Useful Tips on Business Etiquette in Japan

Although Japan and America have developed into close allies, constantly engaging in cross-culture exchange, many Americans are still nervous to travel to Japan for business. The nature of Japanese business matters - the complex rules of social hierarchy and politeness - are like an impossibly complex maze that most Americans dread. In reality, however, Japanese business manners are a combination of cultural sensitivity and common sense that can be learned easily. Here are a few tips to use during travel to Japan.

Basics of Polite Conduct

Bowing: Japanese show respect to one another by bowing. The rule of thumb here is to meet your Japanese business partners halfway: begin the bow, but let them end it. They will know whether you or they should bow lower, and will act accordingly. In a bow, keep your hands at your sides and bow about 45-degrees. The Japanese will bow back, either deeper or more shallowly depending on what is necessary. No matter what, don't bend as low as 90 degrees: if meeting someone that must bow lower, they could fall on their face just by trying to be polite! That's certainly no way to encourage business. Also, remember that although it's a good idea to learn the basics of bowing, Japanese understand that the handshake is international standard, and will probably greet you with this as well.

Eye contact: In America, holding eye contact shows that you are being honest, and that you're a strong and confident person. However, prolonged eye contact is considered very rude in Japan, and should be avoided.

Business cards: In Japan, a person's business card, or "meishi," is viewed as an extension of the person themselves. Therefore, you must be careful to be respectful of it. When a person hands you a business card, take it with both hands. Take a moment to look it over. Most Japanese that interact with Americans for business will have cards that either have both Japanese and English, or English-only cards. Note the name and position of the person. Once you've looked at it, carefully put it away in a business card holder or your wallet. Do not simply put it in your pocket, and NEVER write on or fold a business card. In the same way, when you present a business card to a Japanese associate, hand it to them with both hands, words facing up and positions so that the person you hand it to will not need to turn it to read it. Make a small bow while you offer it. While 45-degrees is not necessary, you should do more than simply bow your head.

Useful Phrases

Of course it would be wonderful to have a firm, fluent grasp on the Japanese language before traveling to Japan on business, but many times this isn't feasible. The Japanese language, and especially Japanese polite language, is a maze of complexities that is difficult even for Japanese to learn. All the trips presented here present a basic level of politeness which will allow the Japanese you interact with to set the tone of your conversations in a way that it natural and correct to them. Even if you make a few mistakes, don't worry: Japanese people understand that their language is very difficult for English-speakers to learn, and will be happy and impressed to see that you've made an effort.

Hajimemasite (hah-jee-may-mahsh-tay): This phrase literally means, "it begins," and is the Japanese equivalent of "How do you do?" or "Nice to meet you." Use this when you first meet or are introduced to a person. If you're feeling brave, try introducing yourself by saying your full name and the word "desu" (des). For example, "Hajimemashite. John Smith desu." This means, "Nice to meet you. My name is John Smith."

Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu (doh-zoh yoh-rohsh-koo oh-nay-guy-she-mahs): This is a complex phrase to translate into English. It essentially means "Please depend on me as I will depend on you." This is a good phrase to include after introducing yourself.

Arigatou gozaimasu (ah-ree-gah-toh gohz-eye-mahs): This means "thank you." Because Japan is much more focused on politeness than America, try to say this more often than you would normally would in America.

Otsukare-sama deshita (oh-tsoo-kah-ray sah-mah desh-tah): A good phrase for after leaving a meeting, this means "You must be tired." The phrase is used to show concern for how hard the other person has been working. However, as this phrase is a little bit friendlier and a little less business-like, it's safest to use only with people that are the same level or lower than you (i.e., anyone who bows equally deep or deeper than you when you bow to them).

Additional Resources

"Japanese Business Culture and Practices: A Guide To Twenty-First Century Japanese Business" (http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Japanese-Business-Culture-and-Practices/John-P-Alston/e/9780595355471)

http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/japan.htm

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2195.html