New ReviewOne major difference between Japanese and Western companies is that in Japan, no one person is usually identified as the personality or power behind a company’s policy or business strategy. Instead, ideas and strategies usually are...

New ReviewWhile Japan has long been considered extremely safe, no country, of course, is 100 percent safe. Economic problems have led to greater unemployment, and, according to the Japanese, relatively lower moral standards. A few years ago, any...

New ReviewIn Japan, there are two emergency numbers everyone should know: 110, to contact the police, and 119, to report a fire or request an ambulance. But be mindful that you’ll have to talk in Japanese, which is especially difficult when you’re...

New ReviewThe Japanese see themselves as unique in the world and love to talk about what makes them so. From their perspective, Western culture is taking over, so showing an interest in their customs and traditions is sure to make a good...

New ReviewThe Japanese currency is the yen. Coins are available in 1, 5, 10, and 100 yen, whereas notes are valued at 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 yen. Japan is still mainly a cash society, and many small businesses even pay salaries in cash. Unless...

New ReviewThroughout Japanese history, the Japanese have believed in the divine ancestry of the imperial family as one of Japan’s unique virtues. Explore the ancient legend about the divinity of the imperial family beginning with the sun goddess...

New ReviewFor all the attention Japan gets as a world leader in business and technology, it’s easy to forget how physically isolated and small the country is. This feature has impacted the Japanese perception of foreigners throughout history into...

New ReviewJapan’s legal system is based mainly on the model of prewar German and Soviet legal theory. Thus, the system is grounded not in judicial precedent but in the laws of the constitution. Culturally, the Japanese aren’t very litigious; they...

New ReviewJapan consists of eight regions and 47 prefectures or provinces. Each region has its own character, making Japan a country of contrasts. Starting from the northernmost end of the Japanese archipelago, the country’s eight regions are...

New ReviewLocated off the east coast of Asia, Japan consists of four main islands and a chain of several thousand islands that goes from north to south. A little larger than Italy and a little smaller than the state of California, the country is...

New ReviewThe Japanese love to give gifts. The two main gift-giving seasons in Japan are July (Ochugen), when people wish each other summer greetings and good health, and December (Oseibo), when people show appreciation for assistance offered...

New ReviewThe Japanese often refer to themselves as workaholics, but to foreigners, much of the work may seem unnecessary. Compared with companies in the West, offices may even seem overstaffed. But question a job function, and you’re likely to be...

New ReviewThe Japanese tend to be very cautious and thorough in their decision-making and have a relatively low willingness and ability to tolerate risk. Kiken kaihi, or risk avoidance, is a key principle in Japanese diplomacy and bargaining....

New ReviewSome management practices in Japan are distinctly Japanese, such as the formal rotation system in which personnel get relocated every two to three years—sometimes overseas. Many salarymen end up living apart from their families, often in...

New ReviewAs in many countries, gift-giving is an extremely important aspect of Japanese business culture. Gifts are exchanged on occasion at a first meeting and are more common for subsequent meetings. While gifts are not expected, they are...

New ReviewBusiness cards, called meishi, are very important in Japan, and the presentation is traditionally very ceremonial. At one time, people used both hands to give and receive cards. Nowadays, it’s more common to use one hand only. When...

New ReviewWhen interacting, the Japanese value formal, nonverbal presentation, such as good posture. Learn how to maintain a straight posture, sit, and stand in the Japanese context. In Japan, as in other high-context cultures, body language is...

New ReviewMaintaining harmony is an essential aspect of Japanese business culture, including negotiations. To the Japanese, negotiations are a fluid process based on diligent preparation and mutual respect. Learn more about how indirect...

New ReviewIn Japan, business practices are distinctly Japanese and have their roots in the local cultural values of tradition, patriarchy, respect for age, formality, cooperation, loyalty, and consensus-building. Corporate culture in Japan is...

New ReviewJapanese firms typically follow a clearly defined structure and hierarchy. Roles and responsibilities are assigned based on rank. The most senior executive is the chairman, called a kaichoo, followed by the president, or shachoo. Learn...

New ReviewGift-giving is a key cultural tradition in all aspects of Japanese life. Accordingly, it is taken very seriously in Japan, and much care goes into choosing an appropriate gift—whether it’s for a first meeting, the close of a business...

New ReviewIn addition to bowing, the Japanese express respect by adding the suffix san to the end of another person's family name. This is similar to the English use of the titles Mr. and Mrs. Take care never to use san with your own name! The use...

New ReviewFine-tune management practices and learn practical tips for managing employees in Japan. Topics include making an effort to meet everyone in the office, bringing office gifts, and managing communications with employees and colleagues.

New ReviewMost foreign companies operating in Japan are subsidiaries of overseas multinationals. Some firms began as Japanese firms and eventually became affiliates of global firms through mergers and acquisitions. Learn how business reforms in...