Secrets of Japanese Business Etiquette

Japan’s unique culture has been shaped by trends and forces from within and outside the country. An understanding of these and how they have shaped Japanese society will help you in your dealings with Japanese people, businesses and society in general. The Japanese have been very effective at adapting religions and schools of thought from outside the country. Confucianism and Buddhism came to Japan through China and Korea, with the Japanese taking these teachings and adapting them to local conditions and sensibilities.

These are some Japanese business culture and etiquette :

1.      Age and status 

Respect for age and status is very important in Japanese culture, with hierarchy affecting all aspects of social interactions. The Japanese are most comfortable interacting with someone they consider their equal. Status is determined by a combination of someone’s role in an organisation, which organisation they work for, which university they went to and their marital situation. 

2.      Business card

The exchange of business cards (meishi) is an essential part of initial meetings in Japan and follows a strict protocol. It allows the Japanese to quickly determine their counterpart’s all-important position, title and rank. While still standing, you should politely hand a business card over with two hands, and receive one in return. A slight bow as a form of respect when exchanging is usually performed. Do not simply drop the card into a pocket; instead take a few seconds to review names and titles, commenting on them if time permits. If you are sitting down, place it on the table in front of you for the duration of the meeting. If possible, place the most senior counterpart’s card at the top with their subordinates’ below or to the left.

3.      Japanese names

As in many parts of Asia, Japanese family names come first, and are followed by the given name. For example, if someone is introduced as Tanaka Hiroshi, Tanaka is the family name and Hiroshi is the given name. It is usual to address someone by their family name followed by the honorific san, Tanaka-san for example. While san is similar to Mr, Mrs and Ms in English, san is more versatile in that it can be used for both genders and goes perfectly well with a family name or given name. But do not use san when referring to yourself. For Australians doing business in Japan, the family name followed by san will usually be sufficient. Always address people by their family name until you have been invited to call them by their given name.

4.      Building relationship

Japan is a more relationship-oriented culture than Australia, particularly when it comes to doing business. Japanese want to know and trust someone before they do business with them. Relationships are developed through informal social gatherings and generally involve a considerable amount of eating and drinking.

5.      Dress code

Appearance is very important, and Japanese people tend to dress more formally than Australians. Business attire is conservative, with an emphasis on conformity rather than individual expression. Men should wear dark-coloured business suits with ties and white shirts. Jewellery for men should be kept to a minimum – a watch and a wedding ring would be fine. Women should also dress conservatively and in subdued colours.

6.      Modesty

Japanese culture values modesty and humility. Speaking in a quiet tone and not gesticulating too much will go some way towards giving a modest, calm and humble impression. 

Well readers… that’s new information about Japanese work customs and thankyou for reading😊

Employees Who Greet Each Other While Bowing, Are One of The Japanese Work Customs Called “Ojigi”

The view of employees who greet each other while bowing before leave-taking with their partner is a common sight found in Tokyo at night. Ojigi is done to show respect and politeness towards the other person. As with the use of Japanese language, which must change the level of politeness depending on the person you are talking to, the way to do ojigi varies depending on the object. The following is a basic knowledge of Ojigi that must be known if you want to communicate well with Japanese society.

Ojigi in Past and Nowadays :

Culture originating from China and conveyed through the teachings of Buddhism is done to show one's status. For example, when giving greetings to people with higher positions, someone must bow to give a sign that they are not a threat. That ettique can still be seen in historical films or dramas, especially when the drama is about common people faces kings, queens, or other powerful people. In this modern era, the ojigi culture is still practiced in Japan. Ojigi is used to thank, ask for something, congratulate, and apologize. Japanese people from children to adults must know how to do ojigi correctly to get along well in society. Well, these are the types of ojigi that need to be known.

1.      Eshaku 

Doing ojigi to friends or relatives doesn't matter even if you just nod your head at a glance. However, if the object is a colleague in the office, use 'eshaku'. Eshaku is usually used among colleagues in the office to just give greetings like good morning or ‘otsukaresama desu’ (thank you for your hard work). The way to stay stood while lowering your head 15 with an angle of about 15 degrees.

2.      Senrei 

Senrei is ojigi which is done while sitting. Usually used during formal or semi-formal situations. The trick is to bend body and head 30 degrees, then hold this position for 2-3 seconds.

3.      Keirei

              

Keirei is the most official and common type of ojigi. Performed by standing and then bending 30 degrees. Generally used to greet others like customers, to show gratitude or when meeting new people.

4.      Saikeirei and Shazai 

Saikeirei, this type of ojigi is quite rare. This ojigi is done to managers, in-laws, superiors or important business partners, and so on as a form of respect and deep apologies. How to do this by bending your body 45 degrees with your head lowered, then hold this position for approximately 3 seconds.

Shazai, this is the most rare type of ojigi to find. The body bends 70 degrees and this position is keeping hold for approximately 4 seconds. How to bow like this is usually done when making a big mistake in the company until causing problems for clients.

Wah, it is very tiring to bow 70 degrees until 4 seconds…

Ojigi is a culture that is rooted in Japanese society, it is not even rare to find Japanese people who call while doing ojigi. Always respecting and being polite to others is indeed the essence of Japanese people who have been formed for a long time through a long history.

Well done.. You have read about Ojigi culture in Japan, so you can apply this to Japanese society as a symbol of politeness and respects each other while working and other situation. Thank you for reading… 😊

The Japanese Art of Sleeping at Work (Inemuri)

In most countries, sleeping at work is not only embarrassing, it might even cost one’s job. But in Japan, sleeping in the office is common and is socially accepted. In fact, it is often seen as a sign of diligence as in “the person is so dedicated to their job that they worked themselves to exhaustion”. Japan is one of the most sleep-deprived nation in the world. One study suggests that an average Japanese sleep only 6 hours and 35 minutes each night. Hence most fall asleep during commute or at work, in parks, in coffee shops, in bookstores, in shopping malls, and in any other public place. It is so widespread and so normal, that the Japanese have a word for it inemuri which means “present while sleeping”.

It was during the period of postwar economic boom that the nation gained the reputation of a hardworking nation with no time to sleep. People worked long hours and then napped during the notoriously long commute back home. Students stayed up late cramming and then dozed off during classes next morning. It seems contradictory, but the tolerance for falling asleep during meetings, classes, and social gatherings is widespread in Japanese culture.

But there are rules to innemuri, it depends on who you are :

1.      If you are new in the company and have to show how actively you are involved, you cannot sleep. But if you are 40 or 50 years old and its not directly your main topic, you can sleep. The higher up the social ladder you are, the more you can sleep.

2.      Even though the sleeper might be mentally ‘away’, they have to be able to return to the social situation at hand when active contribution is required. Your body needs to pretend that you are active in a meeting, like you are concentrating. You cannot sleep under the table or anything. You have to sit as if you are listening intently, and just put your head down.

There are a few close cousins to the inemuri culture that can be found in other countries too, such as the Spanish siesta ( a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal), and the Italian riposo (an extended lunch break that lasts for 2-3 hours allowing people to nap).

In recent years, the practice of napping at work has received support from a number of employers across the world. Notable among them is Google, Apple, Nike, BASF, Opel, the Huffington Post and Proctor & Gamble, who provides dedicated napping rooms and sleeping pods for employees to take short naps during office hours.

Thanks for reading..

Japanese vs American work customs, which one do you like more?

Hello readers… new information today is about the difference work customs between two coutries that is Japan and America.

Different countries, different cultures. Including work customs, one of the factors that makes the culture of country A different from country B is the history of each country. Now let’s see the difference of Japanese and American work customs:

1.      Formal vs Casual

Japanese formal uniform

Japanese work customs make workers there more formal than America. Especially in areas with the largest working population such as Tokyo. The major of Japanese formal uniform tends to be dark like gray or black. Women wear white shirts, dark blazers and heels. While men wear shirt with tie.

Unlike America, which has more casual style. According to Deirdre Clemente, an American cultural historian, the way to dress is a form of freedom, a value that has been uphold by the people of America. So, anyone is free to choose an outfit that suits their character and preferences. This applies also in the world of work.

American casual suit

2.      Seniority culture

Japan has a work culture ho-ren-so, short for houkoku (report),  renraku (communication) and Soudan (consultation). In this culture, every employee in japan must report, talk and consult especially to their seniors. This make the juniors really reluctant with their seniors. In other words, in Japanese work custom the element of seniority is very thick. But seniority is clearly not applicable in America. As long as you have good skills, you can just express your opinions without going through senior permission first. Culture in Indonesia isn’t different much with Japan. Eating together with seniors, especially company officials is clearly difficult for ordinary employees.

3.      Individualistic vs Grouping

Japan and Indonesia are countries with a collective culture. Therefore, they tend to have a work customs in group. One of the impact is that Japanese and Indonesian people tend to be cautious in expressing opinions or critisms. They fear that there will be a negative impact. Conversely, even if American workers can work in group, they actually prioritize working alone. American also tend to be more encourageous in expressing their personal opinions even if they contradict senior opinions.

4.      Silent is a gold

In American work custom, meeting are the right time for rainstorming and discussing a project or problem. Disclaimer refuting opinions is a common thing, even among seniors and juniors. While Japanese culture considers meetings no more as an opportunity for reporting. So even though they have different views with their leader or the other person, they prefer to keep it in their hearts.

5.      Socialization after working

Still related to the collective work custom, Japanese employees often hang out or socialize after office hours. This is considered to strengthen relations between employees. Ranging from dinner together or going to karaoke after working. This habit also often happens to Indonesian employees. May be you are one of them..

Workers in every countries may be different. Even though it’s different doesn’t mean that one is better or worse than the other one. Every culture and habit certainly has its own positive and negative sides. Thanks for reading..😊