DOING BUSINESS IN JAPAN

ByKaren Correa

Laurence DervainChris Fredrick

Kraig McConihay

Introduction

General Information

Preparation for Business Dealings

Business Meetings

Communication

Business Entertaining

General Information

GeographyThousands of islands; four largest islands:

Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku

Bordered by the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean

Smaller than California: 378,000 sq km

Population of Japan: 125,000,000

Climate

Varying climate: Temperate to sub-tropic

Four seasons The summer is hot and humid

Winters are mild

Spring is Rainy

Fall brings Typhoons

Major CitiesTokyo - 8.0 million

Yokohama - 3.4 million

Osaka - 2.5 million

Nagoya - 2.1 million

Sapporo - 1.8 million

Kobe - 1.5 million

Kyoto - 1.4 million

Economy

World’s 2nd largest economy

Some of the world’s largest industriesMotor vehicles and electronic equipment

In 2002: GDP = $3.55 trillionEconomy grew 0.8 percent in the September quarter in 2002

Problems faced: Deflation, record unemployment, bad loans

Currency

Japanese currency: YEN

$1 ~ 130 YEN

Currency (cont.)

Better take plenty with you

TransportationShinkansen: Electro magnetic trains

"Tokido”: Shinkansen train running from Tokyo to Osaka

Other types of transportations are taxis, buses and airplanes etc.

Religion

Buddhism

Shintoism

Confucianism

Christianity

Islam

National HolidaysJan 1: New Year’s Day (o-shogatsu)

Feb 11: National Foundation Day

April 29 – May 5: Golden Week

May 3: Constitution Day

July 13 – 16: O-bon, festival of the dead

Dec 23: Emperor Akihito’s Birthday

Electricity100 Volts

Many hotels have 110-120V

Varying frequency50 Hz to 60Hz

Take a Voltage Converter to protect equipment

ToiletsDifferent from those in the U.S

Familiarize yourselves with using them

When visiting homes, wear toilet slippers provided

Emergency Numbers

Toll free NumbersPolice 110

Fire 119

Ambulance 119

Preparation for Business Dealings

General Concepts

The group is more important than the individual

Avoid confrontations/ direct questions

StatusStrong sense of hierarchy, rank or position

Business Attire

Dress Code: Business Professional

Dress Conservatively

Women: Wear jewellery, makeup, and perfume sparingly

Business Attire (cont.)

Take off shoes in temples and houses

Slip-on shoes and good supply of clean socks

Wearing a Yukata (robe) in traditional inns (ryokans)

Wrap left over right

Business Cards (Meishi)

Present and receive meishi with both hands.

Print Japanese on one side

Study the business card

Include important information

Women in Business

Inform them of your status as early as possibleDemonstrate skills and professional competenceMaintain a restrained, dignified mannerLearn about Japanese culture

Appointments

PunctualityCall personallyScheduling appointments: Avoid

New Year, Dec. 28 to Jan. 3Golden Week, April 29 to May 5O-bon, mid-August

Office hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 or 5:30 p.m.

Gift GivingImportant Japanese business protocol

The ritual of gift-giving is more important than the gift itself

Present gifts with both hands privately

Different gifts for unequal ranks

Before accepting, refuse modestly

Good and Bad Gifts

GoodGourmet foodstuffs, fresh fruitElectronic toys Cuff linksSomething that reflects the interests and tastes of the recipientA simple commemorative photograph

Bad

White flowers of any kind.

Giving four or nine of anything.

Red Christmas cards.

Business Meetings

Business Seating Order

Standing/ sitting in order of seniority

Face equally ranked counterpart

Exchange Meishi

Visiting side gets good side of room

Side facing window

Business Dealings

Refrain discussing business for first 15 minutes

Start after “Jitsu wa ne” meaning “the fact of the matter is”

Address the most senior member firstAvoid

accusations/ direct refusals

Atmosphere of grave seriousnessAvoid Western jokes Light humor OK during breaks

Business Dealings (cont.)

“Saving Face”

Hide moods, anger etc.

Every word said is taken literallyFor ex: “This is killing me” or “This is the bomb”

Remember: Convening among themselves, the Japanese will go over your proposal in painstaking detail.

Decisions and Contracts

Group decision-making

Do not push for an answerWait for consensus

Oral agreements preferredRe-negotiable

Communication

Conversations

hello = “konnichiwa”

good evening = “konbanwa”

Direct remarks to senior member

Frequently say “I’m sorry” (Go Men Na Sa I)

Avoid complex jokes/ sarcasm

Do not talk about WW2

Names & Titles

Name order: Last name First name

Attach an appropriate title to the last name

San: the most neutral and famous title

Sama: more polite form of san

Do not add a title to your own name

Bows and Gestures

Most important part of Japanese etiquette

Shows respect, humilityBow in addition to shaking hands

Bow lower to someone of higher status

Also, if uncertain

Avoid unusual facial expressionsEx: Winking, shrugging shoulders

Bows and Gestures (cont.)

Business Entertaining

Dining OutAlways be punctualBe prepared to sit at very low traditional tablesTaking a Japanese businessperson to lunch/dinner

Select restaurant of your own cultureItadakimasu & gochisosama

Dining Out (cont.)

Proper usage of chopsticks

Drink responsibly

Paying:Host always pays

Bring your bill to the cashier

Pay right after ordering or at vending machine

Tipping not necessary

Karaoke Bars

Sing along to popular songs

Women are not allowed at geisha houses and sumo wrestling fights

Making a Toast

Say “Kampai”, meaning Cheers

Host sips first

Public Behavior

Be polite always

Always bow [“ojigi” (oh-jee-ghee)]

No spitting, snorting or blowing your nose in public

Smile to mask displeasure

Direct eye-contact now common

Closing

Bowing is extremely important

Show respect and humility always

Group is more important than the individual

“Saving Face” is a very important concept

Questions