Japanese Vs. American Business Culture

Jacques Averso

Professor Aussicker

11/29/2013

Japanese Culture, Tues, 12:30-1:45

Thesis

• The Japanese and American business cultures are very different, and so if one doesn't know about the other person's business culture, then they are likely to offend the other person.

• In my presentation, I will discuss a few differences, what will happen if you don’t recognize those differences, and what should someone do instead.

Speed (INFO)

• U.S. company’s decision making is quick.• Supervisors allow subordinates to make decisions, change rules,

and move fast if a fault occurs

• Japanese decisions are very cautious and conservative and tend to be much slower than U.S. companies.

• Lots of meetings and documentation. • Attempt to minimize error and bring consistency & understanding to

all.

Speed (Tips)

• If working with Japanese subordinates…• Do more documentation and slow-paced meetings• Use face-to-face communication to discuss gain agreement

• Allowing them too much independence will confuse & overwhelm

• If working with American subordinates…• Allow lots of freedom to make rapid decisions• Meetings are purely for short, action-oriented - not for pleasantries

• Allowing little freedom will stifle their motivation

Honesty (INFO)

• US employees will say they can do it, but about only 70% of the time is it actually possible.

• Don’t care significantly about their word and on how others perceive them

• Japanese employees will only say they can do if there’s a 100% guarantee that they will do it.

• Care heavily on how others perceive them, their honesty, and their ability to carry things out

Honesty (Tips)

• If working with Japanese subordinates…• Japanese won’t say “Yes” unless they’re 100% sure.• Can be frustrating b/c of no strong answer

• If working with American subordinates…• They’ll likely say “yes” to most things, but may flake• Can be frustrating b/c they might not do it

Comm. Style (INFO)

• US employees prefer lots of e-mail and phone call interactions.

• Feel it’s easier and simpler to do

• Japanese employees prefer to do face-to-face.• Feels it builds stronger, more personal, more trusting relationships

Comm. Style (Tips)

• If working with Japanese employees…• Face-to-Face preferred.• Want to feel connected with their clients, bosses, and co-workers

• If working with Americans employees…• E-mail & Phone is better. It’s faster and easier.• Face-to-Face only for serious matters – like business meetings or

one-on-one talks

Closeness (INFO)

• US Employees prefer to talk only to those co-workers, bosses, and clients they’re close to after work with drinks.

• Create a friend/co-worker relationship. All others are just co-workers.

• Japanese employees prefer to talk to all their co-workers and clients to build a strong relationship – especially with new workers.

Closeness (Tips)

• If working with Japanese employees…• Understand that they may want to go drinking with you after work.• Build a strong, friendly work environment• Don’t be nervous and weirded out by this very close work/personal

life connection.

• If working with American employees…• Understand that they might not want to talk to you after work.

Don’t be offended. They prefer to keep their work & personal life separate much of the time.

Videos

• Conducting Yourself in a Japanese Business Meeting…

http://youtu.be/j2nU9KoB8hM• (1:50, docstocTV)

• Japanese Business Etiquette by Chihiro Yamashita, Michelle Yap, Su Min Sei Toh, Yu Kikuchi

http://youtu.be/HTvxYtnKjl4• (7:33, Parissa Haghirian)

Sources

• Blog.Btrax.com. 10 Cultural Contrasts between US & Japanese Companies. 12 2010. http://blog.btrax.com/en/2010/12/15/10-cultural-contrasts-between-us-and-japanese-companies-a-personal-view/. 22 11 2013.

• http://www.askmen.com/money/successful_100/134_success.html• http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/japan.htm• http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_jp.htm• http://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanielparishflannery/2011/11/02/japanese-business-culture-and-why-good-governance-

matters/• https://www.openforum.com/articles/doing-business-in-japan-10-etiquette-rules-you-should-know/• Japan Today. Differences in business culture between Japan and West. 2 4 2013.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/differences-in-business-culture-between-japan-and-west. 22 11 2013.• Kendall, Phillip. 10 things Japan gets horribly wrong. 6 November 2013. http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/11/06/10-

things-japan-gets-horribly-wrong/. 26 November 2013.• Potts, Elena. It’s called an IZAKAYA. 23 September 2013. http://sites.allegheny.edu/gatorblogs/2013/09/23/its-called-an-

izakaya/. 26 November 2013.• Princeton Info. Etiquette Matters in Japanese Business. 23 3 2011. http://www.princetoninfo.com/index.php?

option=com_us1more&Itemid=6&key=3-23-2011%20japan. 22 11 2013.