JAPAN PROFILE

Y Ê
  Eastern Asia, island chain between

the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of
Japan/East Sea, east of the Korean Peninsula.
Y  ]okyo

Y ë    î
,333,00 (July 004 est.)

Y 

   Japanese 99%, others î%
(Korean 5îî,  , Chinese 44, 4î, Brazilian
î , 3 , Filipino 9,5î, other 3
,9î4)
Y §  observe
both Shinto and Buddhist 4%, other î%
(including Christian 0.
%)
6 ë


§ Ê 
 

Y . Since the Japanese

strive for harmony and
are group dependent,
they rely on facial
expression, tone of voice
and posture to tell them
what someone feels.
. ]hey often trust non-
verbal messages more
than the spoken word as
words can have several
meanings.
- §
 
6 ë
 

[ -armony is the key value in Japanese society.

[ -armony is the guiding philosophy for the
Japanese
[ Japanese children are taught to act harmoniously
and cooperatively with others from the time they
go to pre-school
[]hey place great emphasis on
- politeness,
- personal responsibility and
- working together for the
universal, rather than individual
Cultural Values Expressed The Japanese culture

Thinking Orientation Tends to take context and the specific situation into account in rule
interpretation

The Individual COLLECTIVISTIC - Group duty preservation of harmony

Nature of the Business Most important business cannot occur until relationship if sound, written
Relationship agreement secondary to it, hard to form, long lasting.

Conflict Resolution More mediation though trusted third parties

Time Sense During Appointments less driven by exact start and end times
Meetings

Conflict results Win-Win / To lose is to win / Lose in order to win

¦EE]INGS AND NEGO]IA]IONS

Y ]eam as opposed to an
individual.
Y ¦eetings usually take place
for only one of three reasons-
× ]o build rapport
× ]o exchange information
× ]o confirm previously made
decisions. Decisions are rarely
made in a meeting.
Y Group consensus is important.
 0

Y Ñery detail orientated.
Y Like dealing with quiet, sincere and
compromising individuals.
Y Extroverts ² seen as brash and arrogant.

Y Silence is considered a virtue.

Y Every meeting ends with food

Y  

Y 


Y 
  

Y   

Y
 

 

E]IQUE]]E & CUS]O¦S IN JAPAN
Y   
. Japanese understand that it is very difficult for
foreigners to work in Japan.
. ]hey will not expect you to speak or read
Japanese, or be conversant with their strict
cultural nuances and protocol.
. ¦istakes are allowed as long as genuine respect
is shown at all times.
. ]hey will usually try to help you but often feel
embarrassment at their own lack of
understanding or English language ability


 

Y . ]he Japanese are non-confrontational.

. ]hey have a difficult time saying 'no', so you
must be vigilant at observing their non-verbal
communication.
. It is best to phrase questions so that they can
answer yes. For example, do you disagree with
this? Group decision-making and consensus are
important.
. Written contracts are required.
. ]he Japanese often remain silent for long
periods of time. Be patient and try to work out if
your Japanese colleagues have understood what
was said.
§Ê 
-ë 
 

Y . ]he Japanese prefer to do business on the basis

of personal relationships.

. One way to build and maintain relationships is

with greetings / seasonal cards.
. ]he Japanese seldom grant
concession. ]hey expect both
parties to come to the table with
their best offer.

. ]he Japanese do not see

contracts as final agreements so
they can be renegotiated

. Japanese prefer broad

agreements and mutual
understanding so that when
problems arise they can be
handled flexibly.
..