Japanese Business Etiquette

Introduction of Japan

Japan has a population of approximately 125 million people in a rather small geographic area. The official language in Japan is Japanese and they speak only Japanese. The literacy rate in Japan is almost 100 percent and about 95 percent of Japanese population has a high education. The form of government in Japan is parliamentary democracy under the rule of a constitutional monarch. The Prime Minister is the chief government officer. The dominant religion is Shinto, which is exclusive to Japan. However, they do not have their official religion.

Culturally, the Japanese tend to be introverted. They generally are not receptive to outsiders. When making business with Japanese, relationships and loyalty to the group is critical

The Japanese are usually forgiving to outsiders that try to show about the Japanese business etiquette. The Japanese host will help in any way possible.

When we have meeting with a Japanese host, we must honor the Japanese cultural traditions by do bowing before shaking hands. The Japanese host will likely offer a handshake and handshake will be appropriate. When you bow, you should bow "as low as the one you received". How low you bow means the status of you and the other individual. When you bow, make sure to keep your eyes low and your palms flat next to your thighs. The Meishi (japanese business card) should be given after the greeting.

In Japanese business etiquette seating positions are very important as they are in indicator of status. The highest ranking person will sit at the head of the table furthest away from the door, always wait to be seated and never be the first one to sit down.

We should take notes to help you remember the discussion during a meeting. Taking notes will also make you look more attentive. It is very important to look as though you are interested in what is

Business suits are most suitable for men. Women should not wear pants and wear many accessories. They should wear conservative dress.

You should wear shoes that easy to remove, because you will often take off the shoes in Japanese house. Slip-ons are the recommended one. For women, you should not wear high-heeled shoes because it will towering over men.

Gestures

You should avoid using dramatic hand gestures or movement and unusual facial expressions as a caution because Japanese are not using much of it and it may cause misunderstanding. They may feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, you should not do the OK sign and pointing because it OK sign means money for Japanese and pointing is unacceptable.

Gift

When we give the gift we should give both hands and accept with both hands. The selection of the wrapping paper is important, do not give the gifts wrapped in white as it means death and it is better to have the store wrap the gift for make sure the gifts wrapping paper is suitable. In japan we should not surprise the gift. Generally, gifts will not be opened in your presence but if your host insists that you open the gift we should be carefully to unwrap the gifts for appreciate the effort of wrapping. In Japanese, do not give gifts in four number is like death meaning and the gifts should be given at the end of a