Consensus and Japanese business etiquette
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2025 6:12 am
Japanese society is group-orientated, and this culture extends to business practice. Internal consensus must be achieved before decisions are made and so you should not expect or push for any on the spot decisions.
Japanese executives are unlikely to respond well to pressure. Similarly, you should not single out individuals for praise as this would cause embarrassment. Give credit to the entire group instead.
Building relationships
Trust is fundamental to success when doing business in Japan. The Japanese will only trade with you if they feel that they can trust both your company and you as an individual. For this reason, it is crucial to build relationships effectively.
Building relationships
You can do this by always attending meetings yourself rather than sending your staff or business greece mobile database partners to some of them. It is also worth going out for drinks or dinner with your proposed clients to get to know each other better.
Business dinners are an important aspect of doing business in Japan. It is worth noting that spouses do not usually attend such occasions.
You should observe Japanese etiquette when attending dinners. Use the damp towel provided to wash your hands, but never your face, prior to the meal. When serving yourself from shared dishes, use the utensils provided or the opposite end of your chopsticks.
Never pierce food with chopsticks. When you have finished eating, leave your place setting as close as possible to how you found it including placing your chopsticks in their paper envelopes.
Creativity
The Japanese are excited by new ideas and tend to be early adopters of new concepts. Given the formality of business etiquette, it can be all too easy to allow your creativity, unique ideas or special edge to become lost in your attempt to remain culturally sensitive.
Don’t forget to properly showcase your offering. It is hard balance to strike when you need to be somewhat understated while also pushing your products, services and ideas. Think carefully in advance of any meetings about exactly how you intend to present yourself and your business.
Planning your approach will enable you to both adhere to Japanese business etiquette and allow your offering to shine.
Japanese executives are unlikely to respond well to pressure. Similarly, you should not single out individuals for praise as this would cause embarrassment. Give credit to the entire group instead.
Building relationships
Trust is fundamental to success when doing business in Japan. The Japanese will only trade with you if they feel that they can trust both your company and you as an individual. For this reason, it is crucial to build relationships effectively.
Building relationships
You can do this by always attending meetings yourself rather than sending your staff or business greece mobile database partners to some of them. It is also worth going out for drinks or dinner with your proposed clients to get to know each other better.
Business dinners are an important aspect of doing business in Japan. It is worth noting that spouses do not usually attend such occasions.
You should observe Japanese etiquette when attending dinners. Use the damp towel provided to wash your hands, but never your face, prior to the meal. When serving yourself from shared dishes, use the utensils provided or the opposite end of your chopsticks.
Never pierce food with chopsticks. When you have finished eating, leave your place setting as close as possible to how you found it including placing your chopsticks in their paper envelopes.
Creativity
The Japanese are excited by new ideas and tend to be early adopters of new concepts. Given the formality of business etiquette, it can be all too easy to allow your creativity, unique ideas or special edge to become lost in your attempt to remain culturally sensitive.
Don’t forget to properly showcase your offering. It is hard balance to strike when you need to be somewhat understated while also pushing your products, services and ideas. Think carefully in advance of any meetings about exactly how you intend to present yourself and your business.
Planning your approach will enable you to both adhere to Japanese business etiquette and allow your offering to shine.