As an archipelago that is stratovolcanic, Japan consists of 6,852 islands. This unique attribute makes Japan quite an interesting country. It is located in the Pacific Ocean, off the Asian mainland and stretches to the East China Sea from the Sea of Okhotsk. Among its various islands are four major ones; Kyushu, Shikoku, Hokkaido, and Honshu. These islands alone make up close to ninety-seven percent of the total land mass under Japan’s sovereign rule. Often, these four islands have gained the reference of being the home islands of Japan. The whole country is divided into prefectures that total forty-seven and span in eight regions of the country. The Hokkaido prefecture is the northernmost while Okinawa is the southernmost. The country’s population of 127 million is presently the eleventh largest in the world. Moreover, people of Japanese ethnic descent make up 98.5% of the total population and approximately 9.1 million live in the city of Tokyo alone, which is the capital of the country. This paper highlights Japanese culture in relation to business transactions. Moreover, it expounds on Japanese etiquette and their influence on business transactions.
Regarding religion, the country largely observes Buddhism and Shinto. The practice of the Shinto religion is inherently as old as the culture of Japan itself. However, Buddhism came to the country as an imported religion from the Asian mainland during the 6th century. Since the inception of these two religions in Japan, religious coexistence has always been the core of Japanese practice. At present, these religions exist harmoniously, and to a certain degree, most people from Japan would concur with the assertion that they both complement each other. Therefore, a good number of Japanese citizens typically consider themselves Shintoist, Buddhist or both (Thomas, 2013). Although these religions are present and prevalent in Japan, they do not play a central role in the lives of most Japanese citizens. On average, people follow rituals that are religious in nature, in particular, ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and occasions of birth. Other religions in Japan include Confucianism, Christianity and basic aspects of Islam. On a historical perspective, Japan’s existence has transcended eons of time to the upper Paleolithic period, which broadly dates between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago, before the dawn of agriculture. This shows Japan’s immense and intricate history.
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Culture is an intricate part of Japanese way of life. Over the millennia, Japanese culture has advanced significantly from its pre-historic times of the Jomon period to contemporary culture, which integrates persuasions from Europe, Asia, North America and other regions of the world. Moreover, intense influences from the Chinese culture are still pertinent in the traditional culture of the people of Japan. Similar to most Asian family systems, the Japanese way of life represents an extended family system that includes far-away relatives and even the dead. In earliest times, China’s influence on the family culture of Japan has been evident for quite a long time. Among the pertinent practices within the Japanese culture, which is also apparent in Chinese tradition include ancestor worship; the prevalence of warrior class families and noble families; among others. Aside from family, Japan has an abundance of impressive cuisine and celebrations. The Oshogatsu or New Year is relatively the most significant holiday on the Japanese calendar. During this time, shops and other business premises are normally closed from December 28 to January 3, making the streets quiet except shrines and temples where the faithful congregate to conduct kadomatsu, which are the initial temple visits of the year. Other festivals and celebrations include the Hina Matsuri or girl’s day, the cherry blossom festival, and the O-Tsukimi festival which is a harvest moon festival that evolved from the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival over two years ago.
In relation to business, the Japanese have an impeccable work ethic that is backed up with well-thought virtues and etiquettes (Wolf, 2013). In Tokyo for example, it is normal to find employees working for more than twelve hours a day, instead of the known 8-hour a day work that most workers the world over observe. The motivation for such work ethic is normally incentivized in companies that offer an overtime contract with hefty allowances. Living in a largely patriarchal society, Japanese women have had to face immense challenges in conducting businesses. In addition, most Japanese men do not have good relationships with women in authority owing to societal conditioning and upbringing. However, presently, the international trend of championing for women’s rights has brought about a shift in societal stereotypes resulting in more women participation in business. In Japan, women are playing bigger roles in the transaction of business. Etiquette is pivotal and results in the formation of healthy relationships. Core to Japanese work ethic is the observance of time and punctuality. The value of time is understood as an entity that propels the society once observed properly (Hashimoto, 2008).
In Japan, protocols of greetings are definitive and involve the use of varied ranges of bowing. A bow may involve the small nodding of the head or a complete deep bend of the waist. Deeper bows signify respect whereas smaller nods of the head indicate informal or casual greetings. Bowing is used in various forms to apologize, thank, ask for a favor or to make a formal or an informal request. Although Japan is highly traditional, business dress codes are often official reflecting a westernized culture. In conclusion, subtle gestures usually make a difference while conducting business. These gestures include being punctual, paying strict attention to hierarchy, learning about gifting rituals among others. In addition, a businessperson should refrain from challenging seniors, expressing negativity outwardly, declining invitations to socialize among others.
References
Hashimoto, T. (2008). Japanese Clocks and the History of Punctuality in Modern Japan. East Asian Science, Technology And Society: An International Journal , 2 , 123.
Thomas, J. (2013). The Concept of Religion in Modern Japan: Imposition, Invention, or Innovation?. Religious Studies In Japan , 2 , 3-21.
Wolf, R. (2013). MANAGEMENT RELATIONS IN THE WORK CULTURE IN JAPAN AS COMPARED TO THAT OF THE WEST. Innovative Journal Of Business And Management , 2 (5), 116 - 122.
