Tips on doing business in Japan

/ marvinbjeawanand / Leave a comment

When doing business in Japan, it is important to pay attention to the many cultural differences when greeting, communicating, eating a meal, dealing with different age groups, or simply the type of business attire you wear. The following are some tips to use when conducting business with the Japanese:

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President Barack Obama bows to Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in 2009.

1. Do the bow. Greeting each other by a bow shows respect. The lower the bow, the more respect is shown. Men place their arms straight down their sides while women place their palms together against the front of their knees. And, remember not to make eye contact.

2. Stay silent. When communicating, remaining silent is valued over talking when conducting business. The Japanese thinks that silence shows wisdom and emotional self-control. Also, using a more introverted approach at the beginning of a business relationship will be perceived better when doing business. So, be careful what you say, as the littlest thing can compromise a deal.

3. Learn your chopsticks! If you are eating a meal with business partners and there aren’t utensils to serve yourself, you are expected to use the opposite end of your chopsticks to pick up the food. Also, never ask for a fork! Asking for a fork and not using chopsticks shows your Japanese counterparts that you are not interested in their culture, giving them second thoughts about conducting business with you.

4. Age means seniority. According to a survey by chiefexecutive.com, CEOs of public companies in Japan carry an average age of 62, which is older than their counterparts in other countries. Because of this trend, you want to be sure that you greet the senior most person, as they are generally the ones holding higher positions.

5. Wear formal attire. Men are expected to wear dark suits with collared shirts and ties. They are expected to have well-groomed hair and no facial hair. Women are typically looked over by older Japanese executives, which can create issues for western female executives. So if you have a business trip coming up soon in Japan, it is best that you dress conservatively and stay away from excessive make-up and jewelry.

Looking back at these culture differences may make you wonder if American companies do business with the Japanese. The truth is, they do, but doing business in Japan by any American company is viewed as taking a huge risk. 

 

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