Business Traveling in Japan Shreya Patel

Business Meeting Etiquette Casual American-style attire is stills uncommon in the business world in Japan, but you should dress appropriately for the occasion when meeting your counterparts on business. When sitting down to a business meeting with Asian counterparts, generally the highest ranking person from the host sits first at the head of the table an then, other people will take their seats starting from the seats closest to him and working to the other end of the table. Non-alcoholic drinks will probably be served at the beginning of the meeting and they will be distributed in the order of descending importance of recipients. You may want to wait for the top guy to drink from his glass before starting on yours. You may want to take notes during the meeting. This will show that you are interested and will be appreciated by your hosts. However, you should keep in mind to never to write anyone's name in red ink (even your own) and so carry a black or blue ink pen.

Business Card Exchanges Guidelines: Cards are exchanged at the start of a meeting; make sure you have enough available for everyone. It’s better to stand up when exchanging cards with high-ranking people. While facing your counterpart, bow slightly and hand your card (with the Japanese side pointing up!) either with your right hand or both hands especially when receiving a card from someone else. Take time to review your counterpart's card carefully. You need to speak their name and position to pronounce it correctly. If the meaning is unclear, it won’t hurt to ask to be clear.

Business Card Exchanges Guidelines (cont) If meeting in passing, you may just carefully place the card in a shirt pocket or in a wallet or notebook, but DON’ T just shove it into your back trouser pocket!! If seated at a meeting, place the card gently on the table in front of you. Look at it often during the meeting in order to refer correctly to your counterpart's name and position. If meeting more than one person and have received multiple cards, arrange them neatly. The Japanese hand out their business card at the drop of a hat. Give your card to anyone that you want to stay in touch with for when you come back home from your trip to Japan.

International Gift Giving Etiquette - Japan Gift-giving is an important part of Japanese business protocol; gifts are exchanged among colleagues between July 15 & New Years Day! The best time to present a gift is your visit comes to an end. You can discreetly approach the recipient, indicating that you have a small gift. Avoid giving a gift early. Present gifts with both hands. Avoid these gifts: White flowers of any kind should be avoided; it creates superstition that potted plants spread sickness. Red Christmas cards

Japanese Business Dress Code Conservative Nature: conservative colors such as navy blue or black for both men and women. Avoid “loud” or flamboyant colors whenever possible. This is especially important men in suits. Key Factors: top quality materials and tailored suits higher the class of the suit For women: less revealing clothing Professional Wardrobe: is not limited to simply darker colors shoes that can be easily removed For women: flat shoes recommended, and limit jewelery Casual Attire Allowed?: not advised in for proper Japanese business etiquette.Japanese business etiquette

Japan Food and Drink Specialities: Teriyaki (marinated beef/chicken/fish seared on a hot plate). Tempura (seafood and vegetables deep-fried in a light batter). Sushi (slices of raw fish and seafood placed on light and vinegary rice balls). Sashimi (slices of raw fish and seafood dipped in soy sauce). Ramen, soba and udon (varieties of noodles, which can be served hot or cold, in soups or with dipping sauces). Kushikatsu (crumbed fish, meat and vegetables deep-fried on skewers) Yakitori (skewers of grilled chicken) Okonomiyaki (grilled savoury pancake made with shredded cabbage, seafood, pork and noodles) Champuru (Okinawan style stir-fry usually cooked with goya bitter melon) Obanzai (Kyoto home-style cooking based on vegetables, tofu and fish) Shojin-ryori (traditional Buddhist cuisine using vegetables, tofu and rice with very light flavouring

Japan Food and Drink (cont): Japanese food is usually eaten with chopsticks. Restaurants have table service and in some places it is traditional to remove shoes. No licensing hours. Drinking is subject to long-standing rituals of politeness. The host will pour a drink for the visitor, and will insist on the visitor's glass being full. It is rude for a visitor to pour one for oneself. Tipping never expected! Drinking age: 20 Drinks: Green tea is extremely popular. The quality of the tea varies greatly from houjicha (a common brown-coloured tea) and sencha (standard green tea), to genmaicha (green tea roasted with brown rice) and matcha (a bitter green tea used in tea ceremonies). Sake (rice wine served hot or cold). Shochu (strong vodka-like spirit usually mixed with soft drinks to make cocktails). Popular brands of beer are Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and Suntory.

Currency in Japan The currency in Japan is a yen. When you convert a US dollar into a yean, 1 US dollar is Japanese yen, and if you convert a yen to a dollar, 1 Japanese yen is 1 cent in the United States

Japan Health Care and Vaccinations Health insurance: strongly recommended w. high cost of treatment. Review healthcare policy & make sure it covers traveling to Japan. medications in Japan containing stimulants or codeine are illegal. Sudafed & Vicks: not allowed Take food and water if heading to Fukushima nuclear accident. Stay up-to-date about routine vaccinations that are highly recommended.

Transportation in Japan Japan is easy to get around & you don’t really need a car. Many cities have public transportation. -Shinkansen (bullet train) -Tokyo Airports (2): Narita International Airport & Haneda Airport -Japan Railways: JR East, JR Hokkaido, JR West, JR Kyushu, JR Shikoku, JR Central, and JR Freight -Kosoku (highway buses)

Traditional Gender Roles of the Japanese Family Leadership: Usually lead by men in households and larger familes & women have to listen male spouses. Marriage: Like western marriages, men propose to women even in miai (arranged marriage in Japan) where unmarried people and their families interview each other. It’s a mutual agreement. Child-Rearing and Elder Care: Women are the primary caregivers for kids such as their education, health and moral upbringing even if the wife works. The dad provides financially & spend time with kids on spare times, despite traditionally in charge of elder care who usally come with kids.

Traditional Gender Roles of the Japanese (cont.) Employment: Women were usually forbidden from participating in the workplace. But after World War II, Japanese customs had to change by allowing women to participate in the workplace.

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