Japanese Business Meeting Etiquette
Even though japanese culture is changing and humor is quite common in japan it is still best to avoid humor in business meetings.
Japanese business meeting etiquette. Bows are often repeated over and over getting slightly less formal with each iteration. Most japanese people are familiar with the western custom of calling each other by the first name. Humor may be a sign of friendship for americans but for japanese business people it can be a sign of immaturity and also runs the risk of not breaking through the language or culture barrier.
While still standing you should politely hand a business card over with two hands and receive one in return. Punctuality is important it shows respect for the attendees. Women often hold their hands clasped in the front.
The longer and deeper the bow the more respect that is shown. It allows the japanese to quickly determine their counterpart s all important position title and rank. In japan business communication norms dictate to match the family name with appropriate honorific suffixes.
For personal letters in japan you can start with e to and finish just as simply with yori from for business though old school logic says you ll need to bust out the decidedly musty haike dear sir or madam and keigu with humble regards as well as a handful of other traditional phrases. Men keep hands to the sides. The exchange of business cards meishi is an essential part of initial meetings in japan and follows a strict protocol.
Seating in a japanese meeting in the west we typically place an importance on the person sitting at the head of a table. So keep your distance physically and don t touch your business partner either. However in japan they go a step further.
Keep in mind that the first meeting with japanese might feel a little bit stiff because they need to get to know you first. Japanese business etiquette exchange of business cards in japan business cards called meishi in japanese are the primary means of identification used when doing business.