Japanese business etiquette course - iRIkai

© iRikai Learning Solutions
Doing Business in Japan
Training Presentation (Sample)
1

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
2

Agenda
1. Introduction to Japan
2. Japanese Culture – Key Traits
3. Case Study
4. Corporate Etiquette
5. Daily Activities
3

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
4

Recent news from Brazil…(Accurate!)
5

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
JapanFlagJapanIslands

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
15

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

17
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

18
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

19
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

22
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

23
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

24
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”

25
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
26

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
29

Key takeaways from negotiation
30

Critical Success Factors when negotiating
with Japanese Firms
31

Agenda
3. Case Study
5. Daily Activities
32

Dressing in Japan
33

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
34

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
35

Bowing techniques
36

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
37

Useful expressions
Japanese 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 terms
Japanese 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
43

Common food items
44
Makisushi
Ten’pura
Sashimi
Nigirisushi
Yakitori
Ten’don

Dining etiquette
45

Exercise: Using chopsticks
46

Agenda
3. Case Study
5. Daily Activities
47

Subway system
48

Currency
49

Places of interest in Tokyo
50
<< 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
51
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: learning@irikai.com
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:

Japanese business etiquette course - iRIkai

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Japanese business etiquette course - iRIkai