Cassie Kifer (2014), a travel blogger, begins a piece about Japan like this: “Food is very serious business in Japan.” Yes, she italicized “very”. She goes on to tell us, “Though I spend a lot of time thinking about the things I eat, I was still blown away by how much thought goes into the preparation, consumption, and appreciation of Japanese food. There is a level of obsession with food in Japan that I’ve never seen anywhere else.”
This makes sense. Moran, Harris, and Moran (2011) say, “Eating here is ritualistic, communal, and time-consuming. The interaction is considered important as the food” (p. 355).
Kifer (2014) points out that Japanese cuisine is one of only three cuisines recognized by the United Nations for cultural significance. (I had no idea the U.N. even dealt with cuisine and culture – I imagine them discussing feeding the hungry and dealing with food insecurity, sure . . . but cuisine as culture, that’s interesting news!)
Why is this important for us as we discuss international business? Because in a culture where food is important, meetings will sometimes take place around the table. In an article for Venture Japan (2018) we’re told, “As time passes, the relationship with a Japanese customer strengthens and the formalities will decrease, especially after one or two dinners, lunches, or even offsite meetings at Starbucks. Regardless . . . a foreign executive never assumes he or she has reached the same level of business intimacy with a Japanese senior manager or executive, as he or she might have with executives in the US or elsewhere.”
As the Japanese culture tends to be more formal across the board – we see it in politeness, dress and appearance, punctuality, and language (Moran, et. al., 2011, pp. 354-355) – we must expect our interactions at corporate dinners, lunches and coffee meetings to require that increased formality in order to build the necessary respect and trust that are foundational for successful relationships. It appears that we must also expect some seriously good food, food that has been prepared with the high degree of investment and appreciation Japan requires.
I don’t know about you, but thinking about doing business over a great meal just makes me hungry . . . hungry for success, and for the great meal and conversation that help bring that success along. Dinner is served!
References
Kifer, C. (2014, March 19). Ever in Transit: 21 Things You Should Know About Japanese Food. Retrieved from http://www.everintransit.com/japanese-food/
Moran, R.T., Harris, P.R., & Moran, S.V. (2011). Managing Cultural Differences: Leadership Skills and Strategies for Working in a Global World. Burlington, MA: Elsevier.
Venture Japan (2018). Doing Business in Japan: Secrets of Japanese Business Etiquette. Retrieved from http://www.venturejapan.com/business-in-japan/doing-business-in-japan/secrets-of-japanese-business-etiquette/
Deb Kurtz says
Greetings
I enjoyed reading your post. As traditional as the Japanese are, the art of cuisine is surely a cultural experience. And one who travels to Japan must understand this. I remember seeing a Japanese Tea Ceremony, the artistry surrounding this was outstanding. You merely were not there to partake in afternoon tea, you are there to absorb the aesthetics of the ceremony. From the type of tea leaves used, to the charcoal and kettle used to the placement of cups and spoons, and the order one sits, all have a significant meaning.
A visitor who is honored to partake in such a ceremony must truly understand the tradition and meaning behind the ceremony and understand their part.
Just as you mention the formal expectations of a business dinner in Japan, the ceremony has those as well.
As a visitor to Japan whether it be business or pleasure one must understand the significance of their culture and how important certain the receiving of food and tea in this country means to the Japanese.
This is why understanding that Japan is a collectivism society rather that individualism will help in building relations. It is all about the experience that is shared with on another, rather than what is in if for me.
Japan has a lot of respect and honor seeped in their culture and even sharing a meal or attending a ceremony, one is expected to be honorable and respectable as well. This is part of that collectivism understanding.
As in much of Japanese culture there is an art about how food is prepared or a tea ceremony is performed. It is almost a spiritual experience and one must understand this.
Very interesting post and a very good takeaway if one is doing business in Japan and lunch or lunch is expected, as the protocol of taking it all in and respecting the meal, may truly make or break a deal.
Deb Kurtz
The Japanese Tea Ceremony. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://japanese-tea-ceremony.net/
ecm5336 says
Hello!
I also wrote about how Japanese dining is a very long and ritualistic tradition. This being said, leaders from the United States need to make sure that they spend a lot of time thinking about what food they are going to offer their Japanese business associates when they visit. American leaders shouldn’t just provide take out or provide food in a fast paced setting. In order to build personal relationships, they really need to focus on making sure the food and setting is appropriate. While to Americans it might seem like a waste of time to spend more than an hour eating lunch, when entertaining Japanese guests, this is definitely not the case. I found an interesting article by Chris Weller (2017) that discusses how elementary schools in Japan focus on food and nutrition education as part of the children’s early education. Weller (2017) discusses how lunchtime in Japanese schools is not hurried or hasty. Students serve each other their meals which teaches them responsibility. An example of a school lunch in Japan includes chicken, rice, miso wakame soup, vegetable salad, milk, and a tangerine (Weller, 2017). This is a lot different from what we have in the United States. Most of the school lunches that I have witnessed do not include every food group and the meat is usually not good quality. It really shows that healthy eating habits should be taught at a young age since adult obesity rates are the highest in the United States and lowest in Japan (OECD, 2017).
Obesity Update 2017. (2017). Organisation for Economic CO-operation and Development. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/Obesity-Update-2017.pdf
Weller, C. (2017). Japan’s mouthwatering school lunch program is a model for the rest of the world. Business Insider Deutchland. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.de/japans-amazing-school-lunch-program-2017-3?r=US&IR=T#
ecm5336 says
Hello!
I also wrote about how Japanese dining is a very long and ritualistic tradition. This being said, leaders from the United States need to make sure that they spend a lot of time thinking about what food they are going to offer their Japanese business associates when they visit. American leaders shouldn’t just provide take out or provide food in a fast paced setting. In order to build personal relationships, they really need to focus on making sure the food and setting is appropriate. While to Americans it might seem like a waste of time to spend more than an hour eating lunch, when entertaining Japanese guests, this is definitely not the case. I found an interesting article by Chris Weller (2017) that discusses how elementary schools in Japan focus on food and nutrition education as part of their children’s early education. Weller (2017) discusses how lunchtime in Japanese schools is not hurried or hasty. Students serve each other their meals which teaches them responsibility. An example of a school lunch in Japan includes chicken, rice, miso wakame soup, vegetable salad, milk, and a tangerine (Weller, 2017). This is a lot different from what we have in the United States. Most of the school lunches that I have witnessed do not include every food group and the meat is usually not good quality. It really shows that healthy eating habits should be taught at a young age since adult obesity rates are the highest in the United States and lowest in Japan (OECD, 2017). Not only do they enjoy a good meal while learning about nutrition, these children are being led down a path that will result in less health problems when they grow up as well.
References
Obesity Update 2017. (2017). Organisation for Economic CO-operation and Development. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/Obesity-Update-2017.pdf
Weller, C. (2017). Japan’s mouthwatering school lunch program is a model for the rest of the world. Business Insider Deutchland. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.de/japans-amazing-school-lunch-program-2017-3?r=US&IR=T#