takes place at Japanese funerals. 
• Do not balance your chopsticks across the top of your bowl. Use a chopstick holder. 
• Do not point your chopsticks at anyone or anything or wave them around over food .
• Do not suck sauces off of your chopsticks.
• Do not rub chopsticks together or play with them.
• Do not stick chopsticks upright into rice. 
• Do not stab food with your chopsticks.

An oft-cited myth about dining in Japan dictates that some food should be left on the plate in order to indicate one is full, and does not require a second helping. This is now considered old-fashioned; instead it is considered polite to clear your plate completely in order to express appreciation of the meal, and to avoid waste. 

Beliefs & Superstitions 

There are many intriguing Japanese superstitions that may be unknown to foreigners. Some of the most common include: 

• As mentioned above, the numbers 4 and 9 are considered unlucky in Japan because the words for them are pronounced the same as the words for death (shi) and suffering (ku) respectively. You may find that these numbers are avoided as room numbers and floor numbers in buildings in Japan for this reason. 
• The talismans sold at shrines around the country are known as Omamori. It is believed they bring luck to the owner. The type of luck (in love, money or career) depends upon the type of omamori. 
• It is considered bad luck to whistle at night as it will bring a snake or a ghost to the home of the whistler. 
• Seeing a spider in the morning is considered lucky, while seeing one at night is considered bad luck. 

Locations we cover in Japan

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