Japan Business Club

Agenda Culture & Social issues Special Guest Doing Business in Japan Taku’s Cooking class

Interesting gestures (culture?) Scandal Service First meet Apology with his boss Bowing Key point : Eye contact, Awkward moment → anyway, Bow.

Interesting Data (Social) New York2.9 Paris3.4 London6.9 Tokyo12.9 Cost of home as multiple of annual income Data in1994

Some people may ask (Food) Is it true that farmers who produce “Kobe beef” massage their cows? ++ = YES To make the beef tender and marbled, feed them beer and massage them. → High Price

Some people may ask (Sports) Why do sumo wrestlers wear only a loincloth? Not punishment !! Simply, to show that they are without weapons

Some people may ask (Leisure) Are Japanese public baths and hot springs coed? I wish.. but normally not! Although about 300 years ago, it was allowed. Now, there are a few hot springs that remain coed, but be careful, they are mostly frequented by “elderly” people.

Traditional 1 (Play) What is “Kabuki”? The most well-known Japanese theatrical art Consists of music, dance, and acting Started in Kyoto a long time ago Performed only by “males” (female impersonators play female role)

What is “Shamisen”? Three-stringed instrument similar to a banjo. Originated in China and introduced to Japan around 16 th century. The body was made with the skin of a cat, or dog. (I have no idea why but it used to be) Silk thread is used for the strings. Traditional 2 (Music) Traditional + Younger generation = novelty and new performance

Listen!!!!

Special Guest Key Words, Japanese traditional music successor Japanese drum Class of 2007 Japanese student’s wife No charge (only this time!!!). No explanation, just listen!!!!

- Daily schedule - How to enjoy sake with your boss - Correct way to exchange business cards - Advice for you in business with the Japanese We would like to introduce the Japanese Business which you cannot find in text books and internet. Japanese Business GDP, GNP TOYOTA, SONY

My daily schedule 6:30 Uprising 7:00 Leave for the train station on foot 7:10 Get on the commuter train 8:10 At the office 20:00 Finish working and go out for Sake 21:30 Get on the commuter train 23:00 Come back home 1:00 Go to bed Regular basis: 9:00am to 17:30pm We have flexible time system that allow us to come to office later and to go home earlier.

How to enjoy Sake with your boss(1) Boss usually arrives at Sake party last. Subordinates are prohibited from eating and drinking anything before the boss arrives. We speak evil of boss. When boss appears, everybody should stand up and bow deeply.

How to enjoy Sake with your boss(2) How to pay respect to boss -Usually, we share dishes. Subordinates should not eat type of food on their dish until the boss eats that type first. - Subordinates care for boss’s sake. We have to always keep the boss’s glass full. That is, we have to pour sake immediately after boss drink it. - We should never say “it is time to go” before boss says so.

How to enjoy Sake with your boss(3) Where to sit. The place is determined based on seniority. Table Entrance

We have seniority even in a taxi. We have seniority even in an elevator. Driver 123 4

What happen if we ignore these rules. You’re fired !

Short comedy Situation Boss suggested to his subordinates going out for drinking Sake at 8:00 pm. They arrived at Sake bar earlier and are waiting for boss’s coming. They start to talking about “boss”.

Custom on exchanging business cards We exchange it standing up and with a bow. Pass with right hand and receive it with both hands

When doing business with Japanese You do not have to be able to speak Japanese. However, a few basic Japanese words may make your business easier. - People call each other “ Last name plus San” in business occasion. Ex. Tanaka-San - Good morning = Ohayoh Gozaimasu - Good afternoon = Konnichiwa - Good evening = Konbanwa - Good bye = Sayohnara - Thank you = Arigatou Gozaimasu We can combine these with name. Ex. Tanaka-San, Arigatou Gozaimasu

Hiragana You can write your name easily in Hiragana Example: Suruchi: するち

Sushi How often do you think I eat sushi in Japan? Answer: A few times a month How often do you think I have Mc Donald’s in Japan? Answer: Once a week

How to prepare Sushi We have four types of Sushi - Makizushi - Temaki - Nigiri - Chirashi Today, Taku will show you how to prepare Makizushi and Temaki. You can enjoy making Temaki by yourself.

Maki zushi

Temaki zushi (you are making today)

Nigiri zushi

Chirashi zushi

How to cook Maki zushi 1. Lay rice on laver

2. Put ingredients on the rice

3. Roll up

How to cook Temaki

Let’s go outside and enjoy Sushi! Thanks for your coming