Business Customs Between Japan and the U.S.

Paper Summary:

In this paper the author examines the striking differences between Japanese and U.S. business customs which emanate from their different cultures. The author looks at the main concepts that differ between the two nations such as the Japanese emphasis on trust which they believe must be a major component of all long-term relationships. The author gives the example of how contracts do not have as much meaning as with U.S. business relationships. The author discusses in detail the main concepts that the Japanese work under, trust and harmony, unity and intuitive decision making. In conclusion the author points out that although the customs of Japanese business relationships are becoming more widely known and understood, he still recommends that a third party intermediary is taken to help in transactions. This, he states is quite common practice and a preferred practice of the Japanese so that many of the common errors of business protocol can be avoided.

Table of Contents:
Key Concepts
Group Harmony or Wa
Long-Term Relationships, or Nagai Tsukiai
Public Face;Tatemae and True Feelings; Honne
Communication Without Words; Hara-gei and Trust; Shinyo
Conclusions

From the Paper:

"This aspect of the Japanese value system has important implications for business negotiations with Japanese clients or partners and is an area where particularly Americans with their somewhat "helter-skelter," lifestyles tend to look upon as superfluous. Therefore, this striking difference of culture-clash is by way of contrast and comparison quite an important factor for the American businessperson to study very carefully if one wishes to conduct business on any level in Japan. Executives of the Japanese organization will want to spend a great deal of time in getting to know prospective foreign associates and it explains why there is so much emphasis on the getting acquainted phase of the first meeting and why informal socializing is such a crucial component of establishing a business alliance in Japan."

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