Japanese Business Etiquette

A foreign executive shears “insiders secrets”

Much successful company shied out from the Japanese market. Doing business in Japan requires cultural intelligence, that refers ones ability to understand and be successful in the cross-cultural scene. Globalization affected our life, and the modern influences pushed binderies to a more relaxed and casual lifestyle.  Japan is changing. However, one of the secret weapons to break the Japanese corporate ice is formal politeness.

“Japanese business etiquette is not so different from good business etiquette elsewhere: after all, politeness, sensitivity to others, and good manners are the pillars of good business etiquette everywhere.” (Secret of, 2017)

Handling a business card is one of a key aspect of the blooming business relationship since it represents the company, the person, and the way business is conducted. Business cards are most have carried in a nice case, double-sided, and printed with the same elements in English and Japanese. It is recommended to wait until the Japanese representative initiates the card exchange. The card offered and received with both hands with the Japanese side facing forward. In the course of the meeting, the cards will be placed on the table and the highest rank person’s card on the top. The card is treated with respect, newer bend, or damaged with not.

The business attire is conservative. From October to April most businesspeople wear dark navy or gray suits with white shirt and tie. From May to September the colors are lighter, and man could wear a half-sleeve shirt. Some company may allow removing a tie in the summer other organizations’ dress code required to wear a tie to avoid embarrassment it is recommended to wear a tie in meetings. Clean appearance, cut hear, and shaved face is recommended. For women the rules are similar. Appearance should reflect a strong person, trouser or long skirt is appropriate with seasonal colors. Strong perfume, bride colors, jewelry, and high heels are not recommended.

Shoes should be removed entering a home or sitting area and to be changed to a provided slippers.

Japanese business meeting runs in a very organized way. Arrival is accepted 10 minutes before the meeting, 20 minutes if any senior executive will be present. The meeting needs to be confirmed before the 1-2 hours before the official meeting time. Japanese interpreter is necessary to translate the presentation. The presentation should be detailed and may print copies required.

Seating is also important, “don’t rush to the nearest available seat in the meeting room. There is a Japanese custom about which party sits on which physical side of the table (it depends on where the door is and supposedly dates back to the samurai era)” (Secret of, 2017).

“A properly prepared entry into Japanese business will generate substantial levels of revenue, profit, and all the glories that go with them.” (Secret of, 2017)

References

Secrets of Japanese business culture – Venture Japan. (2017, September 17). Retrieved November 04, 2017, from http://www.venturejapan.com/business-in-japan/doing-business-in-japan/secrets-of-japanese-business-culture/