When seated, place the card on the table during the meeting

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Japan. There are specific practices relating to business cards which you should observe. It is advisable to have double sided business cards printed with one side being printed in Japanese.

When presenting your card, you should hold the two corners closest to you with both hands and with the Japanese- language side facing the person you are passing the card too. Never push your card across a table. You should always get up and walk over to the person you wish to present the card to.


When receiving a card, thank the person presenting it, accept it with both hands, read it and greece mobile database then place it in your business card holder, if you are standing.

and then put it in your business card holder. Never write on a business card or fiddle with it during a meeting as this would be disrespectful.


Gift exchanges
Gift exchange
The exchange of gifts is a significant tradition in Japanese business. It is customary to exchange gifts at the first meeting but be careful to choose something appropriate. Avoid lilies, lotus blossoms and any white flowers as these are used for funerals.


Potted plants are associated with certain negative superstitions. Sets of four of anything can be viewed as unlucky. The number nine is also thought to be unlucky.



Meetings
It is best to have an agenda for a meeting established in advanced and translated into Japanese. Always take a company profile and any product brochures that you have with you when you meet executives for the first time.


On entering the meeting room, wait to be seated as there are customs regarding where each person sits based on their position in the company. The Japanese tend to take plenty of notes during meetings as this is seen as good business etiquette. This note taking indicates greater interest in what the other party is saying.


Less is certainly more in business meetings. Don’t speak too loudly when pitching and allow time for questions which can be incredibly detailed in nature. Silence can be golden and is certainly valued over excessive talking. Silence is thought to be indicative of wisdom and self-control.