Business etiquette in Japan

Correct pronunciation is important. If the name is written in Japanese, the surname comes first, followed by the first name.

Unless you know someone very well, you should just use their surname followed by the suffix -san.

You greet the highest-ranking person in the room first, then move on to the next-highest-ranking person, and so on.

Don't be late to meetings.

Make sure you are well prepared.

Remember to bring enough business cards! Use a business card holder. Hold the business card with both hands.

Make sure your name is facing the recipient and bow politely. You will then receive a business card in return in the same manner.

Treat the business card with respect. Look at it and feel free to place it in front of you on the table if you receive the business card during a meeting.

Do not write anything on the other person's business card. The business card is considered to be the equivalent of the person's face, so it would be the same as drawing them on the face.

First, be aware that you will be forgiven a lot simply because you are a gaijin, a foreigner, who doesn't know any better. And you will be forgiven even more if you show genuine interest in the country.

Learn a few Japanese phrases before you arrive, such as "thank you", "good day" and "I don't understand".

A very useful word is sumimasen, which means "excuse me" and can be used both to apologize on the street and to get the waiter's attention.

When you talk to a Japanese person, they may say "hai, hai" or "ah so desu ka?". This does not mean that they agree, just that they heard what you said.

Be aware that Japanese people do not like to answer no. Instead, they will often turn their heads to the side and say "maybe, I don't know". This does not mean maybe!

In Japan, business attire is considered formal, and should be dark blue, gray, or black.

Women wear pantsuits or dresses.

In Japan, you don't shake hands, you bow.

The deeper you bow, the more respect you show towards the person

Think carefully about how you sit in meetings:

Never cross your legs, never show the soles of your feet, don't cross your arms, and don't lean back and stretch your legs.

Giving and receiving gifts is an important ritual in Japan. No matter how expensive or exclusive a gift is, it is often presented with the expression that it is not much to brag about. In that case, one should accept the gift and humbly reject that claim. Such gifts are often neatly wrapped, and it is considered rude to simply tear open the paper.

Japanese people do not like to open gifts right away, but first admire the wrapping a little. Then, after a while, they ask if they can open the package. To which they should then humbly answer in the affirmative.

Gifts given in connection with meetings and company visits are often gifts that can be shared and consumed at the workplace. Twists and milk chocolate hearts have proven popular.

Flowers are a nice host gift, but do not give a large bouquet. It is seen as unaesthetic, inappropriate and wasteful. Give three or a maximum of seven flowers, perhaps with one or two that have not yet bloomed, and preferably one or two with a green stem.