Doing Business with the Japanese

Answers:

1. Offer and especially receive business cards with both hands, pinching the corners.  Bow only if you feel comfortable in doing so.  Take a few seconds to look at the business card.  Do not put it away until the end of the meeting.  During Kagawa International’s consulting period, we will review and practice this extremely important procedure. 
   
   
2. Japanese president should sit in seat 3. The Japanese purchasing manager in 2. US VP of sales in 7. US Japan Sales Rep in 8. Guests always face the entrance with the higher ranking person furthest away from the entry.  This tradition dates back hundreds of years.  Imagine if the room were under attack.  The person closest to the door with his back towards the entry would likely be the first target for the intruders, but also the first line of defense.  The highest ranking person is in the safest spot.  Do you know the proper seating arrangement in a taxi?
   
    
   
   
3. Since this is your best customer, taking them to dinner would be a nice gesture.  A late meeting around 6:00pm followed by dinner would be ideal.  Japanese work late so a meeting in the early evening is not considered rude.  However, early morning meeting such as 9:00 are not recommended.  Most Japanese companies begin work around 9:00am so they should be given ample time to get settled in for the workday.  
   
   
4. Hello – Konnichiwa.  Goodbye – Sayonara.  Thank you – Arigato.  These three words should be the minimum you should know prior to your first meeting.  Even if you have to make a cheat sheet, the Japanese will appreciate your efforts in trying to learn their language.
   
   
5. Masahiro Tanaka – Famous Japanese baseball player currently playing for the New York Yankees this season.  Abe – Current Prime Minister.  Noda – Former Prime Minister.  Almost all international business people working with the US know who Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Kobe Bryant are.  The more interest and knowledge of the Japanese society you can portray, the more impressed they will be with you.

Summary:

The Japanese and American business cultures are vastly different but as an American, you are never expected to fully understand the ways of Japan.  However, simply by showing some effort, you can gain a great deal of respect which will be extremely beneficial to you down the road.  Most Americans try to do business in Japan just as they would in the US and this frustrates the Japanese.  Be better than your competition.  Learn to do business in Japan the right way!  Contact Kagawa International today!