JapAn

Harmony between Tradition and Modernity

Irina Ana Lechinan

Contents
1. History and culture
2. Communication and business
etiquette
3. Particularities and superstitions

1. History and Culture

History
Prehistory Jomon (10.000 B.C. 300
B.C.)
Medieval period The Samurai Era
Asuka, Nara, Heian (550 1185)
Imperial Reign - Meiji Era ( 1868 - 1912)
Modern Japan(1989 present)

Culture
1860 - end of the isolation imposed by
the government
- dichotomy tradition-modernity

Manners and behavior

The importance of harmony
obtained by submission and
consensus determines:
- the masking of personal worries
behind a public smile
- the individuals duty of submitting to the
group
People:

The smile
Masking worries or a
communicational strategy?

James Clavell - Shogun

For the life of him, Blackthorne could
not understand how everyone could
remain so polite and patient, always
bowing [], always smiling and no sign of
irritation whatsoever on either side.
They're so different from us.

2. Communication and
Business Etiquette

1. Name and title

- order: name, surname (Suzuki Ichigo)
- formally, one is addressed by their
family name
- the name will usually be followed by a
title
- the most common titles are: -san, -sama,

2. Forms of greeting - Bowing

- shanking hands is uncommon, but
exceptions
are made for foreigners
- Japanese great each other by bowing
- the depth and length of the bow vary
according to the
social status of your
interlocutor
- eye contact is to be avoided

3. Preparing for a meeting

Attire
- formal, classic or even severe
- for women, a slightly masculine
appearance is recommended
Gifts received
- not to be opened immediately
- will be unwrapped carefully
Gifts - offered

4. Starting the meeting- Business

cards
Handing the business card
- acompanied by a bow
- offered with the right hand, or both
hands
Receiving the business card
- acompanied by a bow
- received with the right hand, or both

4. Starting the meeting- Sitting

arrangements
Distribution of seats
- hierarchy is crucial
- highest ranking person - head of table
- other participants will be seated at
various distances from the superior,
according to their status
- guests will be directed by the host to

4. Starting the meeting- Sitting

arrangements
Seat distribution Depending on the room
type , the following situations may occur
too:

4. During the meeting

- guest should stand until invited to
take a seat
- if drinks are offered, they may want
to wait
until the leader drinks first
- participants wait for the leader to
sit down
or stand up and follow

5. After the meeting Social

interaction
- The Japanese partner may address an
invitation
to dinner. It might be sincere or just a
polite formality.
- Generally, the person launching the
initiative is
the one to pay, especially in case of a
guest. Still,

5. After the meeting At the

restaurant
- traditional restaurants usually only offer
chopsticks, using them properly is
recommended
- customarily, people seated together
pour each
other drinks

3. Superstitions

 The number 4
- considered inauspicious , its
pronounced the same as the word
for death, shi
-therefore, one should not make
presents consisting of four items
-In some hotels and hospitals the
floor number four is missing
entirely

 The first dream of a new year

will come true.
Maneki Neko The beckoning
cat.
The legend says that a poor
shopkeeper takes in a starving,
stray cat despite barely
having enough to feed himself.
In gratitude, the cat takes up a
station outside the establishment

Thank you!

References:
Bornoff N., Japan,
Washington, D.C., ed. National
Geographic, 2011.
http://

www.japan-guide.com/e/e2195.html

Toshiya E., Japan, Tokyo,

Point-And-Speak, 2000.