What Not To Do At A Business Meeting In Japan

 Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on respect and formality, and this is reflected in business meetings with Japanese companies. To ensure a successful meeting, it is important to be aware of and avoid certain cultural faux pas.

1.    Being late: Punctuality is highly valued in Japanese culture, so it is important to arrive on time for your meeting. Being late can be seen as a sign of disrespect and can negatively impact the tone of the meeting.

2.    Being overly casual: Meetings with Japanese companies are often formal occasions, and it is important to dress and behave accordingly. Avoid using slang or overly casual language, and maintain a professional demeanor throughout the meeting.

3.    Interrupting: Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on listening and showing respect for others. Interrupting or speaking out of turn can be seen as impolite and may cause offense.

4.    Negotiating too aggressively: Japanese companies often prefer a more indirect and gradual approach to negotiations. Being too aggressive or confrontational in your negotiation style can cause offense and may result in the meeting ending prematurely.

5.    Neglecting business cards: Business cards, or "meishi," are an important part of business culture in Japan. They should be presented and received with two hands and should be treated with respect. Neglecting to bring or properly exchange business cards can be seen as a lack of respect.

By understanding and avoiding these cultural faux pas, you can ensure a successful and respectful meeting with a Japanese company. Remember that every company is different, and it's always a good idea to research the company, its culture and its specific way of doing business before the meeting.