Business Tips for Japan
Tips for Successfully Conducting Business in Japan
As a business traveler to Japan, it is essential that you take a bit of
time to learn about the local customs and how to assimilate them into your
daily behavior before leaving on your business trip. As with traveling to
any country, understanding and following local customs helps you to meet
with more respect from those you are doing business with, allowing you to
be more successful in your business dealings. The last thing you want to
do, when conducting business in a foreign land, is to unknowingly insult
your hosts or make a major social blunder.
Japan is a country very rich in tradition and culture. While tradition and
culture are what make the Japanese people unique, this same tradition and
culture are also the biggest pitfalls you can become an unknowing victim
of. Understanding even some of the most basic things can help to insure your
business success.
Building Business Relationships
Building a relationship with other people is the cornerstone of any business
deal. To this end you will want to manage your relationships with the Japanese
people you come in contact with from your very first meeting. Your first
meeting can easily make or break your business deal based on how it is handled.
Business Introductions in Japan
Upon your first meeting you will want to introduce yourself using your full
name, company name, and the title you hold in your company if appropriate.
In turn, you will be introduced to your Japanese business counterparts in
descending hierarchical order. Introductions will start at the “top” of
the company and move down the chain of command showing you who holds the
most status and who holds the least. Make mental note of this and act accordingly.
The Japanese people bow when they are introduced to show mutual respect.
As a foreign traveler you will not be expected to bow, but may notice that
Japanese business people will nod their head while shaking your hand. This
nod is a modification for Westerners to the bow of respect.
Translate your Business Cards in Japanese
If you will be doing a lot of business with the Japanese it makes sense
to have your business cards translated into Japanese on the backside. The
custom in Japan is to present your card with both hands and take cards offered
to you in both hands or in your right hand only.
Teamwork
In Japanese culture, the team always comes before the individual. While
we preach teamwork in the West, you will find that your business dealings
in Japan have amazing teamwork. This is to be respected and kept at the forefront
in all dealings between yourself, your Japanese business contacts and those
within your own organization as well.
Use Software to Translate English to Japanese or Japanese to English
Crossing the language barrier is always an issue when conducting business
in a foreign country. While many Japanese business people do speak
some English, good translation software is a must for the best communication
in your business
meetings.
Using a Japanese Translator on your laptop, allows you to
quickly translate any English words or thoughts into Japanese. By
having this Japanese
language converter at your disposal, you can much more easily communicate
your needs.
Remember that software will not give you perfect results,
but you can get the gist of the translation using software.
What can Japanese translation software do for you?
1. Convert any text from English to Japanese or English to Japanese
2. Translates e-mail message to/from the Japanese language
3. Translates letters, reports, and memos into English or Japanese
5. Perfect tool for converting Excel files, Microsoft Word and
Power Point presentations and PDF files.
Tip: If you rely on software completely to do the translation
and do not have human to proof your document, send both the English
and the Japanese
translation and put a note on the translated text to let the
recipient
know you have used software. This way if there is any question
they can refer
back to the English.
Final Thoughts
Doing business in Japan is a very unique experience. The Japanese people
are both very formal and very respectful in their business dealings. This
formality and respect can be seen in their actions, speech, and meeting structures.
By understanding this you can contour your actions to meet those of your
Japanese counterparts and be successful in all of your business dealings
in Japan. With the added functionality of a good Japanese translator software,
you can insure your communication is clear and you are well understood.
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