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.