Business and Social Etiquette

Japan

Christina Flores

What to expect in JapanTOPICS

Social Interaction Social Interaction

Gestures and Body Language

Everyday Activities

Business Etiquette

Dining

National Holidays

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Gestures and Body Language

• Do not sit in a way that shows the sole of the shoes

• Do not lean on your chair, sit on the edge to show respect

• Do not leave hands in your pockets when speaking to someone

• Do not lean against a wall or door

Sitting and StandingGreeting

• Touching is considered taboo, do not pat a person on the back or put your arm around their shoulder

• The Japanese like their space, keep your distance when bowing

• When someone points at their nose, they are referring to themselves

Distance and Touching

• Japanese equivalent of the Western hand shake is to bow, although the handshake is common among international guests

• Females maintain both arms to the front

• Males keep their arms to the side

• When speaking to a Japanese individual, make very brief eye contact, prolonged eye contact is considered rude

The Proper Business Bow

Female BowMale Bow

• Dress appropriately for the occasion• Sitting arrangements will be determined in the meeting, you will be

directed to the appropriate seat• Stand at your seat and wait for the host to tell you to be seated• When the meeting ends, wait until the host stands up before

standing up yourself• Consider bringing a souvenir to present to the host, it will be

appreciated• The host may give you a gift as well, be appreciative, but do not

open until you leave.• Show interest by taking notes, carry a blue or black pen• A negotiating strategy in Japan is silence, do not be tempted to

interrupt, be patient.

Business Etiquette

• Hosts could bring up ideas about socially getting together• Do not be offended if the host does not pull

through with the invitation• Do not aggravate the host by insisting on a

get together

• Japanese love to drink alcohol, it would be a plus for you to drink while socially interacting with the host.

• It is common to go out for another round of drinking either for coffee or alcohol

• Do not drink from the bottle, pour beverage into glass or cup

• Hosts tend to insist on paying for the tab because you are a visitor

• It does not hurt to offer to pay• Offer to pay for drinks after dinner to be

polite, most likely the host will still pick up the tab

Social Interaction

Who pays?

Alcohol/Drinks

Invitations

Dining

• Dinner meetings are to be held in restaurants• When eating, try some of everything, and look like you are enjoying

your food• Do not stick chopsticks in rice, set chopsticks on the side of the

plate or on chopstick holder• Do not play with chopsticks and do not use chopsticks to pass food• Do not pour soy sauce directly over rice, instead pour on a small

dish• It’s okay to slurp your noodles, in fact it would be rude not to• Let others serve you, let them pour your drink and you can do the

same as well• Do not leave tips, it is considered offensive

Many people in Japan wear surgical masks in public to avoid spreading germs while they are sick, do not blow your nose in public, it is considered rude.

Silence is golden, talking loudly on a train or subway, or while talking on a cell phone is considered vulgar.

Do not eat and walk in public, it is frowned upon.

Everyday Life

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Do not wear shoes indoors when visiting a private home. Shoes are to be taken off at the door.

National Holidays

January – 1 New Year, 2nd Monday (Coming of Age), February – 11 (National Foundation Day)

December 23 – Emperor’s Birthday

May – 5 (Children’s Day), July – 3rd Monday (Ocean Day)

October – 2nd Monday (Health and Sports Day), November 3 – Culture Day

April – 29 (Showa Day), May – 3 (Constitution Day), May – 4 (Greenery Day)

September – 3rd Monday (Respect for the Aged Day), 23 – Autumn Equinox Day

November 23 (Labour Thanksgiving Day)✓

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Shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions are open on national holidays except on New Year

Doing Business in JapanVideo - Tips