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Assignment

Introduction:

Japan is an archipelago (Chain of island) made up of about 3000 island. Japan is a landwith ancient cultural roots and the most modest capabilities. The Japanese people have

traditionally lived in close proximity to each other, whether live together, working

together and protecting family & village people from dangerous natural and man-made

calamity.

Japan is closer to feudal values than most developed countries. Women are granted low

status in the masculine dominated society. The persistence of old values is the principle

of a job for a life. The relationship between Japanese company and worker was close

and bonded with mutual loyalty. Japanese people were forced to develop standards of

behaviors that emphasis on importance of conformity to the groups. Every one learned

to control the emotion and behavior that threatened social harmony.

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Demography: Japan is divided into 5 main geographical divisions: Hokkaido, Honshu,

Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa. The main island of Honshu is further divided into 5

regions: Tohoku, Chubu, Kanto, Kinki and Chugoku. The administrative system is

divided as follows: Tokyo To (metropolis); Hokkaido Do (circuit); Osaka Fu, KyotoFu (urban prefectures); 43 Ken (prefectures). This system was introduced in 1888, with

Tokyo being designated as a metropolis in 1943.

Japan Quick View:

Official Name : Japan Nippon (Nihon in Japanese)

Land Area : 377, 835 sq km

Capital : Greater Tokyo (Most populate city in the World)

Official Language : Japanese

Major Religion : Buddhism, Shinto

Population : 127,076,183 Million

Density : 336 persons per sq km

Growth rate : -0.22%

Distribution : 77% Urban; 23% Rural

Literacy : 99%

Economy:

World Ranking : # 3rd Largest Economy in the World

Currency : Japanese Yen (JPY)

Fiscal : 1 April to 31 March

GDP : $5.073 trillion (2009)

Export : $ 516.3 billion

Import : $ 490.6 billion

FDI Stock : $ 205.4 billion

Industries : Motor Vehicles, Industrial & Transportation equipment

: Electronics, Chemicals, Steel, Machine Tools

Business Ranking : 15

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Homogenous Society:

A society comprise exclusively of members of the same Race. Races are extended

family groups - and culture emerges from Race is called Homogeneous society.

Japan has been isolated by both geography and choice of many centuries so fewer

foreigners live there. Nearly 98.5 % of the residents of Japan are ethnic Japanese and

approximately about 1.5% of Legal resident consist of foreign nationals likely, China,

South & North Korean, Brazil, Philippines.

Homogeneous societies are the most stable, and successful, as the members literally

"speak the same language" - and understand the collective social mores.

Ethnic Minorities

The Ainu, an indigenous group that now consists of probably fewer than 30,000 people

living primarily on the northern island of Hokkaido in some ways the history of

Japanese relations with the Ainu parallels the history of North American settlers vis--

vis American Indian groups. In other words, the Ainu were sort of pushed back and

back and back as the frontier of Japanese society expanded.

The Korean Japanese population in Japanese sometimes called zai-nichi kankokujin,

"Koreans-resident-in-Japan" who are a large population estimated in the hundreds of

thousands, of descendants of Koreans who were brought to Japan as forced laborers

from the Japanese, from the beginning of the Japanese colonial period in Korea, which

started in 1910 when Korea was annexed by Japan. The population of Koreans who livein Japan now occupy a very difficult social and political situation, because they're not

recognized by the Japanese state as being citizens of Japan, but their claims to

citizenship either in South Korea or North Korea are equally problematic, so they're sort

of caught in a socio-economic political vacuum.

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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS

Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government. There is universal

adult suffrage with a secret ballot for all elective offices. Sovereignty, previously

embodied in the emperor, is vested in the Japanese people, and the Emperor is defined

as the symbol of the state.

Japan's government is a parliamentary democracy, with a House of Representatives

(also known as the Lower House) and a House of Councillors (sometimes called the

Upper House). Executive power is vested in a cabinet composed of a prime minister

and ministers of state, all of whom must be civilians. The prime minister must be a

member of the Diet and is designated by his colleagues. The prime minister has the

power to appoint and remove ministers, a majority of whom must be Diet members.

The judiciary is independent.

The seven major political parties represented in the National Diet are the Democratic

Party of Japan (DPJ), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Peoples New Party

(PNP), the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the New Clean Government Party

(Komeito), the Japan Communist Party (JCP), and Your Party (YP).

Japan's judicial system, drawn from customary law, civil law, and Anglo-American

common law, consists of several levels of courts, with the Supreme Court as the final

judicial authority. The Japanese constitution includes a bill of rights similar to the U.S.

Bill of Rights, and the Supreme Court has the right of judicial review. Japanese courts

do not use a jury system, and there are no administrative courts or claims courts.

Because of the judicial system's basis, court decisions are made in accordance withlegal statutes. Only Supreme Court decisions have any direct effect on later

interpretation of the law.

Japan does not have a federal system, and its 47 prefectures are not sovereign entities in

the sense that U.S. states are. Most depend on the central government for subsidies.

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Governors of prefectures, mayors of municipalities, and prefectural and municipal

assembly members are popularly elected to 4-year terms.

Recent Political Developments

The post-World War II years saw tremendous economic growth in Japan, with the

political system dominated by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). That total

domination lasted until the Diet lower house elections in July 1993, in which the LDP

failed for the first time to win a majority. The LDP returned to power in 1994, with

majorities in both houses of the Diet. In elections in July 2007, the LDP lost its majority

in the upper house. The DPJ followed up on this advance with a landslide victory in the

lower house elections of August 2009, giving the DPJ a majority in the more powerful

lower house and a leading coalition in the upper house, overturning the post-World War

II political order.

Principal Government Officials

Head of State--Emperor Akihito

Prime Minister (Head of Government)--Yukio Hatoyama Minister of Foreign Affairs--Katsuya Okada

Ambassador to the United States--Ichiro Fujisaki

Permanent Representative to the UN--Yukio Takasu

Government Business Relationship:

Many of the major Japanese industries were directly or indirectly controlled by the

government ministries and bureaucratic. Japan Incorporate is huge conglomerate, which

controlled by Ministry of International Trade and Industry functions as corporate

headquarters. The two most common classifications of Japanese industrial groups are

horizontal Keiretsu is a diverse group of companies with different line of business and

affiliation with the main bank. For example, the Mitsubishi group is horizontal keiretsu

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that includes Mitsubishi Bank, Mitsubishi Motors, Mitsubishi Electrics, and Mitsubishi

Heavy Industry. The Japanese commercial code recognizes four types of companies:

corporations, limited liability companies, unlimited liability companies and companies

with limited and unlimited liabilities

The Corporation is also called in English as Joint Stock Company or company limited

by stock is called as Kabushiki Kaisha (K.K) in Japanese. The corporation is separate

entity, and liability of its shareholder is limited to the amount of their capital

contribution. The Limited Liability Companies is called a Yugan Kaisha (Y.K.) is a

closed company with no more than 50 members, in which transfer of shares requires

agreement among the shareholders. Liability is limited by the amount of each individual

contribution. An unlimited liability company is called Gomei Kaisha (G.K.) requires

two or more partners each bearing both unlimited and limited liability for company

obligation.

Business Organisation:

A typical Japanese business organization is like a huge family with executive, managers

and employees having total personal commitment to the companys goal as a group.

They not only act as professional manager but also act as full fledged family member it

is widely called as Keiei-Kazokushugi means Management Familism. It is the unique

way of Japanese employer-employee relationship.

The Japanese managers do not consider the employee as dispensable tool of production

but think them as family member with great potential for creative and diligent work for

many years. All major Japanese companies are providing life time employment toemployees and in turn expect the employee to devote their entire work lives to them.

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Religion in Japan:

Japanese religion is not directly involved in business aside from annual holidays and

corporate gift-giving. Yet indirectly, religion plays a major role in business in a number

of aspects.

Japanese adhere to Shinto and Buddhism are primarily of birth records and account for

84% to 96 % of total population. Japan grants full religious freedom allowing minority

religion such as Christianity, Islam and Sikhism to be practiced. Christian employees

are widely expected to submit to group norms and works on Christmas Day.

Behave calmly and respectfully. Show your respect by making a short prayer in front ofthe sacred object. Do so by throwing a coin into the offering box, followed by a short

prayer. When entering the temple buildings, may require taking off shoes and leaving

them on shelves at the entrance. At the purification fountain near the shrines entrance,

make use of ladles provided, fill it with fresh water and rinse both hands. Japanese

people are less likely to express their religious beliefs publicly.

Foods of the Japanese:

Rice and Noodles are the two primary staples of Japanese diet. Rice either boiled or

steamed, is served at every meal. Noodles came in different varieties, most popular are

soba, thin brown noodles made from buck wheat flour; udon, thick white noodles made

from wheat flour and ramen thin, curly noodles, also made from wheat flour. Soy sauce

and other soy beans products are also staples in Japan includes miso (fermented

soybean paste) and tofu (a soybean curd that resembles custard). Japanese pickles called

tsukemono are served at every meal. Green tea is the national beverage and Sake (Wine

made from rice, usually served warm) and beer is most popular.

Two uniquely Japanese foods are sushi (fresh raw sea food with rice) and sashimi (fresh

raw seafood with soy sauce) both relies on freshly caught fish or sea food. Each region

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has its own selection and favor of foods> People living in the cold northern island of

Hokkaido enjoy potatoes, corn, barbecued meats. Foods in western Japan tend to be

more delicately flavored than those in the east.

Japanese are known for using very fresh ingredients in their cooking. They prefer using

fresh, seasonal foods for their meals, buying it the same day will be cooked. Japanese

are also famous for food arrangement.

Meal Time Customs:

The Japanese eat three main meals a day. The main ingredients in all three are rice or

noodles. A typical breakfast consist of rice, miso soup and a side dish , such as an eggor grilled fish.

Noodles are very popular for lunch and also as a snack. A restaurant or take out stand

referred to as a noodle house is a popular spot for lunch. The bento is a traditional box

lunch packed in small, flat box with dividers which includes portions of rice, meat, fish

and vegetables.

Inspite of western life style, traditional dinners are still eaten by most people, which

include rice, soup, pickles, and fish. Seasonal fresh fruits served as desert. Sweets are

more likely to be served with green tea in the afternoon.

Table Manners and Tolerance:

Japanese food is usually served in sizes suitable for picking up by chopsticks, the use of

which is thought to have been introduced from China in the seventh century. As a rule,

every individual has his or her own chopsticks and a set of tableware. An extra set of

chopsticks is used to serve food from a communal food vessel to each individual vessel.

If extra chopsticks are not provided with the communal food vessel, then individuals

reverse their own chopsticks and use them to transfer food to their own vessels. This

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practice, however, reflects more a psychological cleanliness derived from Shintoism (in

order to prevent ones spoiled spirit from passing to others through shared foods) than it

does practical sanitary concerns.

It's OK to use your fingers for most

sushi But, use your chopsticks for

sashimi.

Don't mix your wasabi in your soy

sauce. Add a little dab directly to the

sushi if you want a little more heat.

When you take sushi from a shared

plate, use the back endof your

chopsticks the end you don't put in

your mouth.

Don't store your chopsticks in your

rice. This is how rice is offered to the

deceased.

If you are not provided with a

chopstick holder, rest your chopsticks

on the edge of your plate with the tips

pointed to the left.

Placing your chopsticks across yoursoy sauce bowl indicates that you

have finished eating.

Chopsticks are traditionally held in the right hand only, even for the left-handed.

Although chopsticks may now be found in either hand, a few still consider left-handed

chopstick use improper etiquette. One explanation for the treatment of such usage as

improper is that within the confines of a round table this may be inconvenient

Never point the chopsticks at another person. This amounts to insulting that

person and is a major faux pas

Never wave your chopsticks around as if they were an extension of your hand

gestures.

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Never bang chopsticks like drumsticks. This is akin to telling others at the table

you are a beggar.

Never use chopsticks to move bowls or plates.

Never suck the chopsticks.

Decide what to pick up before reaching with chopsticks, instead of hovering

them over or rummaging through dishes

To keep chopsticks off the table, they can be rested horizontally on one's plate or

bowl; a chopstick rest (commonly found in restaurants) can also be used.

When picking up a piece of food, never use the tips of your chopsticks to

penetrate the food as with a fork; exceptions include tearing apart larger items

such as vegetables. In more informal settings, smaller items or those more

difficult to pick up such as cherry tomatoes or fishballs may be stabbed, but this

is frowned upon by traditionalists.

Rubbing your chopsticks (ohashi) together is extremely rude, as it suggests that you

believe the restaurant uses low quality chopsticks

Communal chopsticks

When there are communal chopsticks, it is considered impolite to use your own

chopsticks to pick up the food from the shared plate, or to eat using the communal

chopsticks.

It is considered impolite to use the blunt end of one's own chopsticks to transfer food

from a common dish to one's own plate or bowl; use the communal chopsticks instead.

When communal chopsticks are not provided, it is considered polite (and sanitary) to

use the blunt end of one's own chopsticks to serve a guest by transferring food from the

common dish to a guest's plate or bowl

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In communal dining or drinking, the youngest person present should pour alcohol for

the other members of the party, serving the most senior person first. The server should

not pour their own drink, rather they should place the bottle of sake, beer, wine or

spirits, back on the table or bar, and wait to be served by a senior. The receiver of thedrink should hold up their glass/cup whilst the drink is being poured.

One should always clean one's hands (but not face) before dining with the hot steamed

towel provided

Its OK to drink your miso soup.

Use the spoon or chopsticks to eat

any larger pieces.

Traditionally, miso soup is served

after the meal. In most Westernrestaurants, however, it is served

first. If you want to go the

traditional route, let your server

know ahead of time.

Sake is a rice-based alcoholic

beverage that can be served hot or

cold. Typically, higher quality

sake is served cold.

Sake is traditionally enjoyed with

sashimi (not sushi), or by itself,

before or after the meal. When

drinking sake with others, serve your

companions, not yourself. They, in

turn, should serve you.

Japanese soup is eaten holding the bowl to one's mouth, never with a spoon. Theexceptions to this are o-zoni, the traditional soup served on New Year's Day; soups with

noodles are served in larger bowls, such as ramen, are acceptable to eat using

chopsticks, although the soup itself is still consumed from bowl to mouth. There is no

tipping in Japanese restaurants.

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Invitation & Acceptance / Refusal:

Japanese tend to treat invitation more seriously. Extending an invitation is not

something done lightly. And accepting an invitation is treated as obligation and

something one cannot back out. Japanese customs demands that the opportunity be

always presented so as to force the other party into the socially unacceptable position of

having to say no to invitation. In Japan saying positive things about something another

person is planning is considered good manners. The person receiving the invitation may

say That sound great or I do really like to go even though by the end of

conversation both parties will agree Kondo (May be next time Later) will be better.

Dressings:

Men and women both wear western clothes for every day usages. Kimonos wear by bith

men and women on special occasions.

Men only wear kimonos for very special occasions. Mens kimonos are different colors

and darker than women's kimonos. They are short, unlike the women's. Hakamas are

very loose or wide-legged pants, worn by men. Kimonos are not worn very often any

more by men. They wear happi coats instead. Happi coats are loose jackets. Often they

have family crests on them. They are made out of cotton.

Japanese women wear kimonos only for special occasions, like New Years, weddings

and festivals. A woman's kimono is floor length. Kimonos can have short or long

sleeves. Women's kimonos are folded right over left then the left side over the right.

For a wedding, a woman wears a fancy colorful silk kimono. The kimono usually has

long sleeves. Sometimes the kimono can be five layers thick. A woman wears white

tabis. A woman wears a tsuno-kakushi which a stiff white band on her head. Some

brides may change to a western style white wedding gown during the wedding. A man

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wears a kimono and hakama. The kimono has the family crest on it sometimes. A man

wears white tabis. He changes to a Western style suit during the wedding.

Parts of a Kimono

Rear Front

Yuki - Sleeve Length Uraeri - Inner Collar

Ushiromigoro - Rear Main Section Doura - Upper Lining

Sodetsuke - Armhole Seam Sode - Sleeve

Fuki - Hem Guard Okumi - Front Panel Below The Collar

Miyatsukuchi - Opening Below Armhole Tamoto - Sleeve Pouch

Sodeguchi - Sleeve Opening Maemigoro - Front Main Section

Furi - Sleeve Below Armhole Eri - Collar Tomoeri - Overcollar Susomawashi - Lower Lining

For funerals, both men and women wear plain black kimono. With black suits being

suitable for both, a black tie for funerals.

Color Symbol:

Black color of elegance or class. It represent ideas such as

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Power, formality, wealth, mystery, fear, anger and mourning.

Black and white stands for mourning and cheerless occasion

Blue indicates femininity, peace, calm, stability and loyalty

Brown represent ideas comfort, endurance and simplicity

Gold represent color of heavens

Green represent good luck, youth and livelinessOrange represent energy, balance , warmth

Pink represent childish innocent, good life & health & purity.

Purple represent royalty, spirituality, nobility, ceremony

Red symbolize excitement, energy, speed, strength

Red & White symbolize the sun

Silver represents security, reliability, intelligence

White represent purity and sacred

Yellow symbolize joy, happiness & optimism

The Japanese Way:

The Japanese are very conscious of their history and their enterprises reflect their sense

of themselves as a people of unique identity.

Self Japanese Thinking

Not to engage in risk taking, heroics or defiance.

Group is comfort

Civilization is unique and very few foreigners can master it

Very flexible and sincere and value human relationship.

Japanese on Foreigners

Creative and Inventive

Make friend quickly but shallow

Energetic but impatient

The Japanese Treatment:

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Japanese treat visiting foreigners with deference. Japanese business associates will be

courteous and generally responsive to your need. Basically the degree of politeness

extended will depends on designation and team in relation to that of Japanese

associates. Japanese will usually make the hotel arrangements and airport transportarrangement. Need to acknowledge courtesies received and Japanese associate will

expect the similar courtesies during their visits.

Do not mistake the courtesy for friendship. The kindness extended is a part of proper

business transaction. Friendship may or may not develop.

Genders Role:

The role of woman: Japan is not a country where woman liberty is in accordance with

the Constitution guarantees of equality. Japanese women are young and engaged inlow-

level jobs like typing and filing. Young Japanese women in white-collar works are

generally known as Office Ladies or OLs. The main function is to be young and

decorative, well dressed and fragrant to brighten up mens work day. It is assumed,

women will marry and leave the work in mid twenties..

The attitude towards women are still the most common although, due to shortage of

skilled labor is slowly eroding the traditional view that woman have to resign on

marriage.

The role of man: Men are expected to be married by 35 yrs of age. The function of

male is to earn sufficient money to take care of his family, which involves working

hard, spending long hours at company and gaining promotion. In general, the Japanese

males are not really comfortable with the Western Modern views about the position and

progress.

Communication Context:

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Japanese uses the high context. High context is indirect, vague and message can only be

understand by knowing the speaker, by recognizing body language or by inferring from

tone and past conversation what is being discussed. Japanese find it difficult to speak

directly in public. They are more comfortable in discussing sensitive matters openly inbars or golf course. Japanese lacks on verbal and likely to express their feelings in non-

verbal ways.

Other indirect forms of communication include the aizuchi language pattern. The

term refers to responses to whatever the other person is saying in order to show one is

listening need to interrupt Yes , I See. The verbal forms indicate the point of

listening rather than agreement. Japanese more likely to make comment in a form of

questions as, the food here is expensive, isnt it which means, the suggested

restaurants prices are high and the speakers wants to find another restaurants price list

for available items.

Japanese typical form of requests

I am not certain of my information, but.

I hope this request is not too demanding

I apologize for my ignorance, but

Japanese often hesitate to ask direct question. This can be rectified, once the

relationship has been firmly established it is possible to suggest further discussion be

done openly. While writing letter, it is possible to begin with the social greetings and

writer shall states omit formalities. This enables the writer to state his requirement

without insulting the reader.

Japanese like slogans and Japanese business post numerous slogans on walls and

bulletin boards in offices and work areas. Resembling one line haiku poems, slogans are

used to motivate the workers. Another unique aspect of the Japanese form of

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communication is the use of seals to stamp documents instead of using hand written

signatures.

Japanese do not use the telephone, faxes, or other impersonal forms of communication

for personal purpose. Personal communications are limited to personally written letters

and personal visits. Japanese preferred face to face visit to maintain the personal

relationship.

Initiating the Business Contact:

Making initial contact with a Japanese company is not easy. They consider such a

writing letter requesting an appointment, making telephone call and paying a visit inperson are usually considered impolite and discourteous. Japanese believe the telephone

call is an impolite means of initiating business and even today they use rarely. Japanese

usually avoid any serious business transaction with strangers unless they can first meet

with them face to face. Japanese Business people with lower status will never call the

other business people in higher status position for an initial appointment.

In a rare situation, a letter of introduction or phone call may work. For example, a letter

from a senior professor to his former student for whom he found the present job will be

honored. Almost all Japanese companies will politely refuse to grant an interview to an

aggressive salesperson who comes in without an introduction or appointment.

Shokaisha Introducer

One of the best ways of initiating a viable business relationship in Japan is to obtain a

letter of introduction from an introducer. A good introducer is a person respected and

trusted by both parties. Not only he act as match making but also need to act as

mediator in case of any future conflicts. Introducer can be personal friend, banker,

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company executive, or business consultant. A personal friend is the best sources for the

introduction because the Japanese prefer to do business with friends. And because every

Japanese maintains a network of many close friends, to find the mutual friend of the

prospective business associate. Among Japanese business people, friendship can be

Employment:

Japanese companies can be understood as large families and clans (extend families) in

which all member shares the common identity. The fact that roughly 30%, of all

employees of larger corporations found their jobs through personal recommendation

and connections prior to employment. The senior mentor teaches the new employee to

engage in appropriate behavior, including how to dress, how to drink, and how to

work well with others. Recruits do not hire the employer because of the attractiveness

of specific position or financial rewards. Recruits are asked to join the company as a

whole and trained for first five years of employment to discover where recruits can be

best used. On the job training frequent job rotations develops the recruits talents and

determines where he can be opted permanently. For Japanese, the company name is

more important than the job title For Japanese people, the community they belong to

is much more important than what they do."

Japanese business culture is still dominated by the concept of 'lifetime employment'. A

young man, entering a large corporation such as NEC immediately after graduating

from university at age 22, anticipates that he will retire from that same company when

he reaches age 65. For the majority of employees at Japan's major corporations, that

promise of lifetime employment still holds true. Even in smaller companies where labor

liquidity is higher, good employees may well stay with one employer for life. These

long-term relationships create very strong bonds between a company and its employees.

Indoctrination and training of New Employees:

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Indeed, indoctrination and training are carefully designed and executed to sole purpose

of making every employee a dedicated member of the company who will be willing to

make total commitment. The initiation training (Shinyushain Kenren) begins with a one

or two week camp at mountain resort or Buddhist temple site leased by the company.

All new recruits are required to participate in physical, mental and spiritual exercise

designed to help them fully realize their exact role towards organization goal. The

typical training camp is to build group spirit and to instill good work ethics. Training

routines begins with five mile jog at dawn before breakfast and followed by mediation,

recitation of the company creed and signing of company songs, followed by lectures of

senior management and management consultant. The group day ends with discuss the

reflection meeting. Any groups that failed to live up to the expectation of the trainers

must apologize and promise to do better the following day. For spiritual training, all

trainees are required to participate in daily Zen medication. They may have to mediate

for few hours in the unheated mediation hall of a Zen monastery on the cold early

morning. Japanese trainers seem to believe that mental toughness can be attained only

through self reflection and introspection under serve conditions.

Common Traits of Salary man:

They are loyal and dedicated to the company

Work first and family next

Consistent & Reliable

They never criticize their company, co-worker or manager

Obsessed with details & evaluate all options

Stick to norms and policy of company

Conservative

Group Decision Making

Perfection:

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Japanese strive for total professionalism in whatever they do. Task is normally done

with careful dedication. Employees at all levels seek perfection and most try to do so.

The high quality achieved in products and services is a manifestation of this dedicated

approach. Thus the zero defect policy coined among the Japanese manufactures.Japanese customer on their part demand high quality products and perfections.

Hard work:

Companies expect their workers to voluntarily contribute their evening and weekends to

work. Japanese workers define loyalty to superiors and employers as including working

long hours. Long hours at ones desk or entertaining clients and colleagues are seen as

necessary to show ones loyalty to work, work groups and corporation. Many workers

who should be on vacation stay an extra day and return early to show their devotion to

the work group. Workers often drinks supplementary energy drinks to help them

recover from fatigue and lack of sleep.

This pattern of over work involves workers at all level. For example, a division

manager stays at his desk after the work day is finished to show his own superiors and

subordinates his dedication. As a result, fifty or more hours of work related behavior

are normal. Japanese never wants to let down the groups or team by not working hard

enough. Japanese workers are not likely to change job frequently to achieve higher

wages or better benefits.

The recent study shows, Japanese are facing with newly fatal disease called Karoshi

or death from over work. The victims die of heart attack, cerebral hemorrhage or

similar symptoms. The most likely candidate is a white-collar corporate accountedmore and recently death toll increased due to recent layoff and fewer worker

performing more duties and working harder.

Unemployment:

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Unemployment is consider as shame and treated as negligence of duty of men.

Unemployment not exposed to family member since it consider as neglect outlook of

the individual. Suicide rate are rapidly increasing due to unemployment problem.

Government has come with unemployment plan scheme, where the employees need tobe worked at least for six can enroll for the plan. In the course of unemployment the

government will provide 80 percent of month earning to the employee for low earners.

Group Harmony: (WA).

Living in groups inherited in Japanese Culture. Maintaining harmony among the groups

is called wa. Maintaining wa demands praising the groups rather than the individuals

contribution. Japanese praise the group, even if the one is responsible for the success.

Individual consideration will lead to disturb the harmony of the team. The group leader

is the symbol of the group and disagreement with a leader consider as disloyalty.

The concern of group harmony (wa) start when a person apply for the work in the

concern. Corporate recruiters believe that character, personality and loyalty are

considered as most important traits of the recruits. Business skills are secondary since

the corporate have extensive training sessions. Recruiters will consider whether the

recruits can go along with the co-worker and loyal towards the company.

Maintaining wa is the major responsibility of senior executive and also found in root

binding (practice of nemawashi). Before, a major decision is made senior executive

discuss informally with the subordinate to get prior approval for proposal is called

nemawashi. The same will be presented and everyone presents supports the proposal.

Trust, Benevolence, Amate

Trust is the bedrock of any relationship. If there is no trust, there is no reason to

establish the long lasting relationship when favors not be returned and obligation not

fulfilled. Japanese traditionally thinking, the foundation for any relationship is trust

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rather than a legal contract. Japanese spend too much time socializing and learning to

trust potential business partners before the initial stages of negation and discussion

begin.

Benevolence is a major Asian value derived from Confucianism. Confucius lectured

that those in power have a responsibility to protect the weak and help the subordinate.

The ideal leader treats subordinates with kindness and consideration to their needs. The

supreme example of benevolence is found in the concept of amate, which describes the

relationship of a mother and child. The child it is in fact helpless. In same manner those

in power should help the weaker.

Feelings & consideration: Honne and Tatemae:

Honne refers to ones own true intentions of feeling towards the subject. These are

rarely expressed emotion, since it will disturb the harmony of wa. Tatemae are

social lies and spoken to comfort the peers maintain the wa and to avoid conflicts.

Japanese consider tatemae important means maintain the wa.

Friendship:

Japanese are reserved and delay in making friends with foreigners until they are

convinced and degree of the trust has been established. Japanese consider New Friends

are burden and indicating friendship entail obligations and time. Japanese remains

formal and never invite co-workers to their homes. Japanese are very cold and reserved

towards the Strangers.

Greeting each other:Japanese not preferred for touching culture in public. Instead of shaking hands,

Japanese bow each other so as to greet. The Japanese bows usually indicate respect of

others. The general rule, the higher personality bow less and deeply than the other

lower rank personality. People greet each other by bowing.

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Bow an alternative to waving or saying "Hi.

Ranges from a small nod of head to along, 90 degree bend at the waist.

Greetings at Tatami Floor, people get to their knees in order to bow.

Bows are carefully calibrated to show different levels of respect.

A short, clipped bow of about 20 degrees is used for service people or

acquaintances. This bow should last no more than a second.

A slower, deeper bow is used for one's boss or department head.

The deepest bows are reserved for the company president or member of the

board of directors.

If people of unequal status bow the lower-ranking person should bow more

deeply than the higher-ranking person.

When bowing, hands should be placed on the sides of the legs above the knees. Feet

should be together. Don't bow more for than a couple of seconds except when praying.

Sometimes Japanese bow slightly to one side so they don't bump heads with the person

they are bowing to. Shaking hands is uncommon among the Japanese and exceptions

are made for foreigners, since foreigners are not well versed with proper bowing rules.

Introductions and shaking hands are accompanied with lowered eye because prolonged

eye contact is seen as impolite. It implies that merely showing respects by avoiding too

much eye contact.

Apology:

Japanese continue the custom of frequent apology. Whenever tensions develop in social

relationship Japanese frequently send apologies. Even innocent party, one involved in

automobile accident, expressed his apologies to the investigator, for having been a

participant. Foreigner receiving such note should consider the issue closed and accept

the apology and should be ready to send same apologies whenever appropriate.

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Topics Discussion:

At the outset, preliminary social talking is must before any business can be done.

Demonstrating a degree of knowledge about the Japan will impress the business

associate. This helps to develop a bond and builds a productive business relationshipmore quickly. In Japan, there are many safe topics and relatively unsafe topics.

Safe topics:

The Weather

Japanese Food, History, landscape gardening, Culture,

Restaurants

Japanese Painting

Local Shopping Centre

Japanese ceramics

Japanese Education

Japanese Theater and Arts

Sports

Unsafe Topics:

Politics

Religion

Sex

Japan and World War II

The American occupation after WW II

Japanese Production of Industry and Commerce

The Emperor and his role.

Do favor whenever required.

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It is important to try to do small favors for people with whom, meant to do business. In

Japanese culture, any small favors should be repaid and large one must be. The

Japanese record all obligations owed and owning in the daily existence.

Not to put money straight into peoples hand:

There is a tradition that money should not be passed from person to person directly, and

when buying something normally place the money in a saucer or other receptacle from

where it is removed. Any balance amount will be put in saucer which can be pick up

later.

No- No Eating and drinking on streets:

Eating and drinking while standing or walking down the road is regarded as barbaric.

Politeness pays

Japan is a nation that takes politeness very seriously. Proper behaviors are drilled into

children from the early ages. In Japan, there are rules to doing all kinds of normal

things. Few polite phrase and behave in polite Japanese way, people tend to be

impressed and friendly quickly. Ningen kankaei is a Japanese term that describes the

concepts of indebtedness and obligation which are central to understanding social

relationships in Japan. It is manifested in the careful tally that individuals keep of the

favors they have done for people and the favors that have been done for them and the

endless effort to repay people back either with an equivalent favor or gift that shows

appreciation. Ruth Benedict said that a primarily goal of every Japanese is not to owe

anyone anything

Business Meeting Etiquette

Business Hours:

Business and Government Office: 09.00 to 17.00 hours (week days)

Banks: 09.00 15.00 hours.

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Post Office: 09.00 17.00 hours

Saturdays: 09.00 12.00 hours (Common)

Business Attire: In Japan, business attire is conventional. Dark suits with white shirtwith matching ties. Causal attire need to be avoided. Wear slip-on tip shoes instead of

lack type shoes. Women should not wear trousers for business meeting and need to

dress conservatively with limited accessories. Short skirts which are consider in

appropriate. Black suits, white shirt and black tie is meant for funeral do not wear it for

business meetings.

Business Meeting:

Avoid scheduling meetings during the three main holiday periods and adjacent

weekends, such as years end and the New Year, Golden Week (end of the April and

early May) and the Obon Festival (mid August).

Punctuality is most important. Travel schedules need to plan head of estimated meeting

schedule time. Late coming need to be addressed 1 hour before the schedule, and it will

be useful for further rescheduling.

Business Card (Meishi): Never exchange the business card before the bow. Business

card can be exchanged before or after the meeting. Make sure to take adequate visiting

cards for business meeting since it is needed to distribute to the entire group. Double

side printed with Japanese and English visiting card will useful. Accept the cards in

both hands and always place in card holder once the meeting is over and express the

gratitude by saying Thanking You or Hajimemashite. Never place the business card

in the back packet of trousers which is consider disrespect. Forgetting the business card

of a salary man is considered to be rude. Never throw, slide or lob the business cards

across the table.

Always be punctual to the meeting. Be early to meeting at least before 10 minutes.

Inform late arrival before 1 hour of the meeting which can be communicated for

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rescheduling purpose. Wait to be seated in the meeting room because there s customs

regarding which party sits on physical side of the table. Taking notes is consider a good

habit good which indicates the dedication.

Exchange of Gifts: Exchange of gifts customary at the end of meeting. Gift ideas

include souvenirs from home town, gifts from high end retailers, and expensive wine.

Always present high end gifts to the head of the group which consider as respects.

Business Entertainment: Most of the business entertainment is done in restaurants or

bars after business hours. Business women should not attend Hostess Bar.

Never pour a drink yourself, always allow someone else to do it for you.

Let the host order and pay for the meal. Business may be discussed at dinner.

Punctuality not expected for social event.

Japanese rarely entertain in the home. If invited to the home b Japanese host, consider it

a great honor and display appreciation

While taking the host out for dinner insist upon paying. The Japanese will refuse but

insist. Make use of polite terms like itadakimasu at the beginning and gochisou-

sama-deshita at the end, it implies to host that you have enjoyed the meal.

Seat of Honor Kami-za: Japanese society was traditionally arranged vertically,

with superiors placed over inferiors in a hierarchy, with superiors placed over inferiors

in a hierarchy or ranks that extended from the emperor above to the lowest commoner

below. In any situation involving two or more people, the senior or ranking individual

took, or was given the place of honor. In any semiformal situation, from photo session

to a casual meeting in a coffee shop, restaurant, or company conference room ,

Japanese group will sort itself out according to real or perceived rank and give the

kami-za to the ranking or guest.

The Position of Honor

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Elevator : In the centre nearest the back wall

Car : Back seat behind the driver

At the Head Table : In the center of the table away from opposite door.

Train Coach : Window Seat or Centre SeatAirplane : Window seat about mid cabin, on the right side away from door

Walking with group : The centre of the group.

Personal habits:

Do not blow the nose in a public place.

Do not grab the hosts hand in first meeting, give a hearty shake.

Do not pat a Japanese man on the back or shoulder.

Do not make any derogatory remarks about anyone, including the competitors and own

employees.

Always be polite, pleasant, and be willing to learn.

Ask lot of question about the clients company.

Non Verbal Communication

Japanese nonverbal behavior is generally fairly reserved. Rapid or frequent hand

movements common among business people in the Americas, the Middle East, and

southern Europe may appear to be extreme by Japanese standards, and thus may prove

distracting

Eye contact in Japan also differs from that practiced widely elsewhere. Traditionally,

Japanese lower their eyes to show respect. Younger people lower their eyes to people

older than themselves, women lower their eyes to men, and subordinates lower their

eyes to superiors. The lowering of eyes as a sign of respect, however, is often

misunderstood in countries such as the United States, where lowering the eyes is a sign

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of dishonesty or insincerity and direct eye contact is a means for showing respect,

regardless of rank.

Facial Expressions

"Me?" ("Boku?" or "Watashi?")

A combination hand and facial expression used in the same way as Westerners pointing

to their chest and asking "Me?", except the Japanese point to the tip of their nose. This

is a very common sign and is also accompanied with signs of astonishment, false or

genuine surprise, indifference, or joy, depending on the situation.

Head frozen, using the eyes.

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When a teacher moves about the room often students will look straight ahead, avoiding

the eyes of the teacher. They may use their eyes to signal to other students or to express

anxiety, amusement, curiosity, etcNot looking into the eyes of a superior is appropriate

behavior, as is listening while facing in a different direction than the speaker,

particularly in confrontational or emotional situations.

Ko-omote Noh's 'young woman' mask

The Uses of the Smile

A smile can be used in the following situations;

Positive Smile: liking or agreeing with something.

Negative smile: when used immediately after a statement may signal a light

denial or joke.

"No comment" smile: Used when someone does not want to respond to a

question

Stoic smile: Used when someone is disappointed but unable for various reasons

to express this in words.

Apology smile: Used to gently ask for forgiveness.

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Confirmation smile: Used to ask what the other person may think of your ideas

or opinion

"That's difficult to believe"

When someone tells you a rather unbelievable story, begin applying saliva to the

eyebrow to suggest that you can't be fooled easily. This too is used to challenge

humorously a persons evasiveness in personal matters

"Let's not discuss that here"

The index finger pressed against the lips is a silent suggestion to stop talking, for

someone may overhear us. Most often used by one student to warn another that I have

entered the class, or occasionally by students who are aware that I understand Japanese

to students indiscriminate chatting.

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The "Baka! (You Fool!)" head slap, meaning, You silly person you, why did you do

that?

Bimbo Usuri (poor people's shaking) : A continually shaking leg while sitting.

Usually a nervous reaction and unconscious, this gesture can also be used to expressanxiety or a lack of confidence.

Folded Arms: With eyes lowered this can suggest someone is thinking hard. With eyes

open, folded arms may suggest you are disagreeing with the argument of the speaker

and can be considered somewhat defiant and hostile.

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Sitting with legs spread: can be seen as a symbol of confidence and superiority or a

sign of arrogance and rudeness, depending on the social relation and the situation.

Receiving and giving: Done with two hands, held out in front with a bow, when

receiving gifts, rewards and diplomas. Some students may surprise Western teachers

with the formality in which they give or receive certain papers. An additional thank you

when departing is to hold the gift in two hands in front and bow again. This is one way

students will let you know they have invested a great deal in their work or how much

they appreciate the teacher's efforts.

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Ojigi (Bowing from the waist): This traditional gesture of respect is very important.

The degree of inclination, from very slight to very low, depends on the relationship of

the people involved and the occasion. There is an art to this and foreigners would be

well advised to get some lessons from a friend before trying it at a formal affair or business meeting. In the classroom teachers will find a nodding bow useful for

acknowledging the more polite farewell or excuse me bows used by some students.

Knowing the nuances implied in bowing helps me read both conscious and

subconscious signals by students.

Unconscious bowing: So accustomed to bowing, people will bow even when it appears

unnecessary, as when on the telephone. This can also illustrate the severity of a

situation, as when an employee is being chastised on the phone. In the classroom

students will do it when they have inadvertently inconvenienced classmates or the

teacher. In some cases students remembering Westerners do not bow will bow in

apology for bowing.

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Sitting on desks, Standing on chairs: Japanese people think shoes are dirty. So they

always take them off before standing on a chair. Also, they do not usually sit on desks

and tables.

Os and Xs : O shape = O.K., present, good, score, etc. and can be represented by

the okay hand sign used in America. Often both hands and arms are made into a big

circle around the head. X shape = No good, absent, bad, no score, etc. made by

crossing two fingers like an X, or by crossing the forearms at chest level, in front of theface, or over the head.

"O.K." gesture in the American culture is a symbol for money in Japan

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Hands in your pants pockets: Considered a sign of laziness, or casual arrogance,

particularly when done in the presence of a teacher or superior, this is a common sign of

the tsuppari (pushy teenage hoodlums).

BANZAI! (HOORAY!) Literally means ten thousand years and is a cheer performed

by raising both arms above the head three times while shouting.

Hand Gestures:

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Come here (Chotto...oide)

Used when calling someone towards you, this gesture resembles a Western-style good-

bye, often confusing foreigners. With a somewhat limp wrist, flap four fingers in the

direction of the person you want to attract. Generally not recommended for superiors, it

is still considered preferable to yelling.

Good-bye (often accompanied with the English loan-word "bye-bye") Fingers fully

extended, the hand moved left and right rapidly. Compare with the Japanese Come

here #1

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No: Waving the hand, thumb towards the face, back and forth as if fanning in short

strokes, means no, not me, or no thank you, depending on the situation. Used a great

deal by students who do not know the appropriate English expression, or to avoid being

embarrassed about their inability to speak English. The more emphatic the wave themore emphatic the No.

Excuse me (Sumimasen): Used when cutting between two people, or as a general

apology. Derived from a Buddhist sign for blessing, similar to the two-handed

salutation used in Southeast Asia but with only one hand.

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Peace/Victory Sign

Counting: Opposite to that of the West, when counting start with the fingers extended,

and then fold fingers into a fist, starting with the thumb and finishing with the little

finger. Using the same hand folded in a fist raise the little finger for six, and continue

until an open hand again.

Indicating numbers: With a closed fist, raise the index finger for one, middle and

index for two, etc. using the thumb last.

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Oni(goblin): Indicates an angry person. Both Index fingers extend upward and slightly

forward, on either side of the head like horns, usually the head is tilted slightly forward.

Wiggle the fingers for emphasis. Often used by students when talking about their

parents.

"Let's go eat.": Index and middle finger extended in front of mouth to resemble

chopsticks, as if shoveling food from the other hand, which is cupped like a bowl.

Students have used this to remind me to break for lunch

Laying it on Thick: A hand gesture of grinding as if with a mortar and pestle, is used

to describe someone exaggerating or complimenting in order to seek favor

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Money: Fingers in the shape of a coin. Similar to an OK sign with an accent on the

roundness. Traditionally discussing money was considered vulgar. Samurai seldom

touched money. So this sign, though common among males, is not encouraged.

Pa! (Coo-Coo!, Crazy!): Place a fist along side the head and open it quickly, suggests

someone is stupid or crazy. Used both in fun or in criticism, as in the West.

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Tengu (Long-nosed goblin): Describes a conceited braggart. A clenched fist held in

front of the face, suggesting a long nose, like the goblin Tengu.

Clashing Swords: People are quarreling, can be indicated by hitting the index fingers

together as if in a sword fight.

Sushi: Resembles how sushi chefs prepare sushi and is used when talking about sushi.

Index and middle finger of one hand slapped into the palm of the other. As sushi is a

special kind of meal this means only sushi and not for eating generally.

Promise: To make a solemn promise lock little fingers with someone.

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Father Figure: The thumb raised can mean father, the boss, or a superior.

Woman: Raised little finger, can be some what vulgar when suggesting a married

man's lover. Suggests a woman is involved in some way .

To steal: Traditionally used among thieves to suggest stealing or when talking about a

thief.

Conclusion:

From the ashes of World War II, the nation of Japanese elite rose to power, making

their nation an industrial giant and economic super power for decades. Japan depicts the

spirit of sacrifice and patriotism that originally drove the team of Japanese. Business

ethics to social ethics Japan have unique approach compared to the rest of the World.

Japan remains as only example of Commitment, Perfection, Politeness, Details

Oriented, Respects of Age, and Cultural Harmony. But one thing remains indigestible

growing rate of suicide rate. Nearly 35000 people were committing suicide per annum.

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Such traditional culture suffering from acute syndrome which is need to be diagnose in

proper sense.

Sources and Reference:

Books:

Japanese Etiquette & Ethics in business - Boye De Mente

Japanese Business Culture and Practices: A Guide to Twenty-First Century -

John P. Alston, Isao Takei

Japan: Doing Business in a Unique Culture - Kevin B Bucknall

Passport Japan: your pocket guide to Japanese business, customs & etiquette.

-Dean W. Engel, Ken Murakami

Going to Japan on business: protocol, strategies, and language - Christalyn

Brannen

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