JAPAN: Land of the Rising Sun Presented by: Annaliza Talatala MSE608A February 9, 2009

Demographics June 2008 estimated million people (10 th most populated country) Major problem in Japan: decreasing birth rate (soshika = society without children) – 20% decrease in population by mid- century – % growth rate Life expectancy approx. 81 yrs old 99% literacy, 95% with High School diploma Urban society with 5% labor force in agriculture Metropolitan Tokyo-Yokohama has 35 million people = world’s most populous city - videovideo

Other facts Language – Japanese 17 hour difference – 7pm in LA, 12pm in Tokyo Holidays – 2/11 (National Foundation Day), Golden Week (4/29,5/3,5/4,5/5), New Year (1/1- 1/3) & Obon Week (13 th -15 th July/Aug) Hofstede Analysis: Japan – Very Masculine country – Lowest rank in individualism, collectivist culture – High uncertainty avoidance

Doing Business with the Japanese Currency – Yen (¥) Exchange rate vs. USD – 1USD = 91.33JPY (as of 2/8/09) International trade = lifeblood of Japanese economy 2007 – exported $677billion worth of goods to Int’l. market – Imported $572billion; $102bil trade surplus Key trade partners – US, China, South Korea, Taiwan & Hong Kong Industrial exports = automotive products, semiconductors, electrical machinery, & chemicals When doing business in Japan, relationships & loyalty to the group is critical for success!

Japanese Business Etiquette Meishi Meishi 1. Must have! 2. Distribution of Japanese business card 3. Accepting a Japanese business card 4. Never write notes on a Japanese business card - never! 5. Never fidget or play with a Japanese business card. 6. Keep your Japanese business cards in a proper carrying case and treat them with respect. 7. Remember to deliberately and carefully pick up all of the Japanese business cards you receive and put them into your case at the end of the meeting. 8. You probably get the idea that Japanese business cards are important!

Japanese Business Etiquette Formal Business Attire Formal Business Attire 1. Men Wear dark suits (navy or black) with white shirt and subdued tie from October – April Gray suit from May – September Wear half-sleeve shirts during the summer months Japanese companies do not allow male employees to wear beards nor to shave their heads. 2. Women Wear shorter or tied back hair Trouser suits or longer skirt suits with seasonal colors as for men No jewelry, No very short skirts or No high-heeled shoes

Japanese Business Etiquette Business meetings Business meetings 1. Always arrive 10 minutes early for a meeting, more if the meeting will be with senior executives. 2. Plan an exact agenda for the meeting 3. Wait to be seated in the meeting room because there is a custom regarding which party sits on which physical side of the table (which supposedly dates back to the samurai era)! 4. It is good Japanese business etiquette to take lots of notes 5. If you need a non-disclosure agreement signed send it well in advance of the meeting. 6. Don't forget your Japanese business cards!

Japanese Business Etiquette Personal Habits Personal Habits 1. Do not blow your nose in a public place (including meeting rooms). 2. Do not grab your host's hand when first meeting and give it a hearty shake - many Japanese seldom shake hands and can be so uncomfortable doing so as to avoid meeting again! 3. Never pat a Japanese man on the back or shoulder. 4. Never make derogatory remarks about anyone, including your competitors and own employees. 5. Always smile, be pleasant, be willing to learn, ask a lot of questions about your customer's company (and none about his/her private life). 6. Learn some Japanese phrases.

Japanese Business Phrases “Talatala desu” = My name is Talatala. “Ohayogozaimasu” = Good morning. “Konnichiwa” = Good day. “Kombanwa” = Good evening. “Domo arigato gozaimashita” = Thank you. “Onegaishimasu” = If you please… “Gomen nasai” = Sorry. “Sumimasen” = Excuse me.

Resources etiquette.htm etiquette.htm export.suite101.com/article.cfm/top_japanese_import s_exports_in_ export.suite101.com/article.cfm/top_japanese_import s_exports_in_2007