Business Etiquettes in Japan:
Business Meetings:
1) Bowing in Japan: The degree of the bow corresponds to the difference in social standing
between the two individuals being introduced. The longer and deeper the bow, the greater
the amount of respect will be shown by the one bowing.
2) Japanese Business attire: Business attire is very formal in Japan. For men, the rule is dark
suits, white shirts, and muted ties. For women, the same color rules apply, with either pant
suits or longer skirt suits being the generally accepted mode of dress.
3) In traditional Japanese home or other traditional venues such as temples or restaurants,
shoes are always to be removed. But it is also not acceptable to walk around barefoot in
such areas. It is best to carry white socks to prevent bare feet from touching the slippers.
4) Take lots of notes in meetings, the shows interest and creates an audit trail
5) Use detailed slides, because from the Japanese side’s perspective, if a point is on a slide
it’s important, if it’s not on a slide it’s probably not important.
6) Always telephone 1 – 2 hours before a meeting to confirm attendance.
7) Always arrive 10 minutes early for a meeting; 20 minutes if senior executives will attend.
8) Never use an English-language presentation. Foreign company executives should always
use presentations translated into Japanese.
9) 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 where the door is and
this dates back to the samurai era).
10) If a foreign company needs a non-disclosure agreement signed, send it to the Japanese side
well before the meeting. Many Japanese companies do business without written contracts.
If a foreign company executive suddenly produces a non-disclosure agreement at a first
meeting, the Japanese side will most likely refuse to sign it without a legal review and very
likely avoid meeting again.
Japan Business card etiquette:
The ritual of exchanging business cards, is based on respect for order and rank, which
means there is a hierarchal order to follow that governs business card exchange. Just like
every other process in Japan it is like a ritual.
Business cards (meishi in Japanese) should be presented with both hands, face up and
facing the person receiving the card. When receiving a business card, accept it with both
hands and review its details. Be sure to treat all cards received with respect. Business cards
should always be neat and crisp and stored in a sturdy container carried in a briefcase or
shirt pocket and never placed into a wallet.
1) Always ensuring you have enough business cards in advance of the meeting. If that is
not the case run out during the meeting, be honest and apologize for your error.
2) Offer your business card with your right hand, and hold it by the top corner, so as not to
cover any names or logos. Your cardholder should be held in your left hand. Remember to
bow, and remember to use the traditional Japanese phrases when introducing yourself.
-Nice to meet you.)
はじめまして, or'Hajime-mashite'
-(My name is Yamamoto from Toyota Corporation)
[トヨタ]の[山本]と申します, or"[Toyota] no [Yamamoto] to moshimasu"
-(Again, it is nice to meet you.)
宜しくお願いします, or"Yoroshiku-Onegaishimasu"
3) While receiving the other person's card, accept it with both hands, and hold it at a low
position, no higher than your chest and thank them.
4) While examining the card, it is always considered respectful to ask how to pronounce
the name of the person, instead of pronouncing it wrong.
Personal Habits:
1) Do wait to be seated in a meeting or at a restaurant until indicated to do so by your host.
2)
Learning some basic Japanese phrases for greeting and thanking is helpful even if you
don't speak Japanese otherwise. This demonstrates a willingness to learn and invest in the
culture.
3) It is considered disrespectful to keep hands in your pockets when speaking with someone.
This shows boredom or disinterest in the conversation.
4) Don't point at people with a finger or chopsticks when making a point or indicating
something as this is considered very rude.
5) Don't blow your nose during a meeting, instead excuse yourself to a restroom or outside
as appropriate.
6) Don't be late to a meeting. Japanese are very punctual and meetings start and end on time.
7) Don’t pat a Japanese man on the back or shoulder
8) Don’t try to high-five a Japanese businessperson unless you know him very well, especially
not in front of his colleagues because it might embarrass him.
9) Always smile, act pleasantly, be willing to learn, ask a lot of questions about the Japanese
side’s business vision and plans
10) Don’t ask questions about the Japanese side’s private or family life.