Japanese Business Etiquette: Essential Guide to Japanese Business Manners

So you're heading to Japan for business meetings and you're wondering what you've gotten yourself into. Good news: Japanese business etiquette follows clear patterns once you understand the underlying principles. I've seen way too many well-meaning professionals stumble through their first meeting in Japan because they relied on generic advice or outdated stereotypes. Let me walk you through the essential customs and the Japanese you need to learn that'll help you navigate Japanese business culture without looking like a total rookie.

The sacred art of meishi: Business card exchange

Let's start with the big one: meishi (), your business card. In Japanese business, your business card represents you as a professional. This isn't me being dramatic, this is genuinely how Japanese society views it.

Here's what most guides don't emphasize enough:

During a business meeting, keep the cards you've received on the table in front of you, arranged in the order people are sitting. This helps you remember names and shows you value the connection. Never, and I mean never, shove a business card in your back pocket, write on it in front of someone, or treat it casually. I watched a colleague do this once at a first meeting with a Japanese company. The temperature in the room dropped noticeably.

Get your cards printed with English on one side and Japanese on the other. Make sure the Japanese side has your information accurately translated, including your proper title. Cheap translation here will hurt you.

Bowing in Japanese business etiquette: Yes, you need to do it

Ojigi (), or bowing, is how you greet people in Japanese business. Handshakes are becoming more common, especially with international companies, but bowing remains the standard.

The depth of your bow matters.

Your hands should stay at your sides or clasped in front (For women). Keep your back straight, bend from the waist, and pause briefly at the lowest point before coming back up. Don't bow while walking or talking; that looks sloppy.

If someone offers a handshake, go with it. You might end up doing both, a bow and a handshake, which feels awkward at first but becomes natural. Just follow their lead.

Hierarchy and seating: Know your place

Japanese business culture runs on seniority (, nenkou joretsu) and clear hierarchical structures. This affects everything from who speaks first to where you sit.

In meeting rooms, there's a concept called kamiza () and shimoza (). Kamiza is the seat of honor, usually furthest from the door or with the best view. The highest-ranking person from the guest company sits here. Shimoza, closest to the door, is where the lowest-ranking person sits (Often the one who'll jump up to open doors or fetch things).

Wait to be told where to sit. Seriously, just wait. Your Japanese hosts will guide you. If you're hosting, seat your guests in kamiza and make sure your most senior person sits opposite their most senior person.

During discussions, junior staff don't typically speak up unless asked directly. If you're leading a team, brief them beforehand about who should speak when. I've been in meetings where an eager junior team member interrupted, and you could feel everyone tense up.

Keigo and communication: The indirect approach

Keigo () is the system of honorific language in Japanese. Even if you don't speak Japanese fluently, understanding that it exists helps you grasp Japanese business communication style.

Japanese business communication tends toward indirectness and politeness (, teineisa). Direct "no" answers are rare. Instead, you'll hear "That might be difficult" or "We'll consider it carefully." Learn to read between the lines.

When you're in a business meeting, silence is normal and valuable. Japanese businesspeople use pauses to think and show respect for what was just said. Don't rush to fill every gap in conversation. That awkward silence you're feeling? Your Japanese counterpart probably thinks it's perfectly comfortable.

If you're working with interpreters, speak in short, clear sentences. Pause regularly. Look at the person you're speaking to, not the interpreter. And here's something most people miss: the interpretation takes time, so meetings will run longer than you expect. Plan accordingly.

Punctuality: Be early or be rude

Jikan wo mamoru (), literally "protecting time," is huge in Japanese business. Punctuality (, jikan genshu) means arriving 5-10 minutes early, not "on time" as you might define it.

The so-called "5 minute rule" in Japan is simple: if you're going to be even 5 minutes late, call ahead and apologize. Being late to a business meeting without notice is a serious breach of etiquette. It signals that you don't respect the other person's time or the business relationship.

I know someone who showed up 3 minutes late to a first meeting with a Japanese company because of train delays. Even though it was beyond his control, he apologized profusely, and the Japanese team appreciated the acknowledgment. They'd actually been worried something serious had happened.

Build buffer time into your schedule. Tokyo trains are reliable, but stations are massive and confusing. Give yourself extra time.

Dress code: Conservative wins

Business suits (ビジネススーツ, bijinesu suutsu) are standard. Men should wear dark suits (Navy or charcoal), white shirts, and conservative ties. Women should wear dark suits or professional dresses, minimal jewelry, and closed-toe shoes.

Japanese business culture values conformity in appearance. This isn't the place to express your personal style. Save the bold tie or statement necklace for after-work dinners once you've built a relationship.

Keep accessories minimal. Flashy watches or jewelry can come across as showing off. Clean, polished shoes matter more than you'd think. Yes, people notice.

Meeting protocols: Structure and respect

A typical business meeting in Japan follows a predictable structure, which honestly makes them easier once you know the pattern.

Dining and entertainment: Where deals actually happen

Business relationships in Japan get built over meals and drinks. If you're invited to dinner or drinks, go. This is where you move from "business contact" to "trusted partner."

At restaurants, wait to be seated and follow your host's lead on ordering. If you have dietary restrictions, mention them politely in advance. Don't make a fuss at the table.

Kanpai () means "cheers." Wait for the toast before drinking. Pour drinks for others, and let them pour for you.

You might end up at a nomikai (), a drinking party. These get more casual than business meetings, but you're still being evaluated. Drink moderately, stay engaged, and don't get sloppy.

Karaoke might happen. Just go with it. You don't need to be good, you need to participate and show you're comfortable with the team.

Gift-giving: Small gestures, big impact

Omiyage (), gifts, play a role in Japanese business. Bring a small gift from your home country or region to your first meeting. Nothing expensive, something thoughtful that represents where you're from.

Present gifts with both hands. Wrap them nicely (Or buy them pre-wrapped). The presentation matters as much as the gift itself. Your Japanese counterpart will likely set the gift aside and open it later, not in front of you. This is normal.

If you receive a gift, accept it with both hands and thank them sincerely. You don't need to open it immediately.

Seasonal gifts, especially ochugen () in summer and oseibo () in winter, are common between business partners. If you're building a long-term relationship with a Japanese company, participating in this custom strengthens the bond.

Do’s and Don’ts: Quick reference

Let me give you a practical rundown of essential do's and don'ts when doing business in Japan:

Do:

Don't:

Understanding the bigger picture of etiquette in Japan

Japanese business etiquette reflects deeper values in Japanese society: respect for hierarchy, group harmony over individual glory, and long-term relationships over short-term gains.

When you follow these customs, you're showing that you respect Japanese business culture enough to adapt. That respect gets reciprocated. I've watched business deals happen because someone took the time to learn proper card exchange, and I've seen opportunities disappear because someone treated a business meeting too casually.

Anyway, if you're serious about doing business in Japan, you'll probably want to learn at least some Japanese. Migaku's browser extension and app let you learn from real content like Japanese news sites or business articles, picking up professional vocabulary in context. Way more useful than generic textbook phrases. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.

Working in Japanese business culture in 2026

Japanese business culture is evolving. More companies, especially in tech sectors, are adopting hybrid work models and relaxing some traditional formalities. Younger Japanese professionals who've worked internationally might be more flexible about certain customs. If you're interested in more details, you can watch through office dramas like or .

Investing time in understanding these customs pays real dividends.