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Understanding and following Japanese business etiquette is crucial for Western businessmen visiting Japan. Personal appearance, body language, seating arrangements, drink consumption, and gift-giving are all important aspects of Japanese business etiquette. Visitors should dress professionally, pay attention to body language, wait to be seated, follow drinking customs, and handle business cards and gifts with care.
To Westerners, the rules of Japanese business etiquette might seem to contradict the customs of their own countries. The finer points of business etiquette are taken quite seriously in Japan, however, a visiting businessman should therefore understand and obey these points closely or risk jeopardizing his business. Many of the rules of Japanese business etiquette are based on personal appearance and body language. Seating habits, drink consumption, and the delivery of business cards and gifts are also important.
Japanese entrepreneurs value a professional personal appearance. Therefore, business travelers should avoid casual attire, opting instead for clean tailored suits in dark, solid colors. In general, women should opt for a dress with a skirt rather than a jumpsuit. All visitors must wear shoes that can be easily removed, as they will likely be asked to remove their shoes when entering the buildings.
The rules of Japanese business etiquette are also closely related to body language. Sustained eye contact can be considered offensive, so a visitor shouldn’t be surprised if their guest appears to avoid looking directly at them. Also, many Japanese business owners find it impolite to say no outright and may therefore agree to something they don’t really wish to agree to. Therefore, it is important to analyze your guest’s body language to understand their true intent. Additionally, visitors should follow their host’s lead in offering a greeting, allowing him to decide whether he wishes to bow or shake hands.
Seating arrangements at meetings and dinners are another important aspect of Japanese business etiquette. In general, visitors should not sit down until told where to sit. The tallest member of the host company will usually occupy a head seat at a table. Other company members and visitors are then seated according to their seniority.
Whether it’s a meeting or a business dinner, the consumption of drinks is also mandated by the rules of Japanese business etiquette. Generally, a guest should not pour their own drink, but should instead wait for someone else to pour it for them. Also, he shouldn’t drink from his glass until the tallest member of the host firm has taken a sip from his drink.
Handing out business cards and gifts is also important to Japanese business etiquette. Business cards should be passed and accepted with both hands and a visitor should take care to visibly admire each card he receives. Also, he should avoid writing on or otherwise altering someone else’s card. Corporate guests often present their visitors with gifts that may relate to the city or region they are from. It is considered good etiquette for a visitor to receive his gift with great enthusiasm and gratitude, regardless of his true feelings for the item.
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