JAPAN: Land of the Rising Sun

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JAPANLand of the Rising Sun

• Presented by
• Annaliza Talatala
• MSE608A
• February 9, 2009

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(No Transcript)
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Demographics

• June 2008 estimated 127.7 million people (10th
  most populated country)
• Major problem in Japan decreasing birth rate
  (soshika society without children)
• 20 decrease in population by mid-century
• -0.139 growth rate
• Life expectancy approx. 81 yrs old
• 99 literacy, 95 with High School diploma
• Urban society with 5 labor force in agriculture
• Metropolitan Tokyo-Yokohama has 35 million people
  worlds most populous city - video

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Other facts

• Language Japanese
• 17 hour difference 7pm in LA, 12pm in Tokyo
• Holidays 2/11 (National Foundation Day), Golden
  Week (4/29,5/3,5/4,5/5), New Year (1/1-1/3)
  Obon Week (13th-15th July/Aug)
• Hofstede Analysis Japan
• Very Masculine country
• Lowest rank in individualism, collectivist
  culture
• High uncertainty avoidance

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Doing Business with the Japanese

• Currency Yen ()
• Exchange rate vs. USD 1USD 91.33JPY (as of
  2/8/09)
• International trade lifeblood of Japanese
  economy
• 2007
• exported 677billion worth of goods to Intl.
  market
• Imported 572billion 102bil trade surplus
• Key trade partners US, China, South Korea,
  Taiwan Hong Kong
• Industrial exports automotive products,
  semiconductors, electrical machinery, chemicals
• When doing business in Japan, relationships
  loyalty to the group is critical for success!

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Japanese Business Etiquette

• Meishi
• Must have!
• Distribution of Japanese business card
• Accepting a Japanese business card
• Never write notes on a Japanese business card -
  never!
• Never fidget or play with a Japanese business
  card.
• Keep your Japanese business cards in a proper
  carrying case and treat them with respect.
• Remember to deliberately and carefully pick up
  all of the Japanese business cards you receive
  and put them into your case at the end of the
  meeting.

1. You probably get the idea that Japanese business
   cards are important!

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Japanese Business Etiquette

• Formal Business Attire
• Men
• Wear dark suits (navy or black) with white shirt
  and subdued tie from October April
• Gray suit from May September
• Wear half-sleeve shirts during the summer months
• Japanese companies do not allow male employees to
  wear beards nor to shave their heads.
• Women
• Wear shorter or tied back hair
• Trouser suits or longer skirt suits with seasonal
  colors as for men
• No jewelry, No very short skirts or No
  high-heeled shoes

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Japanese Business Etiquette

• Business meetings
• Always arrive 10 minutes early for a meeting,
  more if the meeting will be with senior
  executives.
• Plan an exact agenda for the meeting
• Wait to be seated in the meeting room because
  there is a custom regarding which party sits on
  which physical side of the table (which
  supposedly dates back to the samurai era)!
• It is good Japanese business etiquette to take
  lots of notes
• If you need a non-disclosure agreement signed
  send it well in advance of the meeting.
• Don't forget your Japanese business cards!

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Japanese Business Etiquette

• Personal Habits
• Do not blow your nose in a public place
  (including meeting rooms).
• Do not grab your host's hand when first meeting
  and give it a hearty shake - many Japanese seldom
  shake hands and can be so uncomfortable doing so
  as to avoid meeting again!
• Never pat a Japanese man on the back or shoulder.
  
• Never make derogatory remarks about anyone,
  including your competitors and own employees.
• Always smile, be pleasant, be willing to learn,
  ask a lot of questions about your customer's
  company (and none about his/her private life).
• Learn some Japanese phrases.

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Japanese Business Phrases

• Talatala desu My name is Talatala.
• Ohayogozaimasu Good morning.
• Konnichiwa Good day.
• Kombanwa Good evening.
• Domo arigato gozaimashita Thank you.
• Onegaishimasu If you please
• Gomen nasai Sorry.
• Sumimasen Excuse me.

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Resources

• http//www.cyborlink.com/besite/japan.htm
• www.jnto.org
• http//www.buyusa.gov/japan/en/customs.html
• www.japan-guide.com
• http//www.venturejapan.com/japanese-business-etiq
  uette.htm
• http//import-export.suite101.com/article.cfm/top_
  japanese_imports_exports_in_2007