JAPAN
Cultural patterns
VALUES
Selflessness, perseverance, respecting your elders, committed to the best, aware of one’s role in society and collectivism are all core values being taught in family as well as educational processes in Japan.
SELFLESNESS
Omoiyari, which means to notice and think of others, doesn’t necessarily refer to altruism, but more to interdependence. Learning and growing by stepping into someone else’s perspective and being appreciative towards others and their ideas is important in general for doing business, but Japanese take this value to a new level: In Japan customers are treated like God, which means that Japanese try to fulfill any need before the customer asks for or even thinks about it.
PERSEVERANCE
Ganbaru, which means to slog on tenaciously through tough times, is something that Japanese continually practice throughout their lives. This active act of working hard towards the goal leads to an extreme working mentality. On the other hand Japanese also learn the passive gaman, which is the ability to tolerate the unbearable, and reflects maturity and strength.
RELATIONSHIP
With the influence from Confucianism, Japanese believe that all human relationships involve a set of defined roles and mutual obligations, and thus every member of the society must understand and conform to his/her proper role. Family ties are strong in Japan and are not only binding to the living extended family but also the generations of ancestors. So because of the conformity and obedience for those in authority in Japanese culture, you should avoid showing individualism and ego-based ambitions.
BELIEFS
Japan has its own unique belief system called Shinto. It is an action-centered set of beliefs and focuses on ritual practices that are to be carried out diligently to reflect the connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past.
SHINTO
THE "EVIL" FOREIGNER
You want to obtain a full citizenship in Japan? Even if your family has been living in Japan for generations this won’t be easy. Japanese are highly protective of their culture and society and thus discourage the influx of foreigners coming to work and live in Japan for fear of diluting their local culture. Japanese often belief subconsciously that foreigners are evil and the source of crime as well as public disorder. Even foreign pharmaceuticals are often prohibited in Japan on the basis that they have not been proven to be safe for the Japanese people. So try to adapt to the Japanese culture as much as possible and leave your own cultural values, beliefs and norms in your home country. You’ll probably never be accepted as a real Japanese, but you can at least avoid hostility.
NORMS
Courtesy is extremely important in Japan. Probably you think that it is important in your country as well and you therefore don’t have to change your behavior, but Japanese take politeness to another level, which is reflected by their norms:
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Don’t blow your nose in public as it is considered rude. Japanese will normally sniffle until they get somewhere private to blow it out discreetly. Japanese are also repelled by the idea of having a handkerchief.
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After patronizing a shop, the staff will bow to you when you leave. If you return the bow, the staff will bow again as she/he feels the need to return that bow.
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Don’t give tips to Japanese service staff, because they will feel offended and degraded as Japanese pride themselves and do their best in everything they do.
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Japanese will wear masks if they are not feeling well, but still need to work or walk around in public. This act is uncommon around the world, but Japanese concern the welfare of others at all times and thus care not to spread the illness to anyone around them.
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Pointing is extremely impolite.
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There is no clear separation between work and private life. While doing a business in Japan, you can be invited to Japanese home.
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The elderly are viewed as being intellectual and guiding figures to others. During meetings the greatest respect should be shown to the oldest ones.
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Be careful with your gestures. Japanese bow as a way of greeting a person and the depth of the bow indicates the status of the relationship.
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The Japanese say “yes” when they mean “I hear you” and sometimes say “I’ll consider it” instead of “no” to avoid arguments.