Contens
- Introducing Business Manners in Japan!
- There are rules when you sit down to talk about business matters.
- When we call each other in a company in Japan, we use our surnames.
- In Japan, grooming is an important part of business etiquette.
- Work is not just about doing what you are told.
- Communication is important in Japanese business!
- Always be on time!
- Be sure to have your business card ready.
- Let’s learn Japanese business manners well!
- Reference YouTube Videos.
1. Introducing Business Manners in Japan
There are some things that are considered important business manners in Japan that are not paid much attention to in other countries.
There are many things that you may not be used to at first, and foreigners may be surprised.
Here I will introduce what you need to remember so that you can use business manners smoothly.
It may take some getting used to, but please try to learn it little by little.
2. There are rules when you sit down to talk about business matters.
It is easy to think that it doesn’t matter where you sit, but in Japan, the position you sit in is determined by your position.
It is important to keep this in mind because if you know this position well, you will be thought of as someone who knows Japanese manners well.
It’s not like you’re having a nice dinner with your good friends, so you have to stand up for your superiors, such as those who are in higher positions than you.
Therefore, have your superiors sit at the farthest place from the entrance.
The basic business etiquette is to have the superior sit farthest away from the entrance, while you sit closer to the door.
The seat where the superior sits is called the “upper seat” and the seat near the entrance is called the “lower seat.
The reason for this consideration is that the seats near the door are often noisy and people often pass by, so we want people to feel comfortable and in a good mood, so we ask them to sit away from the entrance.
Not only at the table, but also when taking a cab, we ask the driver to sit in a safe position (right behind the driver) to ensure safety and comfort.
If you are taking a cab to the next venue of a dinner party, you should ask your superiors to sit directly behind the driver instead of in the passenger seat, so that they will think you are a good person.
3. When we call each other in a company in Japan, we use our surnames.
If there are several people with the same surname, they may call each other by their first names to avoid confusion.
For example, if your name is Taro Sato, there are many people with the surname “Sato” in Japan, so it is not uncommon for people to call you Taro-san.
However, unless you are meeting someone for the first time or there is a way to call someone within the company, you should call them by their last name.
In foreign countries, it is tempting to call someone by their first name, Taro-san, but the correct way is to call them Sato-san.
In addition, if you are a customer or business partner, you should add “sama” to your name.
4. In Japan, grooming is an important part of business etiquette.
No matter how wonderful a story you bring to me, I will feel uncomfortable if I hear it from someone who is not well groomed.
One thing to watch out for, especially in foreign countries, is the smell of perfume.
It is acceptable if it smells good, but not if you can smell it when you get close.
Some people don’t like the smell of such perfumes, so try to avoid using them as much as possible.
In addition, a crumpled suit, shoes that are stained with mud, or bangs that are so far over your eyes that you can’t see where your eyes are …… will also make others feel uncomfortable.
It is desirable to be fashionable, but if you go overboard and come off as gaudy or eccentric, people will think you don’t know business etiquette.
It is important to do basic things such as ironing out wrinkles and polishing your shoes every morning.
5. Work is not just about doing what you are told.
Unlike in your own country, there are many things you don’t understand about Japanese rules and regulations, so you may find yourself waiting for instructions from others.
However, if you only wait for instructions, you will be perceived as a useless person in Japan.
You may feel that you may be annoying the other person, but try to actively ask if there is anything you can do.
It is also important to be aware that you will be the first to do any chores that can be done easily, and to think about what you should be doing while observing the atmosphere around you.
Each company has its own rules and regulations, so the best way to learn is to refer to the activities of your current seniors.
The best way to learn is to refer to the activities of your current seniors. By watching them, you will naturally learn what kind of behavior is expected in this company.
6. Communication is important in Japanese business!
If you make a mistake or do something that could cause trouble for the company, report it to your boss as soon as possible.
If you make a mistake or cause trouble for the company, report it to your boss as soon as possible.
If you inform your boss too late, you may end up in more trouble and may not be able to stay in the company.
In addition, there is a Japanese business etiquette called hōrensō.
This is an abbreviation of the words “report,” “contact,” and “consultation,” and is the most basic of business manners.
We should report what has happened and contact each other so that we can all know the information.
Even if it’s a trivial matter, you can talk to your supervisor about it, and he or she will work with you to solve the problem.
Don’t just solve problems on your own, but make sure you are aware of the importance of “hōrensō”.
7. Always be on time!
In some countries, people don’t care that much about time at work, but in Japan, people are very strict about time.
In some countries, people don’t care that much about time at work, but in Japan, people are very strict about time. If you have a deadline and you don’t think you will be able to finish, they will make sure you finish on time even if you have to stay up all night without sleeping.
Therefore, it is important to be aware of the time.
For example, if you have a meeting at 3:00 in the afternoon, arriving at exactly 3:00 will be seen as bad manners.
Ideally, you should arrive 5 to 10 minutes early, especially if you are inviting someone to meet you at a specific time, or if you are meeting a superior or customer.
If you are meeting someone at 3:00, but you arrive at 3:01, it will make them feel uncomfortable.
If you are going to be late due to circumstances beyond your control, be sure to let the other person know.
If you are not sure if you will be able to make it, or if you think you might arrive at 2:58 but not exactly at 3:00, let the person know.
8. Be sure to have your business card ready.
In Japan, business cards are always exchanged when greeting people for the first time.
In some countries, business cards are not so important, but in Japan, it is business etiquette to exchange business cards.
Once you become a member of society, you should have your own business card ready to give out at any time.
When exchanging business cards, prepare enough cards for each person you are going to give them to, and hold them close to your chest.
Then, hand your business card to the person below you and say the name of the company and your name.
As the other person gives you his or her business card, hold the end of the card with both hands instead of one.
When you go out to do business and get a job, you will always be in a subordinate position, so hand your business card over immediately.
9. Let’s learn Japanese business manners well!
Japanese business manners are different from those in your own country, and there are some details that may be difficult to learn.
However, if you can learn business manners, it will be easier to gain the trust of others and receive a high evaluation as a foreigner who is well-behaved.
If you have a good image, even difficult business discussions will often go smoothly.
Just by being respectful to your superiors, being clean, and being punctual, you can make a good impression on others.
10. Reference Video
