Global Cultural Analysis: Japan

The cultural behaviors of the “American” or “Japanese” in the video do not accurately reflect business behaviors in these countries so please do not generalize based on the video. The video is meant as a classroom exercise to analyze a specific cultural encounter. Total 20 points.

A variety of key cultural differences shape the behaviors and attitudes within both the United States and Japan. Key cultural differences as defined by the Hofstede model, such an individualistic society versus a collective society, short term orientation versus long term orientation, as well as direct communication style versus indirect communication style. This paper will focus on the key cultural difference within business communication styles of both. Then, it will conclude with analyzing any adjustments that would need to be made in order to conduct business in Japan.

This report was started to examine the cultural profile Japan and provide suggestions and recommendations to adapt the market strategy with respect to the

Culture is defined in different ways throughout the region of the world, with different characteristics that define culture. In this paper I will define the meaning of Japan’s culture and describe Japan’s common culture characteristics throughout their nation’s physical geography, military conflict history, and weather analysis. Culture is by the beliefs, customs, arts, a particular society, group, place or time such as music, theater, painting, their habits, and traditions. Like ways of life for their way of thinking, behaving, or working.

Japan is a striving cultural and rich country. Japan shares its culture with the country and the world with its many festivals and there are a lot of festivals. Festivals are held almost every day in Japan. These festivals have lasted for centuries and continue their same traditions that have lasted just as long. The country shares many social traits with American but is different in many other ways. Japan and the United States both have incomparable different social greetings along with different common name usage but are comparable in education importance in society.

Shinichi Hirokawa Argosy University Tsai-Ling Wu Argosy University Japan, as the world’s third largest economy, continues to be attractive to international exporters and investors. It is our argument that the forces of change that led originally to new and bigger opportunities remain the same, despite surface differences. This paper explores some of the key issues related to entering this market. It provides an examination of effective marketing strategies and how the marketing knowledge can be used to enter and succeed in Japan. It outlines six specific marketing

In the world today, we are exposed to many different cultures; America is a great example of this. It is a giant melting pot full of many unique people who bring their cultures from around the world. Thanks to them, we have little parts of towns that are chock full of their culture, like China Town and Little Italy. We also have them to thank for all the different types of food and styles of cooking that they have brought over. But what about the cultures of other countries, have Americans influenced their culture like they did to ours? One country that really interested me in answering this question was in Japan. Japan is packed full of culture from their old traditions of their new futuristic culture and has Americans have any part in their pop culture transformation?

When most people think about Japan they come up with two opposing images. One image reflects the busy day life of this island; filled with salary man and companies. While the second image features an explosion of colorful LED lights and clubs that are common within the nightlife. Today in present day, Japan has evolved and flourished to become one of the top growing economies and industries in the world. Making Japan a prime and excellent area for jobs to prosper. One of these modern jobs that have flourished is the Hostess lifestyle. Known in modern society as the elegant young women who entertain men, this lifestyle can be traced to many other types of jobs residing in Japan. While a subtler job career opposing the hostess lifestyle are

Japan, the land of the rising sun, is the world’s fifth-largest economy by purchasing power parity and the fifth-largest exporter and importer in the world. Japan’s main export and import is in industry manufacturing, machinery and equipment. It’s very important to understand how to do business correctly with the Japanese. According to Hofstede, Japan is a high power distance, collective, masculine, high uncertainty avoidance, long term orientation and high context culture.

Understanding culture plays a crucial role in maintaining and forming international relations. It serves as a political backbone in peace and fosters agreements among nations previously foreign to one another. Culture provides an outlet for individuals to witness the variety of people on the planet we share. To gain knowledge and appreciation for a culture other than my own, I have chosen one far from what I am accustomed to, the Japanese culture from the island of Japan.

Japanese culture is a blend of modern western culture and traditional Asian culture (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, n.d.) And great value is placed on the need for harmony, consensus decision-making and social conformity and especially close co-operation between government and private enterprise, this emphasis on consensus will need to be taken into account in business negotiations (Griffin & Pustay, 2015, p. 61) Positive market aspects are Japan’s high! Education levels, with universal elementary education and literacy (Abe, 2013; Institute of Export, 2015). However, problem workforce skill levels should the need arise to employ local labour with 83% of employers having problems filling vacancies; these positions include sales representative, engineers and IT staff (Manpower Group, 2015). This may require sourcing staff from Australia. Should this be the case it will be necessary to apply for a certificate of eligibility and a visa for periods of 3 months, up to 5 years, processing for this usually takes 3 months (Embassy of Japan in Australia, 2014).

Japan is an East Asian Island country with a specific cultural identity. Samurai values, kimono clothing, Noh Theater, woodblock art, and sumo wrestling are among the many instantly identifiable aspects of Japan’s culture. Many of Japan’s cultures have developed through centuries of feudal rule and has benefited from the country’s geographic isolation.

Before everyone takes a seat, it is an essential part of Japanese business etiquette to exchange business cards. In Japan, business cards are called ‘meishi’. They are considered not only as serious tools for establishing business contacts, but also as identification of the individual and the company he/she represents. Business cards should be printed with one side in Japanese and one side in the language of the individual’s home country. It is in ones best interest to offer their business card with both hands as this denotes greater respect. Unlike many Western countries where it is acceptable to ‘pocket’ a business card upon receipt, it is considered extremely rude and disrespectful in Japan. In comparison it is expected for the recipient to review and memorize the details printed on the card and then carefully place it in a card holder or pocketbook. As Japanese business meetings are conducted formally, it is unacceptable for members to dress casually. Acceptable attire for men includes conservative suits in a dark color. Women are also expected to dress conservatively and should avoid wearing trousers as Japanese men may take it offensively. In

Tiffany and Co. (Tiffany) is a jewelry company founded in New York City in the 1800s. Over the past two hundred years, this company has grown from a small stationary goods store to a multinational corporation with over $4.031 billion in sales. In 1970, Tiffany and Company expanded into the Asian market. According to the most recent shareholder report, sales in Japan make up 14% of world wide net sales. In order reach this point, the executives at Tiffany and Co. must have studied Japanese culture in an effort to not offend their future business partners. Since there are great cultural and etiquette differences, the deal could have failed quite quickly if the hosts felt disrespected. This report examines the background of Tiffany and Co., the cultural differences between the United States and Japan, as well as Japanese culture and management styles.

Due to its unique history, Japan has many customs and beliefs that differ from the rest of the world. The Japanese are known to be very prideful yet, humble individuals. Many of the Japan’s traditions are very distinct and serve to represent the country. Japanese culture is meant to depict respect for both themselves and other people.