Business Culture in Japan

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1. Meeting and greeting rituals 1.1 General greeting Upon meeting the Japanese, it is advisable to address them as Mr. or Ms or address with their last name with a “san”. The term “san” is a form of respect but it is not applicable to our own name. The Japanese use the formal name; however you can ask them to address you by first name. Unless you are told to do so, do not address the Japanese by their first name, as it is disrespectful. (wilson learning worldwide, 1999) 1.2 Face to face greeting In Japan, greetings are treated with importance. It shows the amount of respect that one gives to each other and it is important to show the correct amount of respect and deference to someone based upon their status relative to your own. To do so, one must bow to the same depth that he or she has been bowed to as it signifies the status and relationship between the other party and you. Proper bowing method includes lowering your eyes when you bow and keep your palm flat on your thighs. (Greeting Rituals) Like the Westerners, handshake is also a form of greeting in Japan. However, it does not show the same amount of respect that a bow has. That saying, for a foreigner who does not know the proper way of greeting and since no one expects foreigners to generally understand the subtle nuances of bowing, a handshake is good enough for Japanese. (Greeting Rituals) 1.3 Business Meeting Etiquette In Japanese business etiquette, punctuality is important. Always arrive on time as a form of respect and do expect the same from your Japanese counterparts. It is advisable to book an appointment for each meeting at least a few weeks in advance. Using a phone call to arrange a meeting is the appropriate way instead of a mail or fax as it provide a fast reply and confirmation of the meeting with little miscommunication that a mail or fax might have. (Doing Business In Japan) Japan is
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