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Japanese Business
Etiquette - Examining Japanese Business Practices and Culture
As one would expect from a country with such a strong sense of
hierarchy and honor, there are many unwritten laws regarding etiquette
and manners that apply to the business world. Although no-one will
expect a foreigner to know and abide by all these "codes of
conduct", knowing a few of the basics will go along way to
smoothing the path to success in Japan.
When meeting anyone in a business environment for the first time,
it is customary to exchange "meishi" (business cards).
You should always present yours to the receiver using both hands
to hold onto the corners as you pass it forward, stating your name
and company as you do so. On receiving a person's meishi, accept
it with both hands and then study carefully what is written on it.
Very often business cards will have Japanese on one side and English
on the reverse, so you should be able to understand what is written.
If you are in a formal situation, it is proper to place the meishi
face up on the table in front of you and refer to it as necessary.
If it is in a less formal setting you may put the meishi away after
looking at it, but please ensure to put it somewhere suitable. Just
dropping it into a pocket maybe seen as rude.
When visiting the office of a business associate, you will probably
be shown into a meeting room and asked to wait. Most meeting rooms
will consist of four or more chairs set around a table. As the honored
guest it is important that you take the seat furthest from the door
(although that maybe modified if it is a big conference style room)
and you should stand up and bow or shakes hands when someone comes
in the room. When receiving guests you would reverse the process,
with you sitting on the side closest to the door, with the senior
member of your party furthest from the door on your side. This "furthest
from the door" approach also applies in most other situations,
including restaurants, bars, taxis etc etc.
Within your own office life can be somewhat more relaxed although
a certain amount of ceremony, involving lots of bowing and scurrying
around, will be observed when senior managers are present. Generally
though a nod of recognition is fine for those you work with, perhaps
together with a comment on the weather or a similar subject. On
arriving at your office in the morning a loudly spoken "ohaiyo
gozaimasu" or "Good morning" should suffice with
an equally loud "osaki ni shitsure shimasu" (literally
"excuse my rudeness for leaving before you") when you
leave at the end of the day. This will in turn be usually answered
by a chorus of "gokurosama" or "o-tsukaresama",
by those remaining behind.
Confrontation is frowned upon and avoided in Japanese society and
this applies to the business world too. A common observation that
many foreigners make is that it is impossible to get a straight
answer from a Japanese counterparty in a business environment and
that every request is met with an uncommitted remark. In this situation,
it is important not to get pushy but just go with the flow. Even
though a definite no or yes is not forthcoming, you more than likely
are making progress and you will eventually get to a situation where
everyone agrees, although it may not be at that particular time.
Try to get a confirmed date when you can expect to receive an answer
and make it clear what you are hoping to achieve, while still respecting
the integrity of the other party.
The final point to be aware of is the perennial worry that both
Japanese and foreigners have when they meet - should one bow or
shake hands!! It is not uncommon for a Japanese company to require
all it's new employees to go through a rigorous training to ensure
that they know to what angle they should to, to whom and in what
situation. No one will expect you to understand to that level. A
simple extended nod of the head followed by a short handshake is
probably the easiest compromise, but as long as you show the counterparty
respect and politeness, all will be content.
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