We have provided for you, in the following, some situations or customs in Japan which may be unfamiliar to those visiting Japan for the first time. Hopefully, we will answer some questions which you may have in regard to the Japanese culture and its people, in general. We also hope this will give you some insight and tips on what to expect and do in Japan during your visit. The information provided should help in both a business and leisure setting. We will keep updating this section periodically. So, please visit us here once in a while.
 

Seating Arrangements:
It is very important to know where to seat people at a table whether at a conference, meeting or meals. In many cases, your Japanese hosts will indicate which seat you should take. They have intricate seating rules based on your position and seniority. Typically, the most important person at a function gets the best seat. For instance, you would not sit someone near the door, but would allow them to have the best view of the area surrounding the function. (The seat with a view of the outside, or one which allows them to see the entire restaurant.)

Not only are there seating arrangements at a table, but there are particular seating arrangements in a car, as well. Guests are seated in a car by the safest seat to the least safest seat. For those of you thinking "Shot Gun", that is the most dangerous seat in the car.

Either by seniority or status, persons are seated as follows:

Seat behind the driver as safest. Next is the seat behind the front passenger. The "hump" seat in the middle of the rear is next safest and finally, the all favorite front passenger seat, "Shot Gun", is the last seat you will offer to your guest.

Business Cards:
It is very customary in Japan to give out your business card, or MEHSHI in Japanese. Even if you do not have a company business card, such as a student, many Japanese people have their own cards made up with all pertinent information included. (Full Name, Address and Telephone Numbers) You should always carry business card with you. As most Japanese can read English, your business card does not need to be in Japanese. A business person without a business card is like a person without a face.

The proper etiquette of giving and receiving
a business card is as follows:
When you give a business card to a person, do not toss it or place it on the table in front of the person. Always give it by hand, using both hands, if you feel comfortable. Accept one in return and study it. Do not put it away quickly. It is OK to write on his or her business card such as the meeting date or something which will help you remember this person in the future.

Understanding Negotiation Practices:
There is a common practice among Japanese businessmen which is misunderstood by foreigners during negotiation and contracting. During meetings with foreigners and even amongst Japanese themselves, Japanese businessmen tend to nod and say yes in agreement. This is a common practice which does not completely mean that your counterpart is agreeing with you or in compliance with the negotiations. Nodding and continually saying yes while under negotiations has a very different meaning. If not understood, many foreign businessmen will complete negotiations with the impression that things went very well and in favor of the foreigner. Japanese businessmen tend to nod or say yes to show they are listening to you. Saying yes and nodding confirms that they understand what you are saying. They understand your English or concepts, they generally are not agreeing with you.

Keep this in mind when negotiating with Japanese businessmen.

Magic phrase "I am sorry (Sumimasen)"
In non-Japanese cultures, people tend to say "I am sorry" only when they truly feel that way or when saying the phrase does not bring about negative consequences. In Japan, the phrase "I am sorry" or the Japanese term "Sumimasen" is used very frequently. The term is used in place of "Excuse me" when you want to address a person. It is used in place of "Thank you", or in many cases when you want to be polite, or sound harmonious. Thus, if you want to act in accordance with the Japanese culture, be sure to use the term "Sumimasen" quiet often.

In Japan, the culture tends to be very humble. People tend to take blame upon themselves. Uttering the term "I am sorry'' does not bind you legally or financially. There is an episode related to this, which shows a flip side. Many Japanese foreign tour guidebooks teach Japanese tourists to not say "I am sorry". For example, if a Japanese tourist were to be involved in a car accident, the books say" uttering the phrase confirms your admission of guilt and hence, the books claim that they will be liable for damages.

It is very different in the Japanese culture and may be difficult to get used to.

Gift Giving:
The gift giving ritual in Japan is very elaborate. As a rule, when Japanese people visit a company or friends, especially a visit for the first time, one usually carries a small gift. It is not expected that an outsider bear gifts when visiting Japan. However, gifts are always appreciated. A local partner, if you have one, can advise you what to bring to your meeting. We would recommend something small and light, but not too expensive, such as a pen or tie pin. The fact that you offered a token gift matters more than the gift itself. If you know that you will be meeting with 10 people, be sure to have 12 gifts so that you can give one gift to everybody, including a few unexpected attendees.

Miscellaneous:
Most Japanese cities differ somewhat to those in advanced nations such as New York city or any Western European city. Density is a lot higher than in American or European cities. You may see a wall of people walking against or with you. Follow the stream of people when you walk. Don't expect "excuse me" from Japanese people when you are bumped. -- The flip side of this may be that if you are bumped by someone in an American city, and no apology is given, this person is most probably Japanese. --

In Japan, foreigners used to attract a gaze or stare. However, this not so any more in central Tokyo. In more rural areas, you may feel that the people around you are staring.

What Japanese Think of Americans:
Although you may not notice this during your visit, many Japanese believe that it is OK to be blunt or direct in American culture. Their typical perception of an American person is rich and good looking, one with blond hair and blue eyes. (We at Ohashi High Technology do not qualify as Americans since all of us have dark hair and many of us are emigrants from Japan and racially Japanese.)

Getting Around:
Walking. Of course, this is the best way of getting to know a strange place. Japan is safe and clean, --- at all times. So, go ahead and walk as far as you can. It is common knowledge that a woman can walk by herself late at night in most places without looking over her shoulder.

Japan has one of the best public transportation systems in the world. Trains in Japan pride themselves on the accurateness of arrival and departure. So much so, you can set your watch to scheduled departures and arrivals. One can pretty much get around using public transportation. There are networks of various trains, including a very clean subway system to get you where you want to go.

No reservations are necessary on the Shinkan-sen (the famous "bullet train") except for first class seats (called "Green" seats). In major cities, trains run every few minutes. So, you don't even need to know the train schedule. Go to the train station and jump on the one that comes next. You must buy a ticket before you enter the boarding area, however. If it seems difficult to know the exact fare, get the lowest fare, which is around US$1, and pay the difference after you get off when you show your ticket to a clerk at the exit. Most trains run from 5:30am or so to around midnight.

A Useful Tip: Obtain a JR Rail Pass for a week or two before you leave for Japan. It works like a Eurail pass and you can use the JR rail/bus/ferry system within all of Japan for the entire duration. This JR rail pass includes some lines on the Shinkan-sen ("Kodama" (echo) and "Hikari" (light). However, the fastest of the bullet trains, which runs between Tokyo and Osaka, is not included. This line is called "Nozomi" (hope). JR is a collection of the largest private railroad companies in Japan, all of which were once owned and ran by the Japanese government as one entity. A one week pass for one person will cost about $200. A round trip between Tokyo and Osaka will cost you more than the week pass. A first class pass on the JR will run about $240. -- If you can not find a place to buy a pass, give us a call.

We strongly don't suggest renting a car in Japan. Most of your time would be spent looking for parking.

Tipping:
Tipping is not required nor expected.


Weekend Visits:

Kyoto
Kyoto is an ancient Japanese capital. It takes about 3 hours of bullet train ride from Tokyo or 30 minutes from Osaka. It is worth spending one or two days. Kyoto has many ancient wooden temples and shrines. The city itself is modern. Hundreds of ancient temples and shines scatter around on the modern streets.

We suggest that your list should include:
Kiyomizu-dera,
Kinkaku-ji
and Ryu-an-ji.

At night, we suggest strolling around Gion, and Ponto-cho. You should be able to find a reasonable eatery as you walk around.

Nikko
Nikko is located close to Tokyo, to the north. It is a little town with lots of historic wooden architecture located in the mountains. If you do not have enough time to go to Kyoto, we suggest Nikko instead. You can make a day trip from Tokyo.

Kamakura
Kamakura is a historic city with ancient architecture. Kamakura is one hour train ride from Tokyo or 30 minutes from Yokohama.