September 10, 2009

Tips on Japanese Business Etiquette

By Jamie Kerr | Add a comment

When engaging in business ventures in Japan, it is important to have an understanding of the proper business decorum within Japanese culture. But if your flight to Tokyo is tomorrow, you definitely don’t have enough time to master all the intricacies of the rich Japanese culture.

To make your business traveling experience easier (and to avoid any potentially embarrassing moments), we collected some tips on proper verbal business practices in Japan.

1. Learn a few words in Japanese (especially “please” and “thank you”) and practice pronouncing them well. The Japanese are very polite, so using “hello”, “thank you”, and “excuse me” cannot be used in excess. If you have limited time to practice multiple phases, use the word “Sumimasen” to convey greetings, thanks, and pardon.
2. Let your colleagues introduce you to their peers. It is not seen as polite to introduce yourself.
3. When you are introduced, your full name will be shared and you will most often be formally addressed. Do not insist on being called only by your first name and do not call your Japanese colleagues only by their first name.
4. The Japanese try not to say “No.” Sometimes they’ll use phases like ‘it’s inconvenient’ or ‘it’s under consideration’ in replacement of “No.” Generally try to phrase questions so that they can answer yes, for example “Do you disagree with this?”
5. Try not to dominate the conversation or interrupt other people. If you find your Japanese partners or clients are struggling with English translation, it is seen as rude to finish their sentences. Be patient and wait for them to finish what they are saying.
6. The Japanese prefer to do business based off of personal relationships. Take the time to have a non-business focused conversation before a formal meeting.
7. Sayings and idiomatic expressions do not often translate into other languages, which is no exception in Japanese. Try to avoid these phrases in conversation.
8. It is very common for multiple pauses to happen in the course of conversation with the Japanese. Nothing is wrong, and there is no need to fill the void.
9. Do not speak loudly and never shout or lose your temper while having a conversation.
10. The Japanese are often non-confrontational, so it is important to listen to what is not said and to pay attention to non-verbal communication.

While the Japanese are very familiar with Western business practices and will not expect you to speak Japanese or know all the nuances of their business etiquette, any efforts to participate in their traditional customs will be appreciated and make for a more comfortable business exchange.