Japanese Business Etiquette

Basic Japanese Business Etiquette
Like other areas of Japanese culture, Japan has its own distinct way of doing business, which is governed by strict rules of etiquette. While as a foreigner doing business in Japan you will not necessarily be expected to know or conform to these rules, a basic grasp of the essentials of Japanese business etiquette will go along way toward making the right impression on your Japanese business partners or clients and in turn, increasing your prospects for a successful venture.

Introductions and Business Cards
In Japan, business cards, called "meishi" (名刺) in Japanese, are the primary means of identification used when doing business. Meishi let the other party know not only what company you come from, but what your position is within that company, all of which is essential information for knowing how they should interact with you and you them.

When presenting your meishi, offer it in a formal fashion by holding it out in front of you face up with both hands. A little bow while doing this completes the process. Likewise, when receiving a meishi, do so with both hands and give a little bow in thanks, and then spend a moment or two studying the card.

Definitely do NOT stuff meishi you have just received into your pocket, as this is very bad Japanese business etiquette. If you are at a business meeting, keep the meishi out on the table in front of you, and then carefully put them away at the end of the meeting.

You will not be taken seriously as a businessperson without your meishi, so make sure to have some on hand at all times when doing business in Japan or with Japanese.

Forms of Japanese Business Address
Another aspect of Japanese business etiquette is the complex system of honorifics built into the language and culture that governs how persons engaged in business address one another.

Within a company, depending upon your relationship to your colleagues you may address others (or be addressed as) "XX-san" (formal), "XX-sama" (honorific), "XX-kun" (subordinate), "shacho" (president), "bucho" (manager), or in some cases with no title at all.

The same titles are used when communicating outside the company with another company, although it must be emphasized that how they are used is entirely dependent upon the situation, so that a person addressed within the company by his superior as "Saito-kun" might easily receive a call five minutes later from a client who addresses him as "Saito-sama", and then be addressed by a same-level colleague as a moment later as "Saito-san"! Is your head spinning yet?

If you are working in a Japanese company, you should be familiar with the basic use of these titles. Likewise, if your Japanese language skills are sufficient to attempt communicating in Japanese, a working knowledge of the way in which these titles are used is essential.

If you are only using the English language when doing business in Japan or with Japanese, you can address your counterparts as "Mr." or "Ms.", or as "XX-san".

When addressing your counterpart as "-san", be sure to use the last name of the person. Avoid addressing the person by his or her first name unless you are on very familiar terms and have been invited to do so by that person.

There is one other very important rule about use of titles that you need to know and abide by when doing business in Japan or with Japanese:

Whether you are speaking English or Japanese, when interacting with a business client or counterpart using the "-san" title, never address yourself or someone from your own company as "-san"!

Therefore, when introducing or referring to yourself, never call yourself "XX-san". Likewise, when introducing or referring to a colleague from your company (even the company president!), never call that person "-san" when to a Japanese business counterpart.

Business Attire
Business suits are another business essential in Japan. While Japan has relaxed its dress code somewhat in recent years, when visiting with a client or a prospective employer, a suit and tie is still pretty much mandatory. The ideal business suit is one that is black, dark gray, or perhaps navy blue. A white or lightly colored shirt and subdued tie completes the wardrobe. Business fashion in Japan tends to be conservative, so avoid too much flash in your business dress. Women should likewise dress conservatively in a blouse and skirt or a dark pants suit.

Gift Giving
When traveling to Japan to meet with a prospective or established client, it is customary to bring a gift from your country. See our Japanese Gift Giving Section for more information.