BUNKA'S Official Team !

Name : Edward Chan

Student I/D : 1305 0653

In Charge of :- Japanese Leadership 

Name : Chen Ji Shiong

Student I/D : 1302 4054

In Charge of :- Business Meeting in Japan

Name : Yeo Sze Theng

Student I/D : 1304 1439

In Charge of :- Woman's work and Japan's Hostess Culture 

 Name : Chan Nic Kee

Student I/D : 1303 4194

In Charge of :- Creating the Blog

                         - Editor

Name : Jeremy See To Rongyao

Student I/D : 1303 5563

In Charge of ;- Comparison of the business culture between Japan and America .

 Name : Siau Kai Yuan

Student I/D : 1303 4533

In Charge of :- Building Business Relationship Japan

Name : Meng Yee

Student I/D : 1304 1496

In Charge of :- Business Meeting and Greetings

in Japan

Name : Liew Kai Feng

Student I/D : 1304 0704

In Charge of :- Business Communication in Japan

Japanese Business Leadership

In today’s modern world of business, we can conclude that one of the most successful countries in the world will be Japan. It is because of its continuous growth in development of its cities and the ability to stand still after the Tsunami that wiped the place in 2011. 


The Japanese knows how to maintain its leading position. Does it have something to do with the system they are following? Theattitude they inherit? As well as leadership skills which are involved?

Generally, Japanese leaders are always very serious, continuously working, cooperative, good relationships with their colleagues, tolerant, self-disciplined as well as sympathy towards their subordinates. In terms of value and economic systems might have changed, but the traditional leadership standards are still remained fixed.


The Japanese emphasises on their sense of belonging, team work as well as being a good member. Part of the characteristics of Japanese business leaders would use  participative leadershipapproach which also involves employees being able to make decisions and emotional sense of belonging to the organization.Therefore, the participative leadership approach would be the most effective style of leadership.


The Japanese also identifies their work groups as to avoid confrontation and conflict. They are more cooperative in every single way just to complete their tasks. So, every group member will be responsible for lending a hand in achieving its goals as a group. And when they achieve their goals, The whole group will be rewarded rather than being individually rewarded.


The Japanese are Charismatic, Participative, Independent, Humane Oriented and also Team Oriented. As a communalistic society built on consensus-based decision making, mutual agreement and compromise, strong & decisive leadership has never been strongly encouraged by Japanese society as a whole.

Building a Relationship in Japan

In Japan, building relationship is very important. Thus, we need to be concerned when we build a relationship and not just focus on contract and benefits. To build a successful relationship with Japanese client, customer, proprietor or co-worker, compatibility is needed. Japan has many rules and regulation, we have to be careful when we talk and how we behave. So, when you communicate with Japanese, you will need to lower down your talking tone and speak gently. If you speak rudely, it will affect your personal and company’s image. When some disagreement happens, be patient and explain to them, don’t get angry, harmony is the answer of all situation. Japanese do not like to use word “NO”. Sometimes we may hear them saying “YES” but the real meaning of what they are trying to say is “NO”, so we need to understand the way they answer us. Our facial expression is very important, we have to be careful with our facial expression used, because they will misunderstand. Therefore, we will give a smile.

Trust is needed. Japanese time concept is very good. They will reach the meeting on time. Once make a promise, they will show on time. They won’t promise to others if they are not confirm their schedule of the day, thus once appointment is made, they won’t miss it. In Japan, the person who late is not attach importance to the meeting and known as a slacker. In case we late for friend meeting, can send a text to inform them. Japanese general forgive and nice to their foreign friend and understand their different culture. However, if the person keep late in every meeting, they eventually not ask her out anymore. In business perspective, trustworthiness to participants will decrease if they are late.

Punctuality is highly important in Japan

Japanese Business Communication

The business communication in Japan means the act of communicating well with other people when we’re doing business. The business communication in Japan is very unusual compared to other countries. Japanese communication are epitomised by shading and tone. Telephone and e-mail are popular and is accepted as a form of communication among the Japanese business culture. Both courtesy and etiquette are the basic communication when we converse with other people. Even though the technology is very convenient, but Japanese business also emphasis on the face to face communication. When Japanese have a negotiation, the seating place in business meeting are different. The one with the highest status will seat the furthest from the door. On the other side, the lowest status will seat nearer to the door. Apart from this, it will take our time when we work in Japan. This is because the Japanese has a habit of ‘beating around the bush’. Normally on the first meeting, the Japanese will not talk so much about business but instead they will want to know you more. They will talk to you about random stuff to get to know you more. There are many ways to be successful in Japan but only one main way to be successful in negotiations that is to prepare, prepare and prepare. We must not be too spontaneous in Japan. We must speak carefully when we are in trouble. We also shouldn’t be too pushy. This is a very bad behaviour in Japan. When the meeting is in silence, don not worry about that because they are releasing stress from themselves. Besides that, Japanese focuses less on the verbal communication and are more concern on non-verbal communication. The Japanese style of conversing is mostly a‘prejudgement’ because they normally listen to someone and they understand more than what the speaker is trying to tell. In Japan, this is called “ichi ieba ju wakaru”. When we are working with the Japanese, this is an essential to increase our intuition. We will be able to get more messages and will be able improve our ability to read. Communication difficulties are usually often seen in the cross-national meeting. Many businessmen only know how to speak English well and they are always worried about being misunderstood by Japanese businessmen as they only can speak and understand Japanese well. Therefore, we must learn to speak Japanese if we want to deal with Japanese businessman.

Eye Contact


Looking someone straight into the eye is meaning confidence in the other country. But in Japan it brings a different meaning. This  actions  shows  a  sign  of  challenge  and has no etiquette  in  Japan. The Japanese respect each other through their “eye contact” by looking downwards a little as they greet.


Gestures

Japanese  people  avoid  to  showing  their  emotion  and  expression in  public . Japanese are always use smile to conceal their real emotion. There are  accept  to  shaking  hand  and  to  built  a  best relationship  with  others , but  there  are  uncomfortable  with  touching behaviours  such  as  hugging . Hand gestures must be used in suitable times. If  use  in  misunderstanding  of  the  signal ,  it would  be  insulting  to  the  Japanese.

Silence

At  the  moment , Japanese  take  time  to  relax  and  understand what  has  been  said . This  is  because  Japanese  is  so  indirect , their  need  to  know  all  the  information  that  they were saying.

Japanese Business Etiquette and Greetings

Before Meeting

Many directors of foreign companies start a business in Japan. If you want to meet a director in Japan, the appointments are required and should be made a few weeks in advance before the meeting. When foreign director want to make an appointment, it is the best way to use telephone rather than send email, fax as well as a letter. Punctuality is indispensable and it is a sign of respect.

During a Meeting

Punctuality : For Japanese, it is very important to arrive on time, or earlier than the meeting‘s starting time. It shows respect to the others and builds trustful relationship. Doing business with Japanese is much more important to build relationship with them rather than working hard.

Seats in the Meeting : Japanese also show their respect by seating.  Seating position can determine their status of work. Usually, the highest ranking people will take the head of the table seat while others will sit on both sides of the. The higher ranking people will sit closer to the highest ranking people, as the ranking decrease, the seating positions are toward the opposite of the table.

The meetings normally proceed by long and non-business conversation in Japan. This is because it is an essential element of building relationship with each other. During the meeting, don’t point at the person that you refer to using your fingers, it shows disrespectful manners to the person you point at. The best way to refer the person you want to show is to use your hands with your fist spread out gently. When someone is talking, be patient and show your respect by listening to them, do not immediately challenge their words even though your opinions are different from them. 

Business Card

The business meeting usually end up with exchanging business cards. The card is typically offered or received with both hands.  Business card shows identity and it is important to show respect to the card just like showing respect to the owner of the card. There is a few things should be avoid when exchanging cards : do not write on the blank area of the card , do not simply put the card into the pocket , do not bend or damage the card in front of the owner and so on . It shows disrespectful manners to the owner. 

Gift

Gift giving is a part of culture meeting in Japan. The gifts should always be of good quality and should not be too generous. Gifts should be always be wrapped and when we giving the gift, we should not give in quantities of four or nine. This is because these number are unlucky numbers for japan business man. Alcohol is always the best gift and an appreciate.

Bows

Lastly, greeting is a must in Japan. A handshake is needed once meeting someone. Besides that, bow is also highly regarded greeting to show respect and it is appreciate by the Japanese.  The longer and the deeper the bow, the more respect that is. There is three ways of bowing in Japan. First, greeting bow which bow in 15 degree, it is usually use for people that you already know. Second, respect bow which is 30 degree, it is given to the people that have the higher ranking than you. Last, highest respect bow which is 45 degree, it is use to apologize to someone. 

Japanese Woman and Hostess Culture

The Japanese woman profession of being a hostess is very popular nowadays. It is to entertain men at public place where customers, men pay a quite number to flirt with the women but they are not giving any sexual services. Hostess-ing career is increasing because the Japanese economy offers few opportunities to the young ladies and this is the fastest way they can earn to satisfy their unlimited wants. Japanese young women work as hostesses all over the country; it is either in cabaret or a club. Moreover, the Japanese young women do not provide sexual service for their customers. The customers are NOT ALLOWED to touch the women’s body such as the breasts. Nowadays, a big number of the Japanese young women are looking for hostess-ing as a career because this job is available to those without education and it is a high pay job. Besides that, many college students are doing part time job as a hostess now because they want to earn some pocket money and also tuition fees to reduce their parents’ burden. The young girls have desire to get branded items so they are willing to do whatever to get the money for clothes, bags and accessories.

Hostess preparing before work.

In addition to that, being a hostess has become a night entertainment in Japan. Being a hostess is giving the young girls a rosy life and socioeconomic mobility. Most of the girls can enjoy a good life when they host because they will meet the men so called prince to provide them everything included money, houses, cars and luxury goods. Then, many of the college students are attracted by this job because it is high pay so most of the hostess clubs are offering high hourly wages. Before the women change their working attitudes, the boss is giving out a promise of high income. In Japan, during Valentines’ day, it comes with some gifts for customers to make them happy and enjoyable. To highlight, being a hostess is not just about partying and flirting around with the men. It involves groping and pinching all but they do not provide sexual services with customers, it is a big NO for the girls. Hosting is non-regular job where the young girls do not receive welfare, insurance and allowances. There are many types of hostesses such as some of the hostesses are only allowed to work in the most expensive and highest standards bars to serve the customers, they would receive high wages.

Japanese Hostess waiting for her customer

Comparing the American business culture and Japanese business culture

Among the countries in the globe, Japan has been known for its different yet special business culture. All businessmen who are going business trip to Japan for the first time must go for business lecture. This is to prepare them with basic Japanese’s business culture. Failure of understanding the culture may cause the dismissal of negotiation between the Japanese. In fact, even if you did make some mistakes, it is still permissible and the Japanese will not confront you in the face. The differences between the Japanese and the American are;-

1.      Business suits

Japanese businessmen usually wore more conservative suits and neckties. Going for work or meeting their clients, they prefer wearing dark suits of navy blue, dark grey or brown. According to Japanese business culture, it is a must for one to fasten the high button of his suits before greeting someone for the first time, meeting his superior or elderly. However they are allowed to unbutton it once they are seated. But if the elderly came to talk to him when he is sitting, he has to fasten that button first, before standing up in order to talk. For women, they should wear only long shirt and trousers suits following the color that men wear. Besides, short skirts and pants are never to be worn. High heels are also not advisable as it seems informal. According to Japanese culture, one’s attire is linked to ones corporates status. Therefore, one must pay more attention on the attire as to give a good impression. For American, business attire will be more lenient. You can wear anything you want as long as it is formal. But wearing a grey business suits may give a confident appearance.

2.      Business cards

For Japanese, in term of business cards, it has a lot more practices that one has to abide than American. In japan, a business negotiation must be started with exchanging business cards. Business cards are called “meishi” in Japanese. While exchanging business cards, one must not take much time searching for business card, thus making your counterpart wait. Having a Japanese bilingual business card is a must for those going to Japan for business trip. The 2-side business card must have Japanese and English on each side of it. When you are giving out the business card, remember using both of your hand and the Japanese language side facing forward, at the same time bowing down slightly. This indicates humility and politeness as well as courtesy. This same goes while accepting business cards. Giving or accepting business card with one hand will be considered as very rude to the Japanese. It give the impression that you are not keen in giving nor accepting business cards. After accepting the business cards, you have to keep all of it in a case or a special compartment to show a kind of respect. Never ever write notes on a Japanese business card. However, it is also consider rude if you keep the business card straight away without studying it. You should take note of the name of the businessman, title, name of company, address and telephone number. But for the American, they do exchange business cards but they do not have ritual or right way of doing it.

3.      Meeting etiquette

Having meeting with Japanese, you are supposed to be there at least 10 minutes earlier. Before starting a meeting, it is a must to bow before shaking hands. In Japanese business etiquette, sitting position is also very crucial as they reflect the status. The highest status person will be sitting furthest at the table. Never be the first to sit, always waited to be seated. Along the meeting, it is advisable to make some notes so that you will remember the discussion. You will look attentive and show the Japanese that this meeting is important to you. One of the most important thing is you have to be careful on what you had promised. This is because the Japanese will be also taking notes and they will recall it when needed. Furthermore, Japanese hate people who broke promises. Therefore, don’t promise anything to the Japanese if you are not 100% confident. Other than that, Japanese usually don’t discuss their work during the meeting, which is what American usually did. The main purpose of meeting for them was just reporting their work progress. This is why the Japanese has been known for being efficient in their work.  

4.      Introduction

When you are introducing Japanese, remember using the last name and not the first name. Using the first name will be considered as rude by the Japanese. The proper title to use in Japanese is San, which is the same as “Mr. or Mrs.” used by American. As an example, Sumisu San (Mr. Smith)