10 Great Tips On Japanese Business Etiquette And Doing Business In Japan

10 tips you absolutely must know about Japanese business etiquette before landing in Japan.
Doing Business in Japan like most other aspects of life, is influenced by Japans culture.

Doing Business In Japan

When doing business in Japan you are being examined even on your tenth meeting.

Non-verbal communication is very important in the Japanese business etiquette. Your movements, your clothes, the way you talk and even your Japanese table manners are being examined.

The dining etiquette and Japanese table manners are unique, as everything else here.
There are a few common mistakes westerners do about Food in Tokyo.

The more you know about the culture of Japan the better you can present yourself.

If you are not familiar with Japanese business culture you are risking the whole purpose of your business trip.

Before everything else – you must understand that in the Japanese Business Etiquette respect is fundamental.

• In Japan, you never address your colleague by his first name. Always call him by his last name while attaching 'san'.




• Bowing is nothing less than an art in Japan. It has many functions - It expresses respect, thanking, apologizing, greeting and so on.
  Don't assume you can learn how to do it right. The etiquette surrounding bowing is very complex. The depth and length of a bow depends on the social status or age of the person you bow to.

  
  When doing business in Japan as a Westerner, you are not expected to bow.
  A handshake combined with a slight nod of the head is enough.




• In spite of that, your level of success depends on the social interaction you manage to create.
  The Japanese will never do business with someone they don't know or respect. Evenings are dedicated to mutual drinking in hostess bars as part of entertainment in Japan and Japanese business etiquette.




• The first stage in every meeting is presenting the business card.
  Every Japanese has a business card.
  The reason? Japan is a very formal society, and by presenting the card you know his status and he knows yours.

  
  Before arriving in Japan, make sure you order Business cards cards with one side translated into Japanese and the other side in English. For inexpensive Business cards - Order Business cards online. You will need at least 100 for a short business trip.
  Before you go - make sure you have plenty of inexpensive business cards.

  
  There is a strict ceremony for exchanging business cards. Present your business card positioning the card with the writing towards your colleague.

  
  When you receive a card, take it with both hands, and read the card carefully.
  Keep the card on the table in front of you and don't put it in your pocket.




• You will always be meeting with a team and not an individual. Decisions are made only when every stage of the hierarchy gives their blessing to an agreement. Each one of the participants takes part in the final decision.




• In Japan, negotiation can be long and frustrating. This leaves you in a state of uncertainty during long phases of time. Never try to hurry the situation. The Japanese will interpret that as impatience.




• The word 'no' is considered too straight forward to use. Try using "I have to consult, I will check it". Don't worry about giving the wrong impression, the Japanese appreciate group thinking and team work.




• The Japanese are very detail orientated. Expect lots of questions repeated in different ways. These questions are intended to check your integrity and reliability. Be sure to have all the answers or you will appear unprofessional.




• Silence in Japan is often used as a negotiating strategy. Silence may be also be accompanied by closing of the eyes.
  This silence can go on for minutes (which will feel like hours to you). Do not be tempted to jump in.




• Touching is not accepted in Japan. A friendly pat on the back or an arm around the shoulder should be avoided.

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