Unhoop Philippines is a Japanese company based in the cities of Makati and Bacolod operating for 15 years. Although our clients are based in Japan, most of the company’s manpower works locally. However, you'll also find Japanese staff in the office.
If you are planning to work for a Japanese company, it is essential to understand their work culture and etiquette to ensure successful work relationships. Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Greet with a smile. When doing business in Japan, people separate their honne or “true feelings” and their tatemae or “facade.” During business discussions, it is common for the Japanese to smile even if they are not interested in the topic. This is usually interpreted as showing respect and creating a pleasant working environment rather than trying hard to please others. This technique also helps to maintain a good public image.
2. Punctuality. Punctuality is not just about being on time, but also arriving earlier than the agreed time. This principle applies to both personal and work events. When participating in any activity, always be on time or arrive earlier than the schedule, as it gives an impression that you are respecting and showing value to the people you are meeting with. In contrast, being late reflects that you are unreliable and disrespectful of other people’s time. Whether having personal or business meetings, being punctual will give you a good start in building good relationships with the Japanese. Remember that first impression lasts, so avoid being late. Hopefully, you can apply this principle to anyone you are about to meet.
3. Bowing as a greeting. Unlike in Western countries, handshaking is not a common practice in Japan. Instead, people bow to acknowledge someone’s presence and show respect. This is also a form of apologizing, expressing gratitude, and recognizing hierarchical social statuses among people.
4. Know the honorifics. While many Japanese honorifics can be used when addressing Japanese colleagues, adding "-san" after their names is the most versatile. This honorific is gender-neutral and flexible, as it can be used to address Japanese people of all ages and positions. So when you’re unsure how to call them properly, your best bet is to use “-san”!
5. Consensus over majority. In Japanese culture, the harmony of the group is prioritized over the benefit of one’s self. Consensus needs to be attained when making decisions. This means everyone must be agreeable to one decision, supporting the option chosen by the majority of the group. Although this takes time as a group needs to be convinced, this usually results in better decisions from the Japanese viewpoint. When every member agrees to one decision, putting the idea into action will be easier.