Japanese Business Eqtiquette

Content:

I. Introduction

II. History

a. What is the countryÐŽ¦s political tradition?

b. Is there a dictatorship or other form of the government which means that the government will be closely involved in your efforts?

c. Is there a history of colonization or occupation by another state?

d. Are there any tensions with neighbors?

e. Is the country secular or not?

f. Religion?

III. Concepts for doing business

a. How does this culture see time?

b. How does this culture gather information?

c. How does this culture fit into the other models presented in class?

d. What are the important values in this culture; is there understanding of these values the same as yours?

e. How do hierarchies and negotiation styles fit in?

f. Is bribery an issue?

IV. Social Situation

a. Are there any particular manners or etiquette tips that are very important?

b. Is there a place for humor, small talk, etc.?

c. Are there particularities about food and drink?

d. Are there particularities about dress, body contact?

V. Conclusion

VI. References

a. History

b. Concepts for doing business

c. Social situations

I. Introduction

Our German company is planning a joint venture in Japan. For the reason that this is the first international venture of the company in its thirty year reason, we will send you, a delegation of men and women from our company, for a week-long trip to Japan for a first meeting with our counterparts.

There are several factors which we tried to cover while for you in order to make your stay as successful as possible:

„« history

„« what factors might pose problems for Germans

„« how Germans can avoid offending the locals

„« how Germans can avoid culture shock

„« critical points to remember for the initial meetings

We tried to collect all these information in order to smooth your way in the Japanese business world.

We hope that this report will help you to find the way through the new culture you will soon have to handle.

II. History

a. What is the countryÐŽ¦s political tradition?

Japan is academically considered a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral parliament, the Kokkai or Diet.

A constitutional monarchy is a form of government which represents a compromise between those who prefer the theories of sovereignty, which places sovereignty in the hands of the people, and those that see a role for tradition in the theory of government. Though the king or queen may be regarded as the government's symbolic head, it is the Prime Minister, who actually governs the country.

Japan has a royal family led by an Emperor, Akihito (born December 23, 1933) is the current and 125th Emperor of Japan, but under the current constitution he holds no power at all, not even emergency reserve powers.

Sovereignty, which was previously embodied in the Emperor, is now the domain of the people. The Emperor is defined as the symbol of the state.

Japan has a parliamentary government, which consists of three branches: the executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch.

This system is comparable to that in the United Kingdom.

b. Is there a dictatorship or other form of the government which means that the government will be closely involved in your efforts?

The first Imperial Diet was established in 1890 and made Japan the first country in Asia, which was ruled by parliamentary politics. The Diet was the legislative organ of the state and had the highest power, for example initiating constitutional revisions or designating a prime minister.

The upper house of the Imperial Diet consisted of the privileged class, for example the peerage, monarchs and the sovereignty ruled by the emperor.

Today the emperor does not have any effective power but is only the symbol of the state.

In 1946, during the occupation by the Allied powers the present constitution of the Imperial Diet (legislative branch/emperor) was promulgated and a new government was adopted. The old Meiji constitution from 1889 was replaced and a democratic system emerged. Major changes were that the sovereignty was given to the people, the function of the emperor became purely symbolic and the power was divided into three branches.

Today Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. The system is built on the separation of power of the three branches of government- the legislative, executive and juridical branch, which act to check and balance one another.

The legislative branch of the Japanese parliament is called the Diet. It consists of the Houses of Representatives (500 members) and the House of Councilors (252 members). The Japanese people elect the members.

The executive branch of the cabinet consists of the ministers and is headed by the prime minister, who also appoints the ministers, who are usually members of the diet.

The prime minister is elected by the diet.

The judiciary branch, which is heavily determined by the British and American law, consists of the Supreme Court (highest court), district courts, high courts, family courts and summary courts. The cabinet appoints the Judges of the courts.

The Administration at the prefecture level is centered on the governor and assembly of each of the 47 prefectures. The governor and