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Working Culture in Japan

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Generic Informationa) Culture Overview

Currency Yen

Capital City Tokyo

Population 127,463,611

b) Japanese Names: In Japan, the first name follows the family name. A person with the first name "Ichiro" and the family name "Suzuki" is, therefore, called "Suzuki Ichiro" rather than "Ichiro Suzuki".

c) Greetings in Japan: In Japan, people greet each other by bowing. A bow ranges from a small nod of the head to a long, 90 degree bend at the waist.

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They generally use polite form. While speaking English speak very slowly, however, Japanese people may know English Grammar better than us.

Few Phrases: “ Hai “ YES, “ Iie” No

Talking to Japanese

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Japanese Business Etiquette Do’s Don'ts

Try to be polite and diplomatic at all times. Avoid showing irritation, annoyance or impatience. These negative emotions could put a strain on the development of the relationship.

Do use apologies where the intention is serious and express gratitude frequently.

Don’t give excessive praise/encouragement to a single Japanese colleague in front of others.

Avoid confrontation or showing negative emotions during business negations.

Avoid addressing your Japanese counterpart by their first name unless invited to do so.

Perform as many favours for people as possible. Favours must always be repaid.

Extroverts are seen as brash and arrogant.

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Mount Fuji

Golden Pavilion

Tokyo Tower

Top Tourist Attraction in Japan

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Tokyo Imperial Palace

Todaiji Temple

Hiroshima Peace Memorial

Top Tourist Attraction in Japan

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Employees are expected to work hard and demonstrate loyalty to the firm, in exchange for some degree of job security and benefits, such as housing subsidies, good insurance, the use of recreation facilities, and bonuses and pensions. Wages begin low, but seniority is rewarded.

Employees of most large corporations worked a modified five-day week with two Saturdays a month, while those in most small firms worked as much as six days each week.

If you try to confirm every detail before you do it, you will probably cause headaches for both parties. It is often far easier just to do it, and then be apologetic when you get it wrong

Long-term relationships create very strong bonds between a company and its employees and hence between co-workers and managers.

Continued…

Japanese work environment

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In Japan, employee working in reputable company with higher work experience is always preferred in social and professional life.

Many Japanese businessmen show a heightened sense of politeness when speaking in English with foreign company executives. The same man speaking in Japanese will be more direct, saying what he really means, or rather, he will say "No" in a way.

When doing business in Japan a successful relationship with a Japanese colleague or client is based on three factors: sincerity, compatibility and trustworthiness. Sincerity means that you are compromising, understanding and you want to conduct business on a personal level. Compatibility is established when you are seen to be concerned about the personal relationship, the well being of the company and not just focused on financial gain. Trustworthiness relates to the faith put in you to protect from loss face.

The Japanese are very detail orientated. Expect lots of questions and lots of questions repeated in different ways. Be sure to have the answers as the failure to do so will look unprofessional. Be sure to bring as much information as possible, in writing, on your company, service, product or proposal.

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Japan's salarymen are the people you will be doing business with and understanding them is an essential part of understanding Japanese business culture and succeeding in the Japanese market.

Understanding what motivates the typical Japanese salaryman is critical if you want to really succeed at doing business in Japan, because it will help you in just about every decision you need to make

The salaryman in Japan's culture