5 Important Things We Can Learn From Japanese Business Etiquette

5 Things we can learn from Japanese work etiquette

Kanako Sugawara

04 Jun 2018

updated the 5 June 2018 à 16:47

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#1 Promptness is key
In Japan, there is the saying “Being ten minutes early is early, being five minutes early is being on-time, being on-time means that you’re late.” Whether it be important meetings, one-on-one consultations, or end-of-the-year office parties, Japanese people in the workforce always make it a point to be on time (read: five minutes early). Abiding by this saying will not only help with basic workplace scheduling, but also will mean having to suffer a lot less from everyday stress.
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#2 Yes, there is definitely a Japanese “office uniform”
It’s often joked that Japanese business people have a uniform even after they graduate high school. If you walk around the streets of Tokyo in the morning, chances are you’ll be greeted by a sea of black or navy suits! Although in Singapore it might not be necessary to be as strictly conservative as some Japanese businesswomen are, keeping in mind the importance of having clean, well-cut hair and keeping hemlines appropriate will definitely be beneficial in the long run!
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#3 Respect towards superiors (and making sure they know it!)
It would be quite strange to start bowing to your superiors in a Singaporean workplace, but it’s always important for you to make sure your boss knows that you respect them. Little things like brushing up on basic email etiquette and taking a business card with both hands could go a long way in terms of your boss having a good impression of you (and maybe for that promotion you’re going after as well!)
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#4 “Nominication”: Having fun with coworkers outside of the office
Many Japanese workplaces value dining and drinking after working hours, or nominication (a combination of nomu, the Japanese term for “drink”, and “communication”). Through nominication, which can even extend to karaoke parties and bar hopping events, everyone in the workplace is able to get to know each other from outside their cubicles. Make it a point to become friends with your coworkers and to go out once in a while. Who knows, maybe you can see a softer side to your stone-faced boss over a couple of pints!
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#5 Knowing when to speak and knowing when to stay quiet
Last but not least, one of the very few “pros” of having a such hierarchical work culture is that it’s quite difficult to forget your position within the company. If you’re the president, great! You can skip this one out. But if you’re just starting out in the workplace as a junior staff member, make sure you don’t overstep your boundaries during conferences and meetings within the workplace. There might be a time when you’re just itching to share that one great idea you have bubbling, but wait and assess the vibe of the meeting before opening your mouth. Your patience will pay off when your boss (who will find you likeable and respectful) finally asks you for your opinion.

Japanese business culture might be infamous for their strictness and meticulousness – but are there some important lessons we can learn from it?

We’ve all seen the photos of Japanese businessmen and women absolutely exhausted and conked out on train seats. After all, Japanese businesses are infamous for having strict, hierarchical work cultures that notoriously lead to karoushi, or death by overwork.

But are there some important takeaways we can get from this very unique business etiquette culture that cannot be found anywhere else? We’ve gathered 5 great aspects of Japanese workplace culture and etiquette that can be beneficial to our own working lives. Check them out above!

Kanako Sugawara

Photos: Getty Images

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