Business Culture of Japan - Armani

8/8/2019 Business Culture of Japan - Armani

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BUSINESS CULTURE OF JAPAN


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Flow of the presentation

Background To Business in Japan

Japanese Business Structures

Japanese Management Style

Japanese Meetings

Concept of Wa Business Cards

Gift Giving

Japanese Teams

Japanese Communication Styles

Women in Business in Japan Japanese dress code

Tips on Japanese dress culture

Successful entertaining in Japan


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Background To Business in Japan

Fundamental concepts of business very

different from the west.

In the Japanese culture relationships comebefore business.

Early stages of relationship building are most

important


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Japanese Business Structures

Up until World War Two, Japan was

dominated by a small number of very large

companies, the zaibatsu.

Japanese companies are hierarchically

organised.

individuals know their position within a group

and with regard to each other.


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The sense of belonging to the group gives

Japanese companies their strength and

purpose.

Group orientation and team work are a way of

life in all aspects of corporate life at all levels.

Japanese hierarchy is based on consensus and

co-operation


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Japanese Management Style

information flows from the bottom of thecompany to the top.

Senior management has a largely supervisoryrole.

policy often originates at the middle-levels ofa company.

Higher a Japanese manager rises within anorganisation, the more important it is that heappears unassuming and unambitious.


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Individual personality and forcefulness are not

seen as the prerequisites for effective leadership.

Japanese managers must be accessible at all

times and willing to share knowledge within the

group.

Instructions from managers is common in

Japanese culture but a vague concept in the westdue to communication misunderstanding.


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Japanese Meetings

Punctuality is important it shows respect

for the attendees.

Due to the consensus nature of decisionmaking in Japan, it can very often be difficult

to determine a finish time.

Meetings are often preceded by long, non-

business polite conversation.


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Concept of Wa

Concept of Wa (Harmony) lies at the heart of

Japanese meeting. Solution to the meeting must not be achieved

at the expense of disturbing the peace.

Confrontations are avoided so as not to affectWa.


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Business Cards

It is important to have a plentiful supply of

business cards with information printed onthe back in Japanese.

Cards are presented at an early stage in a

formal manner.

Present and receive the card with two hands.

(Present your card Japanese side up.)


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Treat your Japanese contacts card with

respect the card is the man.

Writing on it or leaving it behind showsdisrespect.

During the meeting, place the cards carefully

on the table in front of you with the senior

persons card on the top.


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Gift Giving

Gift giving is an endemic part of Japanesebusiness life.

Gifts should always be wrapped.

Avoid giving gifts in quantities of four or nineas these are unlucky numbers.

Anything sharp could signify the desire to end

a relationship. Alcohol, especially good single malt whiskey, is

always an appreciated gift.


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Japanese Teams

Japanese are naturally group-oriented.

The consensus-building process or Nemawashi(literally - root binding) determines that

agreement is sought before a formal meetingin order to avoid any direct confrontation.

People must be seen to be modest and

humble. Self-promotion in the western sense is seen as

childish and embarrassing behaviour.


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Japanese Communication Styles

In japan what a person states may be verydifferent from what he is thinking.

It is best to check back several times for

clarification of anything that remains unclear. Major communication gap among English

speaking Businessmen and their Japanesecounterparts.

The Japanese seem to be very still in meetings,sitting in a formal upright posture.

It is rare for any reaction or emotion to be visible.


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Women in Business in Japan

Annual income for women in Japan stands ataround 50% of the male level.

Strong unspoken discrimination towards women

in the workplace. Women are largely expected to perform lower

grade tasks and to leave employment uponmarriage or the birth of children.

Western women working in Japan will probablyonly encounter difficulties when trying to manageJapanese male colleagues.


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Japanese Dress Code

Dark suit, shirt and tie is very much the norm

in Japanese mainstream business.

For women, business dress should berestrained and formal women do not

commonly wear trousers in business in Japan.


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Tips on Japanese business culture

Relationships drive business in Japan.

In Japan, age brings its own dignity and should

be respected. Try to be polite and diplomatic at all times

Avoid showing irritation, annoyance or

impatience Do not try to push the Japanese for decisions

or deadlines.


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Decisions are arrived at through a lengthy

consensus-building process. As it is almost

impossible to speed up this process, patience

is needed.

Perform as many favours for people as

possible. Favours must always be repaid.

Be humble and apologetic. Modesty is a

characteristic much admired.


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Oral agreements carry as much weight aswritten contracts.

Do not speak well of yourself but be very

positive about your organisation and thedepartment or team to which you belong.

Never make disparaging comments about your

own company - even in jest. Humour should be avoided during serious

business meetings.


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Avoid strong eye contact which can be seen as

threatening or hostile behaviour.

Always take gifts to give to key contacts Dress well, but conservatively.

Beware; Japanese loath saying no or to

disagree.


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Successful Entertaining in Japan

Business meals form an integral part of

commercial life in Japan

Never reject an invitation to lunch or dinner. Do not offend by offering to pay if you have

been invited.

When using chop-sticks, never point them at anybody

do not leave them sticking into your rice.


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It is considered polite to leave some food on

your plate (or in the bowl) at the end of the

meal to show that you have eaten a

sufficiency.

Japan has a rich and varied cuisine it is not

all raw fish and pickles.

Tipping is not customary in Japan, as this cost

is usually included in the bill.

Business Culture of Japan - Armani

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