Japan: Customs and Etiquette Japan Research Paper

WorldBusinessCulture.com (2009) notes, "Meetings are often preceded by long, non-business polite conversation . . . Do not become exasperated by this use of your time, as it is an essential element of the relationship-building process" (p. 1).

Though Japanese business etiquette demands respect for those involved in business ventures, one area that is still dated is the treatment of women in business. In Japan, women are often discriminated against in the workplace. Author Charles Darwent (2008) notes, "If you - or any of your vital staff are female, then Japan is very probably not a place in which you will necessarily want to do business" (p. 126). It is noted that "the average annual income for women in Japan stands at around 50% of the male level -- which is a powerful statistic" (WorldBusinessCulture, p.5). This is one custom that may be difficult for many traveling into Japan to handle.

Time Orientation

Time orientation refers to a culture's preference toward past, present or future thinking, essentially assessing "how a culture values time and believes they can control it" (Moore, 2006, p.95). Japanese culture focuses highly on a respect for history and the arts, but its time orientation tends to shift more toward the future.Author P. Herbig (1998) notes that in viewing the short-term future, Japanese are focused on "respect for tradition, fulfilling social obligations and protecting one's face," while long-term orientation is more focused on "thrift, perseverance with a future orientation attributed to lengthy business and relationship goals and time frames" (p. 187).

Conclusion

As seen, Japan is a country rich in both history and tradition, and in order to assimilate into this culture, one must adapt in terms of customs and etiquette. Clearly the aforementioned are only several customs that can be attributed to Japanese society and only begin to scratch the surface. However, in assessing these customs, one can have a greater understanding and appreciation for the country and its people.

References

Darwent, C. (2008). Japan. Corporate Location. Sept/Oct. 98. pp. 126. Retrieved from:

ProQuest database.

Herbig, P. (1998). Culture as an explanatory variable for the Japanese innovative process.

Cross Cultural Management. 5, 187-210. Retrieved from: ProQuest database.

Moore, B. (2006). What is time orientation? Culture Definitions, 1:13, 95-101. Retrieved

World Business Culture. (2009). Background to business in Japan. Retrieved from:

http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Japanese-Business-Style.html.

Wright, T. (2008). Ten customs you must know….....