Business in Japanese Culture

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Unsurprisingly, Japan’s foundational cultural values are also present in their business culture, that being harmony, hierarchy, and conformity. Japanese businesses run on mutual respect, group consensus, and appreciation for the hierarchy. These values are manifested through daily interactions. Punctuality is very appreciated in Japanese business culture, and arriving only a few minutes late without notice is a great sign of disrespect. Group consensus is also highly valued in Japanese business culture as a way to maintain harmony. In a recent activity, I learned about the concept of “nemawashi”. It is a procedure to build group consensus that consists of talking to everyone privately about a potential decision, gathering information, and incorporating feedback into a proposal before publicly announcing it. The concept of “horenso” in Japanese business culture is one that prioritizes hierarchy. Horenso means to “report”, “consult”, “contact”; essentially it is the idea that if a problem were to occur, low level employees are expected to report the problem to higher management, which would then report it to their supervisor, and ultimately the supervisor is the one to find a solution (Scroope, 2021). 

Business Greeting and Introductions

 When greeting someone in Japanese culture, a bow is expected. Business cards are also very important in introductions; the concept of “meishi” (the representation of a person on a business card) is essential to formal introductions in business. Treating meishi with respect is extremely important.
  •  Conversation Topics
    • Broad topics are appreciated. Indirect communication and subtlety are highly appreciated in Japanese business culture; politeness is prioritized over honesty.
  • Business Attire
    • Dark colors and suits are the most appropriate attire to wear, it is important to never be the least dressed person (japanprint.com, n.a.).
  • Gift Giving
    • Gifts should be very presentable (wrapping and manner in which receiving or gifting). Express humility by slightly refusing a gift, however do accept it.



Potential Communication Challenges

One potential communication challenge that an American might have when in Japanese business is accepting the slower decision making process. As stated previously, Japanese business culture highly values consensus, however a downside of consensus is how long it takes to get there. Unlike American business, where decisions are made swiftly, and without input from some people, Japan takes their time to ensure that everyone is involved. It may also take some time to get used to deferring to authority at most obstacles. Individuality and problem solving ability is valued in American business, but in Japan most problems should be reported, and a supervisor would find a solution. Another communication challenge may be adjusting to the nonverbal communication that Japanese people use. It is vital to bow in several circumstances in Japanese culture, whether it be a greeting, a goodbye, or a gesture of appreciation, it may be hard for an American to remember when to bow. Tone and silence also have a different meaning in Japanese business culture than in the United States. Raising your voice may be seen as a sign of power and assertion in American business, but it most certainly would be a sign of disrespect in Japanese business culture, no matter the circumstance.  The last potential challenge I will address is the indirect communication that Japanese people engage with. An American may not have a problem saying “no”, however such direct communication could disrupt the harmony that Japanese culture values. It would be important to use context to figure out the true meaning behind words, and to not assume that the absence of a rejection is acceptance. 


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