Experiencing Japan
Popular Culture
Japanese popular culture not only reflects the attitudes and concerns of the present but also provides a link to the past. Popular films, television programs, comics, and music all developed from older artistic and literary traditions, and many of their themes and styles of presentation can be traced to traditional art forms. Contemporary forms of popular culture, much like the traditional forms, provide not only entertainment but also an escape for the contemporary Japanese from the problems of an industrial world. When asked how they spent their leisure time, 80 percent of a sample of men and women surveyed by the government in 1986 said they averaged about two and one-half hours per weekday watching television, listening to the radio, and reading newspapers or magazines. Some 16 percent spent an average of two and one-quarter hours a day engaged in hobbies or amusements. Others spent leisure time participating in sports, socializing, and personal study. Teenagers and retired people reported more time spent on all of these activities than did other groups.
In the late 1980s, the family was the focus of leisure activities, such as excursions to parks or shopping districts. Although Japan is often thought of as a hard-working society with little time for pleasure, the Japanese seek entertainment wherever they can. It is common to see Japanese commuters riding the train to work, enjoying their favorite manga or listening through earphones to the latest in popular music on portable music players.
A wide variety of types of popular entertainment are available. There is a large selection of music, films, and the products of a huge comic book industry, among other forms of entertainment, from which to choose. Game centers, bowling alleys, and karaoke are popular hangout places for teens while older people may play shogi or go in specialized parlors. Together, the publishing, film/video, music/audio, and game industries in Japan make up the growing Japanese content industry, which, in 2006, was estimated to be worth close to 14 trillion Yen (USD$ 120 billion.)
Business Customs
An understanding of Japanese business and social practices is useful in establishing and maintaining successful business relationships in Japan. Indifference to local business practices may indicate a lack of commitment on the part of the exporter, and may lead to misunderstandings and bad feelings, which could result in the loss of business opportunities. One should not assume that because meetings and correspondence are carried out in English that Western social and business norms apply.
Japanese society is complex, structured, hierarchical and group-oriented with strong emphasis on maintaining harmony and avoiding direct confrontation. Japanese religious practice tends to be socially oriented and selective rather than a matter of deep personal commitment; ethics tend to be situational. In building relationships (which often precede a first-time sale or an agreement) one should emphasize trust, confidence, loyalty and commitment for the long term.
Group decision-making is important in Japan and has been generally described as a bottom up exercise rather than top down. Family businesses founded since WWII and smaller second-tier firms are exceptions to this rule. However, even in the large family firms, where decisions are made at the top, the process is usually managed so that company members have a sense of participation. This type of group decision-making tends to be slower. Recognizing that it takes a longer time to cultivate business relationships in Japan than in the United States, American business executives should not expect to make a deal in just a few days. Consistent follow-up is vital. Likewise, American business people should recognize the importance of working with the staff level of their Japanese counterparts and not exclusively with the executive level.
Gift giving is expected on many business occasions in Japan. Regional U.S. gifts or company-logo gifts are appropriate. Quality is important, but the gift does not have to be expensive. The packaging of the gift is as important as the gift itself and should be done professionally. In Japan, sets of four are considered unlucky (the number four is pronounced the same as the word for death). Gifts that can be shared among a group are appropriate.
Business travelers to Japan should make sure to bring a large supply of business cards (with their title) when they come to Japan; printing bilingual cards is a nice touch. Business cards are exchanged to formalize the introduction process and establish the status of the parties relative to each other. Japanese bow when greeting each other but will expect to shake hands with foreign executives. A slight bow in acknowledgment of a Japanese bow is appreciated. Japanese executives deal on a last name basis in business relationships, and initial business and social contacts are characterized by politeness and formality.
Business travelers visiting a Japanese firm for the first time should be accompanied by an interpreter. Many Japanese executives and decision-makers do not speak English, although many of them can greet visitors in English and read English product literature relevant to their business or industry expertise. Generally speaking, Japanese are weaker at hearing and speaking English, and more adept at reading and writing. Thus the Japanese side in a business meeting generally expects a visitor to bring an interpreter if they are serious about doing business. Although the cost for hiring an interpreter is high ($400 to $900 per day depending on class), bringing along an interpreter shows that a visiting firm is serious about seeking to market their products/services in Japan.
The first visit to a Japanese firm generally serves as a courtesy call to introduce American executives and their company, and also allows the U.S. side to begin to evaluate a target company and its executives as potential business partners. A request to meet only with English speaking staff can mean missing the opportunity to become acquainted with higher-ranking executives.
A written contract, even if less detailed than a contract between two U.S. companies, is essential to meet legal, tax, customs and accounting requirements. Contractual commitments are perceived as representing long-term relationships so the terms and conditions, for example whether to grant exclusive rights, should be considered carefully.
Travel Advisory
Japan is noted for its low crime and safe streets. Crimes against U.S. citizens in Japan are rare and usually only involve personal disputes, theft or vandalism. Crime is at levels well below the U.S. national average. Violent crime is rare, but does exist. Incidents of pick-pocketing of foreigners in crowded shopping areas, on trains and at airports have been a sporadic concern. Some Americans believe that Japanese police procedures appear to be less sensitive and responsive to a victim's concerns than would be the case in the United States, particularly in cases involving domestic violence and sexual assault. Few victim’s assistance resources or battered women’s shelters exist in major urban areas, and are generally unavailable in rural areas. Investigations of sexual assault crimes are often conducted without women police officers present and typically involve inquiries into the victim’s sexual history and previous relationships. Quality of translations can vary significantly, and has proven unsettling to some American victims.
Telecommunications
Japan boasts one of the world’s most advanced, state-of-the-art telecommunications systems. Almost all Japanese own a cell phone and use them constantly for text messaging, e-mail, and downloading information from the Internet in addition to making phone calls. Cable Internet services and dedicated Internet T-1 lines are not quite as common as they are in the United States, however. Public phones, most often card-operated, are available everywhere. To call the United States and Canada from Japan, dial 0101 before the ten-digit U.S. telephone number.
Transportation
Japan has excellent, modern highways and roads linking all parts of country. Traffic conditions are often very congested, however. Most major intercity highways operate on a toll basis, and tolls are very expensive, making passenger railroad service very competitive, especially for the foreign visitor. Japan boasts the world’s densest and most modern passenger railroad system, with fast, frequent services to all parts of the country. Japan’s famous shinkansen high-speed rails lines link Tokyo with Japan’s major business centers at speeds of up to 185 mph. All of Japan’s large cities have highly developed subway and commuter train service. Taxi service is available everywhere.
Foreign visitors should not entertain the notion of renting a car in Japan unless they have excellent Japanese-language skills, as streets typically have no name and many road signs are written in Japanese only. Combined with very high car rental fees and highway tolls, these conditions make it far cheaper and more convenient for the majority of visitors from overseas to use taxis and trains.
Language
The national language of Japan is Japanese (nihongo) and is spoken and understood all over the country. English is a required subject in Japanese high schools, and it is by far the most widely known foreign language in Japan. International business correspondence and negotiations in Japan are almost always conducted in English. This being said, however, most Japanese, including business executives, have only a very imperfect understanding and command of English, although there are of course exceptions. Japanese business executives often read English much better than they can speak it or understand it when spoken. It is advisable, therefore, to be accompanied by a competent professional interpreter to all business meetings, especially an initial contact where you might be unsure of your counterparts’ mastery of English.
Business Hours
The typical Japanese workweek is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., although many Japanese office workers put in long hours of overtime. Flex work hours have become popular at large companies.
Holidays
When a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a compensatory day. In addition, many Japanese companies and government offices traditionally close during the New Year's holiday season (December 28-January 3), "Golden Week" (April 29-May 5) and the traditional “O-Bon” Festival (usually August 12-15).
