Introduction
This report examines differences and similarities of Japan and the United States cultural and presents suggestions for improving cultural. Thus, countries culture can mean comparing and understanding the patterns, interactions, communication and dealings. Moreover, because traditions and business customs have become growing confrontation on behavior in crossing international boundaries, major changes are essential. In addition, to improve culture differences, my recommendations on becoming knowledgeable on country’s business meetings, time, business attire, etiquette and behavior, decision-making styles, women in the workplace, gift giving, handshakes, business cards, English used in business, gesture/non-verbal communication and negotiations are all key tools to having good relationships between countries (Guffey, 2008).
Business Meetings
Business meetings are “formally and may focus on building a relationship based on friendliness, harmony and trust. It is customary to greet the senior manager first, others descending order and the use of a soft handshake with a little eye contact, and a slight bow. Decisions are rarely made is the meetings (Bosrock, 2014). In addition, the United States meetings are informal and taken very seriously. In other words, a relationship may develop after a signed contract. However, the Americans must stay calm, make adjustment appropriately, respect elders and promote harmony.
Time
When meeting with a Japanese senior member, Japan considers it proper to arrive on time or 10 minutes early. Promptness is imperative in all meetings since Japanese considers tardiness as rudeness and may have adverse influence of business rulings (JETRO, n.d.).
Business Attire
The Japanese believes dark ...
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Japan and the United States are both well-recognized nations in the business world. And both have been trade partners for several decades. However, there are many differences in business and social practices between these countries. Both countries do focus on excellence and competition in business. And social status and education also have a strong affect on probable success in the work world. But, there are a few differences in philosophy, cultural actions, and business practices.
Upadhyaya, Preeti, and Lauren Hepler. "Why hiring women may make your business more money."Silicon Valley Business Journal [San Jose] 11 September 2013, n. pag. Web. 13 April 2014.
This past summer, I was given the incredible opportunity to attend a summer program at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business with a group of other young women who want to advance the role of women in business. The Gannon Center for Women and Leadership is the perfect place for young women like myself who feel as though the dialogue surrounding women’s rights and their ability to lead is very pertinent and important to continue. As a woman who is interested in business, it is clear that the “glass ceiling” is cracking, but has not yet been shattered. Women today have excelled in virtually every field from academics to business and philanthropy. They have become presidents of universities and chairs in Fortune 500 boardrooms. As doctors, lawyers, owners of businesses, and professional athletes as well as politicians, we see many successful and powerful women who make a very positive impact on society. This inspires me in countless
Julie says they have a very different views on work; they have a much greater worth work ethic. The Japanese she works with will be at work before anyone else is in the office, which is about 8 o'clock in the morning, and leave later than everyone else, which is about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. They really socialize while at work and then you show socializing at work as a bad thing, the American culture doesn’t view this as strictly as the Japanese culture does. When Julie first started working there she was started when she reached out to shake someone’s hand and they bowed toward her, and never extended their hand for a hand shake. She later learned that when Japanese meet someone new or come in contact with someone of higher power or that person is seen as someone to respect they bow to them; in America we would just shake their hand. Julie stayed that many of them smoke, " like a freight train", smoking is still common in the US however not like in Japan. Their eating habits are very different from ours, they don't overindulge in food, like we do. Also they don't eat a lot of sweets, they view sweets as a luxury. Julie says that they have a very professional culture; they communicate with everyone in a very professional/ formal way. As for America we communicate very causally majority of the time. She says they have a similar clothing style as we do with some slight
Japan is a harmonious society with low rates of litigation, crime, and divorce. Their citizens learn to be attentive to others, to value group goals more than immediate personal gain, and to broadly include everyone in group activities and decisions.
Since my cultural experience was on the Japanese culture, I decided I would continue on with that interest and write my paper about the Japanese culture therefor giving me a chance to do more research about the culture. The Japanese culture is really rich and diverse, there is a particular hierarchy or structure to the Japanese culture, Denison (2002) stated that “Japanese culture is structured around black and white norms for acceptable group behavior. People who do not function by there norms are viewed as outsiders who lack legitimate status. Black and white expectations of behavior produce equally clear cut conformity, resulting in high harmony and certainly of outcome, trust is early through continuous conformity”.This is a huge and really important aspect of their culture because it governs their social standing, interacting with others and the way they are seen, and when it comes to your social standing in the culture, the way you are seen and respected by those around you is very important.
...andings. It is also important to embrace Japanese tradition and recognising their particular way of doing things. A willingness to learn about the cultural aspects of another country can enhance the building of relationships and improve the business success rate in a Japanese environment (Hill, Cronk and Wickramasekera 2011, p. 555).
The differences in other cultures vary from beliefs to ways of life, or norms, of the different societies. The importance of understanding and sensitivity to other countries’ differences is crucial to a business’ success. “Lack of familiarity with the business practices, social customs, and etiquette of a country can weaken a co...
The Japanese have a unique way of introducing themselves and having expectations of how foreigners should be introduced when doing business with the Japanese (Nishiyama, 2000, p. 50). Japanese businessmen should not introduce themselves instead, they should be introduce or recommend by someone who has a good relationship with the company to allow the Japanese to know where to place you in the hierarchy (Kwintessential, n.d.). Before doing business with the Japanese, one must know the job title, company affiliation, and seniority rank or age to determine how language will be use, the manner in which one will be speaking, and nonverbal behavior. American businessmen should only have positive attitudes toward the Japanese because of thei...
Japan is a very homogenous society made up of about 98% ethnic Japanese. They tend to put a lot of emphasis on family and communities, and value the group more than the individual (Aliasis, 2013). The social hierarchy important and members of the society are expected to conform. One way is showing respect for one’s elders, for example the oldest member of a group is served first and their drinks are poured for them (AngloINFO, 2014). This mentality is common in the business world as well. Promotions are usually based on seniority and people often work at one company their entire lives. This way of life brings satisfaction and pride to the people (Aliasis, 2013). When greeting others it is customary to bow, although the Japanese are familiar with our ways and would expect us to want to shake hands rather than bow (Bazzel, 2013; Angloinfo, 2014). Also, being too direct about what one is really thinking is not socially acceptable. The Japanese use subtle language and rely heavily on non-verbal forms of communication (Aliasis, 2013).
Heine, Lehman, Ide, Leung, Kitayama, Takata, and Matsumoto (2001) performed a study on the cultural differences between North American and Japanese natives in their model of self as well as their perception of success and failure. The researchers found that Japanese students are more sensitive to information related to their weaknesses while American students are more sensitive to information related to their strengths. The Japanese students worked much harder when focusing on their weaknesses while American students worked harder while working on their strengths. Ultimately, Americans used a self-enhancing strategy while the Japanese used a self-improving strategy. Both cultures share similar goals of achievement but they use vastly different strategies in achieving these goals. As we look back at the Khan
The Japanese culture is based on its long rich history and change is not welcome, things are done the way they were hundreds of years ago. People also don’t tend to voice their opinions like we do here in the States. Anyone who speaks out usually isn’t given much attention and they fall back into their place and a majority of the population is fine with that. Everyone is fine with fitting in and personal opinion is not voiced out loud most of the time. There are multiple practices that are part of the Japanese culture that are not found in American culture. A few of these are bowing instead of handshake when you address someone, slurping or loud noises are viewed as polite and that you’re enjoying your food, and tipping is viewed as an insult. These practices are somewhat opposite in the American culture, we are much more different than some people tend to realize.
Australians are much more individualistic than the Japanese and thus when John travelled to Japan he found himself having to adjust to this. As a collectivist society this was evident to John in the nature of the people he stayed with during a home stay. He said they were much more welcoming and accommodating than what he was used to. John noticed a substantial difference between the Australian outspoken way of life where individuals directly communicate what they want whereas the Japanese are very reserved and polite as they are reluctant to disturb group harmony, often the Australian sense...
IONESCU, C. (2012). BUSINESS WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE NEW ECONOMY. Hyperion International Journal Of Econophysics & New Economy, 5(1), 177-186.
Different countries have different cultures, values, and ideologies. In every society, manners and etiquette are essential. These beliefs have been derived and practiced from the old generation to the modern generation. Manners also shape societies and rule people. In some countries, Thailand and Japan, have a significant numbers of foreigners for varied purposes such as travelling, working, and studying. However, living in the different circumstances is not simple. People may experience some troubles, which can make them confused and embarrassed. Learning to adapt ourselves by learning through their behaviors may encourage people to understand them better. This essay will compare the difference of manners and etiquettes between Thailand and Japan in three significant points.