Japanese business etiquette course - iRIkai

© iRikai Learning Solutions

Doing Business in Japan

Training Presentation (Sample)

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About

iRikai (www.irikai.com) is a New Delhi, India based soft skills training firm which provides

niche international business etiquette courses. This is a snapshot of our content for the

Japanese business etiquette course – the course is delivered onsite (in India) and online via web conference (anywhere in the world). The course

is adapted to the audience – past audiences have ranged from sales staff to MDs and CEOs

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http://www.irikai.com/

http://www.irikai.com/international-business-etiquette/japan/

http://www.irikai.com/international-business-etiquette/japan/


Agenda

1. Introduction to Japan

2. Japanese Culture – Key Traits

3. Case Study

4. Corporate Etiquette

5. Daily Activities

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Viral email about Japan…(Accurate or Not?!)

Did you know that:

• Japanese children clean their schools every day for a quarter of an hour with teachers, which led to the emergence of a Japanese generation who is modest and keen on cleanliness.

• Any Japanese citizen who has a dog must carry bag and special bags to pick up dog droppings. Hygiene and their eagerness to address cleanliness is part of Japanese ethics.

• Japan does not have any natural resources, and they are exposed to hundreds of earthquakes a year but do not prevent her from becoming the second largest economy in the world?

• Japan prevents the use of mobile in trains, restaurants and indoor

• Japan students from the first to sixth primary year must learn ethics in dealing with people

• Japanese even though one of the richest people in the world but they do not have servants. The parents are responsible for the house and children

• There is no examination from the first to the third primary level; because the goal of education is to instill concepts and character building, not just examination and indoctrination.

• If you go to a buffet restaurant in Japan you will notice people only eat as much as they need without any waste.

• The rate of delayed trains in Japan is about 7 seconds per year!! They appreciate the value of time, very punctual to minutes and seconds

• Children in schools brush their teeth (sterile) and clean their teeth after a meal at school

• Students take half an hour to finish their meals to ensure right digestion When asked about this concern, they said: These students are the future of Japan

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Recent news from Brazil…(Accurate!)

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What are your impressions about Japan and the Japanese?

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Common image associations with Japan

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Japan – Overview

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• The name "Japan" (in Japanese: Nihon or Nippon) means

"Origin of the Sun", or "Land of the Rising Sun

• Japan consists of 4 large islands and thousands of smaller

islands, 430 of which are inhabited. The four major islands

(north to south) are: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and

Kyushu. Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, Hiroshima, Yokohama are

situated on the island of Honshu

• Japan is divided into 47 administrative units called

prefectures (Tokyo is also a prefecture, also called a

metropolis in Japanese to distinguish it from other

prefectures)

• The Japanese flag is called the "Hinomaru", meaning "the

disc which is the sun”

• The population of Japan is about 127 million (2012),

population growth is negative (-0.3%) and the median age

is 44.8 years (vs. Indian median age of about 25 years)

• Japan is approximately the size of Germany and about

1/25th the size of the US and 1/8th the size of India (area)

Hokkaido

Honshu

Shikoku

Kyushu

Sea of Japan

East China Sea Pacific Ocean

Japan

FlagJap

an Islan

ds


Climate and Geography

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• Not part of the preview


Language and Sports

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Arts and Religion

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Popular culture scenes

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First Impressions

What stands out on first visiting Japan

• Efficiency / Order

• Cleanliness

• Safety

• Language

• Helpfulness + Shyness

• Modernity + Tradition

• Conformity

• Focus on form and ritual

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Contemporary topics

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• While historic tensions have always existed, recent

events have worsened the relationship

• Both China and Japan claim East China Sea islets

that Japan calls Senkaku and China calls Diaoyu

• Tensions have risen since September 2012, when

the Japanese government purchased three islets

from a private Japanese owner, leading to

widespread anti-Japan demonstrations in China

Relations with China

• Corporate culture is a the big obstacle for Japanese

women who want to work (nominication, working

hours etc.)

• When women have their first child, 70% of them

stop working for a decade or more (30% in America)

• In April 2013 the PM announced that allowing

women to “shine” in the economy was the most

important part of his “Abenomics” growth strategy

Role of Women

• Japan's population fell by almost a quarter of a

million in 2013 – the fifth consecutive annual fall

• Japan has the world's oldest population, with a

median age of 45 years, an average life of 84, and

25% of the population over 65 years (12% above 75)

• There are fears that the declining population could

impact economic growth and the ageing population

could soon become a major financial burden

Declining and Ageing Population

• Salarymen, Herbivore men

• “Parasite singles”

• “Sense of duty”

• “Hikikomori”

Societal Trends


Agenda



3. Case Study


5. Daily Activities

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Some Japanese traits to consider

The Japanese take punctuality very seriously. To the extent that when trains get

delayed (which is in itself rare), station authorities will issue late slips for passengers to

take to their employers.

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• Punctuality



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The Japanese are considered extremely disciplined, in personal as well as professional

life. The discipline is instilled in them early in life, from the time they go to school.

• Discipline



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The Japanese believe in defining each employee’s role clearly, and attempting to do

anything not within the scope of authority is frowned upon. However, decisions

typically involve achieving consensus and cooperation (as opposed to delegation).

• Hierarchy



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From an early age, the Japanese are taught to subvert their own “small” desires in

favor of the greater good of the community to which they belong. Actions are often

guided by a strong sense of duty towards the family, community, organization and

nation.

• Community



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“Face" can be described as a combination of social standing, reputation, influence,

dignity, and honor. Causing someone to "lose face" lowers them in the eyes of their

peers, while saving or "building face" raises their self worth. An example of something

that may cause someone to lose face is disagreeing with them or contradicting them

in public.

• “Face”



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The Japanese place a great emphasis on respecting not just others, but also their

surroundings. Examples of this can be seen in words, tone, body language and

behavior.

• Respect



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In Japanese communication, it is common to pay more attention on how the point is

being made rather than what the point is. This is seen as their being more process

oriented as opposed to task oriented.

• “Wrapping” of words



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For the Japanese, harmony within oneself, as well as between people, is extremely

important. Open arguments, conflicts and sometimes even frank discussions are

avoided.

• Harmony



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Despite living in one of the most densely populated countries in the world, Japanese

value personal space and privacy and it is normal to stand 2-3 feet apart from people

while interacting with them. In crowded areas like subways, despite the physical

proximity, the concept of privacy is subtly enforced – by closing one’s eyes, or

remaining engrossed in a book or cellphone.

• Privacy and “Space”



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The Japanese often find it difficult to refuse a request outright. In such cases, they

often use phrases such as “kyo wa chotto…” which is translated as “I’m afraid…” or

“chotto muzukashii desu ne” which literally means “it’s difficult” but in fact means the

person would like to say no. This practice is related to the Japanese desire for harmony

and keeping face.

• Saying “no”


Agenda



3. Case Study


5. Daily Activities

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Case study 1 – Nomura’s acquisition of Lehman

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Key challenges for Nomura

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Case Study 2 – Negotiations with Top 3 Japanese Steel Firms

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Key takeaways from negotiation

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Critical Success Factors when negotiating with Japanese Firms

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Agenda



3. Case Study


5. Daily Activities

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Dressing in Japan

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Addressing a Japanese person

• -san is a suffix attached to a person’s first or last name (in a business context, usually, it is the last name) which corresponds to Mr. / Ms. in English

• -kun is used among close friends or by supervisors for male subordinates

• -chan is used for children or as a term of endearment

• Given the hierarchical ranking system, it is important to use the correct term to address a Japanese person

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Greetings in Japan

• Greetings in Japan are much more formal and ritualistic than in India or the US

• How a person greets another is considered not only a reflection on his personality but also on his family background and the organization to which he belongs

• A bow can create a good impression and demonstrate an understanding for the host’s values

• Bows vary by scenario and the relationship between the people involved

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Bowing techniques

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Handshake and eye contact

• The Japanese do not usually shake hands, instead, they use the bow. However, with foreign visitors, they may show sensitivity to the other’s custom and offer a handshake

• If you are bowing while they come forward for a handshake, be aware not to collide!

• Eye contact is also avoided in Japanese culture while shaking hands and the shake is not as firm as it would be in the American culture

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Useful expressionsJapanese Meaning

Konnichiwa Hello (used in the day time)

Ohayo Gozaimasu Good morning

Moshi moshi Hello (used on phone)

Kon-ban-wa Good evening

Sayoo-nara Good bye

Oyasumi nasai Good night

Sumimasen Excuse me

Arigatō gozaimasu Thank you

Hajimemashite Pleased to meet you (literal: this is the first time)

Ogen’ki desu ka? How are you?

Okagesama de I am fine (literal: I am able to live by your benevolence)

Gomen nasai Sorry

Doozo yoroshiku onegai-shimas Pleased to meet you (literal : please extend kindness to me. This can be used in conjunction with Hajimemashite)

So des ka? Is that so?

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Exchanging cards

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Participating in a meeting

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Giving and receiving gifts in Japan

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Exercise: Meeting and greeting

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Dining termsJapanese Meaning

Ippin ryoori A la carte

Maki-zushi Rolled sushi

Nigiri-zushi Rolled sushi with raw fish

Hashi Chopsticks

Ohiya Cold water

Omiotsuke, misoshiru Miso soup

Raamen Chinese style noodles

Sake Japanese rice wine

Sashimi Sliced raw fish

Soba Buckwheat flour noodles

Sushi Rice with vinegar

Tabemono Food

Ten’don Bowl of rice with fried shrimp or fish on top

Ten’pura Deep fried Japanese foods

Ton’katsu Pork cutlet

Tsukemono Pickled vegetables

Udon Thick wheat flour noodles

Yakitori Bite size pieces of meat or vegetables skewered and grilled

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Common food items

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Makisushi

Ten’pura

Sashimi

Nigirisushi

Yakitori

Ten’don


Dining etiquette

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Exercise: Using chopsticks

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Agenda



3. Case Study


5. Daily Activities

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Subway system

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Currency

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Places of interest in Tokyo

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<< Roppongi: Popular among expats and youngsters. Famous for night life.

>>Shibuya: Major shopping area and fashion centers and popular for nightlife. Also popular for the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing and Hachiko – the statue of a dog named after a faithful dog

<< Shinjuku: Large entertainment, business and shopping area, world’s busiest train station


Counting and Days

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Japanese Meaning

Rei Zero

Ichi One

Ni Two

San Three

Yon, Shi Four

Go Five

Roku Six

Nana, Shichi Seven

Hachi Eight

Ku Nine

Ju Ten

Getsuyobi Monday

Kayobi Tuesday

Suiyobi Wednesday

Mokuyobi Thursday

Kinyobi Friday

Doyobi Saturday

Nichiyobi Sunday


Drinks

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Foods

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Contact Us

iRikai Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Website: www.irikai.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +91 9873 873 006

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iRikai is a New Delhi, India based soft skills training firm. iRikai’s Courses are delivered onsite anywhere in India or online via web conference anywhere in the world. Past clients include: Private Equity Firms, Professional Services Firms (Law firms, Recruitment and Staffing Firms, Travel firms etc.) and Hospitality Firms. Levels of audiences range from front line sales staff to CXOs. The training is adapted for the audience and the purpose (e.g. focus can be increased or decreased on specific areas). Please contact us for a consultation:

http://www.irikai.com/

mailto:[email protected]