Managing in Japan
Monday, November 25, 2013
Bill has recently moved from the U.S. to Japan, and he's just completed his first day managing his new team in Tokyo.
Unfortunately, it didn't go very well.
The first mistake he made was trying to bond with his new people by making jokes. Not only did they not laugh at his attempts at humor, but they seemed to disapprove.
Then, instead of apologizing, Bill glossed over this faux pas, and started issuing orders. Some team members were older than Bill, and they were offended that he would tell them what to do so brazenly.
The day went downhill from there. At the end, Bill's boss invited him to dinner to honor his first day. But he was so dispirited that he politely turned him down, wanting to go home and rest. However, this also seemed to cause offense.
Japan has a wonderfully unique culture, which means that managing a team and doing business can be challenging if you're not prepared. In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of working in Japan. We'll look at the culture, the people, the work hours, and the etiquette. And we'll highlight the best approach to use when managing a Japanese team.
Note:
Keep in mind that this article is intended as a general guide only. Different groups can have different outlooks; and cultural expectations, especially between older and younger people, can vary. So, it's important to use your own best judgment, depending on the situation.
Employment Law and Work Hours
Employment protection is quite strong in Japan. For instance, employers must have a valid reason to fire an employee, and, in all but extreme cases, they must give 30 days' advance notice before terminating a person's employment. If they can't do this, then they must provide 30 days' pay.
Also, terminating people's employment is not allowed during an employee's hospitalization or maternity leave, or for 30 days afterward.
Japan has a wonderful culture.
You've probably heard that Japanese people work long hours, and this is right. The typical Japanese working week is 48 hours long, and is usually spread over five and a half days. Many people work even more than this, and overtime is typically not rewarded.
Holidays
There are many holidays and observances in Japan. Offices are closed on some days, and doing business can be difficult on others.
Some are also cultural holidays that, while they won't affect your work schedule, will have special significance to your Japanese co-workers.
Holidays in Japan include:
New Year's Holiday (December 25-January 3) – New Year's Day is probably the most important holiday in Japan. All government offices and companies are closed on New Year's Day, and most businesses close in the days before and after January 1.
Coming of Age (January 14 – second Monday of January) – this holiday is a celebration of all people who turned 20 in the previous 12 months.
National Foundation Day (February 11) – This is a national holiday, celebrating the day that the first Japanese emperor was crowned.
Spring Equinox Day (March 20) – on this national holiday, many people visit family graves and hold family reunions.
Golden Week Holidays (April 29 through May 6) – there are three holidays that occur during Golden Week, and most people take the entire week off. Conducting business and traveling can be very difficult during the Golden Week holiday.
Obon (August 13-15, although Tokyo celebrates on August 13-15.) – this festival celebrates deceased ancestors. Although Obon is not an official holiday, many businesses and organizations close during this time. This is another holiday where travel and doing business can be difficult.
Respect for the Aged Day (16 September – third Monday of September) – this national holiday celebrates Japan's elderly people.
Autumn Equinox Day (September 23) – as with the Spring Equinox, many people visit family graves and hold family reunions on this day.
Managing People
Most Japanese people have an exceptionally strong work ethic, and a high respect for authority. This doesn't mean, however, that you'll immediately gain their respect. You'll have to earn this as you progress in your role.
One of the most important things that you can do to earn the respect of your team, and your boss, is always to arrive on time (or, even better, early) at work. Punctuality is extremely important in Japan, and lateness is considered rude.
Be aware that your team will likely stay late on a regular basis. Make sure that you keep track of who stays late and who doesn't: your people will expect you to notice when they put in extra time (which will be often).
Japanese people generally value the work of the group above the contribution of any one individual. For instance, if someone on your team makes a mistake, the entire group will feel responsible for it. Likewise, when offering praise, include everyone on your team, instead of focusing on one individual. Singling out a single member of your team publicly can cause them embarrassment and discomfort, so try to avoid this.
When it comes to bonding with your new team, you must be cautious in your approach. For instance, in Western culture, you might forge friendships by making jokes, or by making light conversation. But this approach can easily embarrass your Japanese team, and this embarrassment will damage your relationship. In general, avoid humor and jokes when at work.
The concept of helping people to "save face" is also important in Japan. For instance, you might want feedback from your group. But if your team feels that their feedback could make you look weak, they'll likely hold back.
Always bear in mind that Japanese people value humility. If you make a mistake with your team, then apologize immediately – you'll earn their respect when you do so.
Socializing
Japanese people often mix business and socializing away from work. If you want to bond with your team, then go out with them at the end of the workday. This time away from the workplace will offer you some insight into their personalities, and allow them to speak a bit more freely with you.
Conversely, if your boss or another senior team member invites you out, don't turn the invitation down without good reason. This gives them the impression that you think they're not worth your time, and this can be very damaging to your relationship.
With that in mind, you're likely to be entertained often in Japan, especially by senior members of your organization. Your host will insist on treating you, so don't object. Business entertaining is often used to create bonds and build friendships, but it is common to talk about work and business during social occasions, too.
Etiquette
Etiquette is extremely important to Japanese culture. Even the subtlest gesture can have great meaning to the person that you're communicating with. So, understanding what constitutes good etiquette is vital before you begin working with your new team.
For instance:
Seating arrangements have great significance in Japan as they signify honor and place. Knowing where to sit in a meeting, a restaurant, or even a car can be confusing, especially if you don't speak the language well. The best advice is to let someone in your group guide you to your proper seat.
Business cards are very important because they help establish your credentials. If possible, one side of your business card should be printed in your native language, and the other in Japanese. When someone else gives you a business card, handle it carefully and with respect. Read the information, and then place the card in a business card case; never in your wallet or pocket.
Age is valued and respected. Always show respect to older people, including work colleagues and people that you manage.
Avoid crossing your legs when sitting. In Japan, crossing your legs in the presence of someone older or more respected than you can be considered rude.
Although Japanese people often greet foreign people with a gentle handshake, they might also bow, which is a traditional greeting. If your colleague greets you with a bow, then observe how low they go (as this indicates the status of your relationship). When you bow back, bow to the same depth as they did. Lower your eyes and keep your palms flat on your thighs.
Pointing can be considered impolite. Instead, use your entire hand to gesture.
People in Japan generally like to have personal space. Observe how much distance your Japanese colleagues give each other, and follow accordingly.
Avoid using the American hand gesture for "OK". This signals "money" in Japan.
The Japanese culture is more reserved than some other cultures. Keep gestures and facial expressions to a minimum. Smiling is respected, but keep in mind that your team members may use a smile to hide discomfort or embarrassment.
If you have time to learn Japanese before you go, then do so. Japan can be a difficult country to get by in if you don't speak or read the language. Even a basic understanding will help.
Japanese people value self-control. So keep your facial expressions to a minimum whenever you're in a business setting. Showing emotion, especially anger or frustration, will lose you respect. It may also lead your colleagues to question their business relationships with you.
Gift giving is very common in Japan. Never turn down a gift, as you're likely to offend the giver. Business gifts are always given at midyear (around July 15) and on New Year's Day (January 1). People also often give gifts during a first business meeting.
Being invited to someone's home is considered a great honor. Never turn down the invitation without good reason, and always bring a gift, such as flowers or candy. (However, don't ever give "four" of anything, such as four flowers or four cakes. Four is an inauspicious number in Japan!)
Business dress is usually quite conservative, and you should avoid excessive makeup, perfume or jewelry. (This will of course depend on the organization, and on the area that you're working in.)
Note:
Due to the recent earthquake and tsunami, it's best to check which areas of Japan are safe to travel to before you make your trip. You may be able to get up-to-date advice from your country's embassy in Japan (click here for the US Embassy website , and here for the British Embassy website ).
Key Points
Working and managing in Japan is very different from working in many other countries. You'll have much more success if you learn about the culture, and the etiquette.
Make sure that you always praise or critique your team as a whole, as singling out one person can cause embarrassment. And, don't count on easy feedback from your team; their top priority will likely be protecting your reputation.
Learn as much as you can about the country before you go. Making the wrong gesture, or saying the wrong thing, could potentially damage relationships.
Remember, however, that Japanese people value humility. So apologize when you make a mistake, and be open and honest if you're not sure how to act in certain situations.
Tags:
Skills, Team Management
Unfortunately, it didn't go very well.
The first mistake he made was trying to bond with his new people by making jokes. Not only did they not laugh at his attempts at humor, but they seemed to disapprove.
Then, instead of apologizing, Bill glossed over this faux pas, and started issuing orders. Some team members were older than Bill, and they were offended that he would tell them what to do so brazenly.
The day went downhill from there. At the end, Bill's boss invited him to dinner to honor his first day. But he was so dispirited that he politely turned him down, wanting to go home and rest. However, this also seemed to cause offense.
Japan has a wonderfully unique culture, which means that managing a team and doing business can be challenging if you're not prepared. In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of working in Japan. We'll look at the culture, the people, the work hours, and the etiquette. And we'll highlight the best approach to use when managing a Japanese team.
Note:
Keep in mind that this article is intended as a general guide only. Different groups can have different outlooks; and cultural expectations, especially between older and younger people, can vary. So, it's important to use your own best judgment, depending on the situation.
Employment Law and Work Hours
Employment protection is quite strong in Japan. For instance, employers must have a valid reason to fire an employee, and, in all but extreme cases, they must give 30 days' advance notice before terminating a person's employment. If they can't do this, then they must provide 30 days' pay.
Also, terminating people's employment is not allowed during an employee's hospitalization or maternity leave, or for 30 days afterward.
Japan has a wonderful culture.
You've probably heard that Japanese people work long hours, and this is right. The typical Japanese working week is 48 hours long, and is usually spread over five and a half days. Many people work even more than this, and overtime is typically not rewarded.
Holidays
There are many holidays and observances in Japan. Offices are closed on some days, and doing business can be difficult on others.
Some are also cultural holidays that, while they won't affect your work schedule, will have special significance to your Japanese co-workers.
Holidays in Japan include:
New Year's Holiday (December 25-January 3) – New Year's Day is probably the most important holiday in Japan. All government offices and companies are closed on New Year's Day, and most businesses close in the days before and after January 1.
Coming of Age (January 14 – second Monday of January) – this holiday is a celebration of all people who turned 20 in the previous 12 months.
National Foundation Day (February 11) – This is a national holiday, celebrating the day that the first Japanese emperor was crowned.
Spring Equinox Day (March 20) – on this national holiday, many people visit family graves and hold family reunions.
Golden Week Holidays (April 29 through May 6) – there are three holidays that occur during Golden Week, and most people take the entire week off. Conducting business and traveling can be very difficult during the Golden Week holiday.
Obon (August 13-15, although Tokyo celebrates on August 13-15.) – this festival celebrates deceased ancestors. Although Obon is not an official holiday, many businesses and organizations close during this time. This is another holiday where travel and doing business can be difficult.
Respect for the Aged Day (16 September – third Monday of September) – this national holiday celebrates Japan's elderly people.
Autumn Equinox Day (September 23) – as with the Spring Equinox, many people visit family graves and hold family reunions on this day.
Managing People
Most Japanese people have an exceptionally strong work ethic, and a high respect for authority. This doesn't mean, however, that you'll immediately gain their respect. You'll have to earn this as you progress in your role.
One of the most important things that you can do to earn the respect of your team, and your boss, is always to arrive on time (or, even better, early) at work. Punctuality is extremely important in Japan, and lateness is considered rude.
Be aware that your team will likely stay late on a regular basis. Make sure that you keep track of who stays late and who doesn't: your people will expect you to notice when they put in extra time (which will be often).
Japanese people generally value the work of the group above the contribution of any one individual. For instance, if someone on your team makes a mistake, the entire group will feel responsible for it. Likewise, when offering praise, include everyone on your team, instead of focusing on one individual. Singling out a single member of your team publicly can cause them embarrassment and discomfort, so try to avoid this.
When it comes to bonding with your new team, you must be cautious in your approach. For instance, in Western culture, you might forge friendships by making jokes, or by making light conversation. But this approach can easily embarrass your Japanese team, and this embarrassment will damage your relationship. In general, avoid humor and jokes when at work.
The concept of helping people to "save face" is also important in Japan. For instance, you might want feedback from your group. But if your team feels that their feedback could make you look weak, they'll likely hold back.
Always bear in mind that Japanese people value humility. If you make a mistake with your team, then apologize immediately – you'll earn their respect when you do so.
Socializing
Japanese people often mix business and socializing away from work. If you want to bond with your team, then go out with them at the end of the workday. This time away from the workplace will offer you some insight into their personalities, and allow them to speak a bit more freely with you.
Conversely, if your boss or another senior team member invites you out, don't turn the invitation down without good reason. This gives them the impression that you think they're not worth your time, and this can be very damaging to your relationship.
With that in mind, you're likely to be entertained often in Japan, especially by senior members of your organization. Your host will insist on treating you, so don't object. Business entertaining is often used to create bonds and build friendships, but it is common to talk about work and business during social occasions, too.
Etiquette
Etiquette is extremely important to Japanese culture. Even the subtlest gesture can have great meaning to the person that you're communicating with. So, understanding what constitutes good etiquette is vital before you begin working with your new team.
For instance:
Seating arrangements have great significance in Japan as they signify honor and place. Knowing where to sit in a meeting, a restaurant, or even a car can be confusing, especially if you don't speak the language well. The best advice is to let someone in your group guide you to your proper seat.
Business cards are very important because they help establish your credentials. If possible, one side of your business card should be printed in your native language, and the other in Japanese. When someone else gives you a business card, handle it carefully and with respect. Read the information, and then place the card in a business card case; never in your wallet or pocket.
Age is valued and respected. Always show respect to older people, including work colleagues and people that you manage.
Avoid crossing your legs when sitting. In Japan, crossing your legs in the presence of someone older or more respected than you can be considered rude.
Although Japanese people often greet foreign people with a gentle handshake, they might also bow, which is a traditional greeting. If your colleague greets you with a bow, then observe how low they go (as this indicates the status of your relationship). When you bow back, bow to the same depth as they did. Lower your eyes and keep your palms flat on your thighs.
Pointing can be considered impolite. Instead, use your entire hand to gesture.
People in Japan generally like to have personal space. Observe how much distance your Japanese colleagues give each other, and follow accordingly.
Avoid using the American hand gesture for "OK". This signals "money" in Japan.
The Japanese culture is more reserved than some other cultures. Keep gestures and facial expressions to a minimum. Smiling is respected, but keep in mind that your team members may use a smile to hide discomfort or embarrassment.
If you have time to learn Japanese before you go, then do so. Japan can be a difficult country to get by in if you don't speak or read the language. Even a basic understanding will help.
Japanese people value self-control. So keep your facial expressions to a minimum whenever you're in a business setting. Showing emotion, especially anger or frustration, will lose you respect. It may also lead your colleagues to question their business relationships with you.
Gift giving is very common in Japan. Never turn down a gift, as you're likely to offend the giver. Business gifts are always given at midyear (around July 15) and on New Year's Day (January 1). People also often give gifts during a first business meeting.
Being invited to someone's home is considered a great honor. Never turn down the invitation without good reason, and always bring a gift, such as flowers or candy. (However, don't ever give "four" of anything, such as four flowers or four cakes. Four is an inauspicious number in Japan!)
Business dress is usually quite conservative, and you should avoid excessive makeup, perfume or jewelry. (This will of course depend on the organization, and on the area that you're working in.)
Note:
Due to the recent earthquake and tsunami, it's best to check which areas of Japan are safe to travel to before you make your trip. You may be able to get up-to-date advice from your country's embassy in Japan (click here for the US Embassy website , and here for the British Embassy website ).
Key Points
Working and managing in Japan is very different from working in many other countries. You'll have much more success if you learn about the culture, and the etiquette.
Make sure that you always praise or critique your team as a whole, as singling out one person can cause embarrassment. And, don't count on easy feedback from your team; their top priority will likely be protecting your reputation.
Learn as much as you can about the country before you go. Making the wrong gesture, or saying the wrong thing, could potentially damage relationships.
Remember, however, that Japanese people value humility. So apologize when you make a mistake, and be open and honest if you're not sure how to act in certain situations.
