Japan
Japan 1-Minute Culture Briefing
Japanese business highly values respect, harmony, and humility. Indirect communication is more common than direct expression, and they prioritize building long-term relationships and trust.
✨ Recommendations ✨
- Maintain a thoroughly polite and humble attitude.
- Punctuality is essential; it's good to arrive early for appointments.
- Become familiar with indirect communication styles and try to grasp nuances.
⚠️ Cautions ⚠️
- Avoid direct criticism or opposition; express yourself in a roundabout way.
- Refrain from personal questions or conversations that might feel intrusive.
- Avoid excessively loud voices or exaggerated gestures.
Detailed Cultural Etiquette Guide
Business Card Exchange
In Japan, a business card (meishi) is considered the face of the other person. Always hand over and receive cards with both hands, without obscuring the text, and do not immediately put a received card into your wallet; instead, place it on the table as a sign of respect. Writing notes on the card or putting it directly into your pocket is considered very rude. Handle the card carefully until the meeting ends.
Greeting Styles
The most basic greeting in Japan is a bow (ojigi). In business situations, a 'respectful' bow of about 45 degrees is mainly used. Handshakes are becoming more common, but it's safer to bow unless the other person initiates a handshake. When meeting for the first time, it's natural to bow lightly and greet after exchanging business cards. When bowing, it is polite to avoid eye contact and slightly avert your gaze.
Dress Code
Japanese business attire is generally conservative formal wear, similar to Korea. Men prefer dark suits and ties, while women opt for suits or neat dresses. It's very important to present a neat and tidy impression, especially for first meetings or important conferences. During summer, the 'Cool Biz' campaign might allow wearing just a shirt without a tie, but it's good to adapt flexibly to the other party's attire.
Meetings and Negotiations
In Japanese meetings, listening and harmony are highly valued. All members have a chance to speak, but direct arguments or opposition are rare. When asking questions, express them indirectly, and silence can signify careful consideration. In negotiations, building long-term relationships is emphasized, and reaching agreements often involves multiple discussions rather than immediate decisions. A 'yes' might not always mean full agreement.
Dining Etiquette
In business dining, it's important to know how to use chopsticks correctly (e.g., do not stick chopsticks upright into rice, do not pass food with chopsticks). At drinking parties, it's polite to refill another person's empty glass, and you should also wait for your own glass to be refilled. The toast is 'Kanpai (乾杯)'. Tipping is not customary, so there's no need to leave a tip.
Conversation Topics
Appropriate topics: Weather, beautiful Japanese scenery or culture, food, sports (especially baseball), light hobbies, etc.
Topics to avoid: Politics, religion, personal family matters, historical issues, direct questions about someone's private life.
Topics to avoid: Politics, religion, personal family matters, historical issues, direct questions about someone's private life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I prepare a gift for a Japanese partner?
Gift-giving is very important in Japanese business and signifies respect and relationship building. It's good to prepare a small souvenir or local specialty when visiting, and pay attention to wrapping. When presenting a gift, it's common to add a humble phrase like 'This is just a small token' (tsumaranai mono desu ga).
What should I do if there's prolonged silence during a meeting?
In Japan, silence is not necessarily negative. The other person might be thinking carefully or preparing their next statement, so it's important to wait patiently without rushing to break the silence.