DOING BUSINESS IN JAPAN By Karen Correa Laurence Dervain Chris Fredrick Kraig McConihay.
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Transcript of DOING BUSINESS IN JAPAN By Karen Correa Laurence Dervain Chris Fredrick Kraig McConihay.
DOING BUSINESS IN JAPAN
ByKaren Correa
Laurence DervainChris Fredrick
Kraig McConihay
Introduction
General Information
Preparation for Business Dealings
Business Meetings
Communication
Business Entertaining
General Information
GeographyThousands 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 CitiesTokyo - 8.0 million
Yokohama - 3.4 million
Osaka - 2.5 million
Nagoya - 2.1 million
Sapporo - 1.8 million
Kobe - 1.5 million
Kyoto - 1.4 million
Economy
World’s 2nd largest economy
Some of the world’s largest industriesMotor vehicles and electronic equipment
In 2002: GDP = $3.55 trillionEconomy 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
TransportationShinkansen: 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 HolidaysJan 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
Electricity100 Volts
Many hotels have 110-120V
Varying frequency50 Hz to 60Hz
Take a Voltage Converter to protect equipment
ToiletsDifferent from those in the U.S
Familiarize yourselves with using them
When visiting homes, wear toilet slippers provided
Emergency Numbers
Toll free NumbersPolice 110
Fire 119
Ambulance 119
Preparation for Business Dealings
General Concepts
The group is more important than the individual
Avoid confrontations/ direct questions
StatusStrong 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 possibleDemonstrate skills and professional competenceMaintain a restrained, dignified mannerLearn about Japanese culture
Appointments
PunctualityCall personallyScheduling appointments: Avoid
New Year, Dec. 28 to Jan. 3Golden Week, April 29 to May 5O-bon, mid-August
Office hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 or 5:30 p.m.
Gift GivingImportant 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
GoodGourmet foodstuffs, fresh fruitElectronic toys Cuff linksSomething that reflects the interests and tastes of the recipientA 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 firstAvoid
accusations/ direct refusals
Atmosphere of grave seriousnessAvoid Western jokes Light humor OK during breaks
Business Dealings (cont.)
“Saving Face”
Hide moods, anger etc.
Every word said is taken literallyFor 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 answerWait for consensus
Oral agreements preferredRe-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, humilityBow in addition to shaking hands
Bow lower to someone of higher status
Also, if uncertain
Avoid unusual facial expressionsEx: Winking, shrugging shoulders
Bows and Gestures (cont.)
Business Entertaining
Dining OutAlways be punctualBe prepared to sit at very low traditional tablesTaking a Japanese businessperson to lunch/dinner
Select restaurant of your own cultureItadakimasu & 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