Japanese Business Etiquette – 3 Important business Rules

When doing business in Japan or with Japanese, there are few rules that must be followed. Japanese Business Etiquette are often compared with an Iceberg.  Following are the three essential rules that you must follow before you have your first Business Encounter. Get your business relationship off the right foot.

Japanese Business Etiquette 

1. The Importance of Business Cards (Meishi)

Japanese place a great importance on the presentation and exchange of meishi. Here's what you need to know. At your first business counter, stand and introduce yourself while presenting your business card with both hands outstretched. Likewise, when receiving a meishi, do so with both hands, and handle carefully. 

After receiving the meishi, spend a few moments studying the info on it, and then, and this is important, DO NOT stuff it in your pocket or even put it away. Keep it out on the table in front of you during your meeting, and then carefully put it away at the conclusion of the meeting. You must have a meishi when doing business in Japan!

2. Proper Use of "-san"

Japan has a very complicated system of honorifics built into their language and culture that dictates how people address one another. Here's what you need to know. It's perfectly acceptable to address your Japanese counterpart(s) as "XX-san," but, and this too is very important, NEVER address yourself and anyone on your own party's sign as "-san." 

The use of "-san" is reserved for people outside of your own group or people above you or at least equal to you. In a Japanese business meeting, using "-san" to address yourself or members of your own group amounts to a cultural faux pas that even the most tolerant Japanese will have a hard time overlooking. 

3. Gift Giving (Omiyage)

When traveling to Japan for business, it is customary to bring a gift from your country (om-mi-ya-ge). Consumable goods like chocolate, cookies, and so forth, make nice gifts. Alcoholic beverages are also a good choice if your Japanese counterpart enjoys them (most do!). The best omiyage are those that come from and represent your own place of origin. The main thing is to make sure that the gift is of sufficiently high-quality while not being so elaborate as to cause discomfort to your hosts. 

If you are thinking of doing business with the Japanese, contact us for a custom designed course that can help you learn the nuances of Japanese business etiquette and maximize your chances of success in dealing with Japanese firms!

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