Doing business in Japan | Japanese Social and
Business Culture
A Japanese Culture Overview
Fact file
o Official name - Japan
o Population - 127, 333, 002* (July 2004 est.)
o Official language - Japanese
o Currency - Yen
o Capital city - Tokyo
o GDP - purchasing power parity $3. 567
trillion* (2003 est.).
o GDP per capita - purchasing power parity
$28, 000* (2003 est.).
Overview
Japan is the land of peace and harmony that
continues to evolve in a positive unification of tradition and modernisation. With its elaborate
and colourful history and culture, Japan has formed a distinct model of hierarchy, honour
and etiquette that is still reflected in many social and business practices today.
If your organisation is planning to conduct business with Japan, potential success depends
upon an understanding of this culturally influenced protocol.
Japanese culture - Key concepts and values
Wa - The most valued principle still alive in Japanese society today is the concept of 'wa', or
'harmony'. The preservation of social harmony dates back to the first constitution in 604 AD
and the teamwork needed when living and working on collective farms. In business terms,
'wa' is reflected in the avoidance of self-assertion and individualism and the preservation of
good relationships despite differences in opinion. When doing business with the Japanese it is
also important to remember the affect of 'wa' on many patterns of Japanese behaviour, in
particular their indirect expression of 'no'.
Kao - One of the fundamental factors of the Japanese social system is the notion of 'face'. Face
is a mark of personal pride and forms the basis of an individual's reputation and social status.
Preservation of face co ...