1) Japanese greetings etiquette
Japanese bow while greetings.
• 1) The Japanese bow to each other as it is used as a show of respect ,
Apology, devotion , and a form of introduction.
2) Bows can generally be classified into three types depending on
the deepness of the waist bend.
3) 15-degree angle bow = when exchanging a casual greeting
or passing by someone of a higher social status.
4) 30 degrees angle bow =when entering and leaving reception
rooms and meeting rooms and when greeting customers.
4) 45 degrees angle bow = It is used to express feelings of deep
gratitude or apology.
Seating Arrangements in a Meeting
• The Japanese business culture also recognizes hierarchy in its
sitting arrangements.
• It’s also worth mentioning that the Japanese place much
importance on sitting in order of high-ranking or more
experienced individuals to low-ranking employees. Likewise,
guests are also treated similarly; you sit according to your
status.
• highest-ranking person (often regarded as the Number one) sits
next to the leader of the meeting, and the sitting arrangements
vary with different layouts.
• Even while sending email , we need put their email id according
to their status.
Japanese business card exchange etiquette
Mind Your Manners When Exchanging Business Cards in Japan
• 1. Be Prepared:- Know how many people will be attending a meeting, and
always ensure you have enough business cards in advance of the meeting.
• 2. Have Your Cards Ready:- Store your cards in an easily accessible place
apart from your wallet where they can be pulled out and presented
immediately.
• 3. Present Your Card with a Bow and Introduce Yourself:- Offer your
business card with your right hand, and hold it by the top corner, so as not
to cover any names or logos.
• 4. Examine the Card:- Read over the card and make sure you understand
everything presented to you, most importantly the presenter's name.
Practice saying their name, and if you don't know how to pronounce the
person's name, it is not considered rude to ask.
Don’t Sip Your Tea Until They Do!
When you are served tea at a Japanese
business meeting, don’t rush to take a sip. Your
clients or counterparts may form an opinion
about you as the guy that’s after free food
rather than the meeting or the subject of
discussion.
Prefer face-to-face communications
While in the U.S,
contacting clients via email or
on the phone seems more
natural in developing business
relationships, the Japanese
respect meeting each other
face to face. That is important
for their conducting business
relationships.
Silence is paramount
• Contrary to many Western cultures, the Japanese believe that ‘silence
is golden’. Talking a lot in the workplace is not the norm there. Hence,
as a new entrant into the market in Japan, it will serve you better to
take an introverted and reserved approach. That way it is more likely
that you will be able to create a good first impression and build long-
lasting business relationships.
• It is interesting to note that when faced with conflicts during
meetings, Japanese people tend to remain silent. This helps them to
release the tension and gives people a chance to move away from the
dissent. Silence is seen as a mark of wisdom and considered
appropriately formal for business settings in this country.
Japanese business culture is strong on formality.
• 1. Japanese culture, people greet each other in a particular order based on
their position in the hierarchy.
• 2. The most senior person is greeted first, and the most junior person is
greeted last.
• 3. You’ll also see formality play out in the clothes Japanese businesspeople
wear.
• 4.Even a year or two of seniority makes a difference in friendships, families,
workplaces
• 5. Man need to shave beard always in Japan.
office seating layout order based on their position in the hierarchy.
From a Japanese perspective, customer is
God.
While Westerners tend to follow the
ideology that the customer and
customer service are on an equal
footing. This is rooted from the idea
that customers exchange money for
the service and the view that both are
equal components. Still, in Japan, the
customer service is considered
paramount, which also brings the
benefit of keeping customers happy
and maintaining healthy mutual
relations.
Seeking perfection
• “Zero defect” policy at many manufacturers.
• Many other modern quality concepts, e.g., continuous improvement
(kaizen) and just in-time (kanban), are taken from Japan
• Japanese Never Compromise with Quality.
• For doing even small thing they need perfection.
Japanese Keep the promise always
If a Japanese worker says
he can complete the job,
he will work his best and
deliver exceptional
results.
Group-oriented nature
• The Japanese believe in teams.
• Theirs culture is highly group-oriented .
• For Japanese, their group success is their success. They don’t believe
in individualism.
• Japanese always give public credit to the entire team, rather than just
a single person,
Time management, Time Discipline
• Japan is also an extremely time-conscious culture, although
the Japanese probably lay more emphasis on time management and
efficient lifestyles.
• In Japan train never comes late.
• In Japanese meeting or office, we need to go 10 minutes before.
• For becoming even 1 min late we need to inform to the respective
person prior.
• Japanese so obsessed with being on time. Not only in office but also
any parties or ceremony they always follow be on time.
