DOING BUSINESS IN JAPAN By Karen Correa Laurence Dervain Chris Fredrick Kraig McConihay

Introduction General Information Preparation for Business Dealings Business Meetings Communication Business Entertaining

General Information

Geography Thousands of islands; four largest islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku Bordered by the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean Smaller than California: 378,000 sq km Population of Japan: 125,000,000

Climate Varying climate: Temperate to sub- tropic Four seasons The summer is hot and humid Winters are mild Spring is Rainy Fall brings Typhoons

Major Cities Tokyo million Yokohama million Osaka million Nagoya million Sapporo million Kobe million Kyoto million

Economy World’s 2 nd largest economy Some of the world’s largest industries Motor vehicles and electronic equipment In 2002: GDP = $3.55 trillion Economy grew 0.8 percent in the September quarter in 2002 Problems faced: Deflation, record unemployment, bad loans

Currency Japanese currency: YEN $1 ~ 130 YEN

Currency (cont.) Better take plenty with you

Transportation Shinkansen: Electro magnetic trains "Tokido”: Shinkansen train running from Tokyo to Osaka Other types of transportations are taxis, buses and airplanes etc.

Religion Buddhism Shintoism Confucianism Christianity Islam

National Holidays Jan 1: New Year’s Day (o-shogatsu) Feb 11: National Foundation Day April 29 – May 5: Golden Week May 3: Constitution Day July 13 – 16: O-bon, festival of the dead Dec 23: Emperor Akihito’s Birthday

Electricity 100 Volts Many hotels have V Varying frequency 50 Hz to 60Hz Take a Voltage Converter to protect equipment

Toilets Different from those in the U.S Familiarize yourselves with using them When visiting homes, wear toilet slippers provided

Emergency Numbers Toll free Numbers Police 110 Fire 119 Ambulance119

Preparation for Business Dealings

General Concepts The group is more important than the individual Avoid confrontations/ direct questions Status Strong sense of hierarchy, rank or position

Business Attire Dress Code: Business Professional Dress Conservatively Women: Wear jewellery, makeup, and perfume sparingly

Business Attire (cont.) Take off shoes in temples and houses Slip-on shoes and good supply of clean socks Wearing a Yukata (robe) in traditional inns (ryokans) Wrap left over right

Business Cards (Meishi) Present and receive meishi with both hands. Print Japanese on one side Study the business card Include important information

Women in Business Inform them of your status as early as possible Demonstrate skills and professional competence Maintain a restrained, dignified manner Learn about Japanese culture

Appointments Punctuality Call personally Scheduling appointments: Avoid New Year, Dec. 28 to Jan. 3 Golden Week, April 29 to May 5 O-bon, mid-August Office hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 or 5:30 p.m.

Gift Giving Important Japanese business protocol The ritual of gift-giving is more important than the gift itself Present gifts with both hands privately Different gifts for unequal ranks Before accepting, refuse modestly

Good and Bad Gifts Good Gourmet foodstuffs, fresh fruit Electronic toys Cuff links Something that reflects the interests and tastes of the recipient A simple commemorative photograph Bad White flowers of any kind. Giving four or nine of anything. Red Christmas cards.

Business Meetings

Business Seating Order Standing/ sitting in order of seniority Face equally ranked counterpart Exchange Meishi Visiting side gets good side of room Side facing window

Business Dealings Refrain discussing business for first 15 minutes Start after “Jitsu wa ne” meaning “the fact of the matter is” Address the most senior member first Avoid accusations/ direct refusals Atmosphere of grave seriousness Avoid Western jokes Light humor OK during breaks

Business Dealings (cont.) “Saving Face” Hide moods, anger etc. Every word said is taken literally For ex: “This is killing me” or “This is the bomb” Remember: Convening among themselves, the Japanese will go over your proposal in painstaking detail.

Decisions and Contracts Group decision-making Do not push for an answer Wait for consensus Oral agreements preferred Re-negotiable

Communication

Conversations hello = “konnichiwa” good evening = “konbanwa” Direct remarks to senior member Frequently say “I’m sorry” (Go Men Na Sa I) Avoid complex jokes/ sarcasm Do not talk about WW2

Names & Titles Name order: Last name First name Attach an appropriate title to the last name San: the most neutral and famous title Sama: more polite form of san Do not add a title to your own name

Bows and Gestures Most important part of Japanese etiquette Shows respect, humility Bow in addition to shaking hands Bow lower to someone of higher status Also, if uncertain Avoid unusual facial expressions Ex: Winking, shrugging shoulders

Bows and Gestures (cont.)

Business Entertaining

Dining Out Always be punctual Be prepared to sit at very low traditional tables Taking a Japanese businessperson to lunch/dinner Select restaurant of your own culture Itadakimasu & gochisosama

Dining Out (cont.) Proper usage of chopsticks Drink responsibly Paying: Host always pays Bring your bill to the cashier Pay right after ordering or at vending machine Tipping not necessary

Karaoke Bars Sing along to popular songs Women are not allowed at geisha houses and sumo wrestling fights

Making a Toast Say “Kampai”, meaning Cheers Host sips first

Public Behavior Be polite always Always bow [“ojigi” (oh-jee-ghee)] No spitting, snorting or blowing your nose in public Smile to mask displeasure Direct eye-contact now common

Closing Bowing is extremely important Show respect and humility always Group is more important than the individual “Saving Face” is a very important concept

Questions