Green Office Systems

Are you worried about being in a meeting with Japanese businessmen? There is a certain etiquette that will be expected of you and if not followed, it could ruin your chances of bagging a contract, job, or investment. Here are a few of the important details you should know before meeting Japanese businessmen.

1. The Japanese believe in proper decorum and they are a stickler for dressing appropriately. If it is a business meeting, then jeans and a short-sleeved polo will not do. You must wear proper business attire as a sign of respect.
2. If you are not the host, then before sitting down, wait to be directed to the proper seat. If you are the host of the meeting, the Japanese will wait for direction from you on where they should sit. Again, they will not just take any seat as a sign of respect for you and your office, and they expect the same from you.
3. Japanese are Asians and they appreciate a welcoming gift. They do not consider this a bribe and chances are they will reciprocate. If they don’t do it in the first meeting, they will remember on the next meeting. Small details like this are appreciated but will never be considered if accompanied by any tinge of coercion or bribe.
4. Japanese do not appreciate liquor being served during a meeting but they will gladly celebrate with you after.
5. The Japanese have a gracious way of saying “No.” You will need to be attentive and look at their body language to help you determine their feeling.
6. It is important to know that the Japanese generally do not practice “Dutch Treat.” Whoever invites is the person who pays for the meal. Sometimes, even if you are the one who has issued the invitation but you are in Japan, they might foot the bill because they consider you a guest in their country. At any rate, make the offer to pay for the meal to be on the safe side, and they will give you hints on what is acceptable.

Japanese businessmen are strict and do not like playing mind games especially if they are will “lose face.”  They will be very polite in an Asian way so don’t take anything too personally right away. Find out if it is the “Asian way” before complaining.