Why are business cards important in Japan?
Japanese Meishi (or Japanese business cards) have a much greater significance in Japan than in Western culture. They show potential partners that you are serious, and that you understand and respect their culture.
Are business cards still relevant in Japan?
Japan is, at its core, a country of rituals, respect, and etiquette. Whenever Japanese people meet for the first time, particularly in a business setting, they present business cards in a custom known as meishi koukan (名刺交換). Smartphones have all but made business cards obsolete for millennials.
How should you present your business card in Japan?
Present Your Card with a Bow and Introduce Yourself Offer your business card with your right hand, and hold it by the top corner, so as not to cover any names or logos. Your cardholder should be held in your left hand. Remember to bow, and remember to use the traditional Japanese phrases when introducing yourself.
What is business card in Japan?
Meishi (“名刺”), is the Japanese business cards that are exchanged as part of a self-introduction or handed for professional rituals in Japanese business.
What are Japanese business cards called?
meishi
A Japanese business card is called a meishi (名刺). It typically features the company name at the top in the largest print, followed by the job title and then the name of the individual.
What are business cards used for?
The business card represents your company’s brand. Not only does it convey important personal contact information such as name, title, email, website, address and phone number, but oftentimes it is also the first exposure to the overall image of the business.
How do you handle business cards?
Hand the business card facing the person receiving it. Never write on the card of another person unless so directed. Business cards are exchanged at the start or end of the meeting. Don’t ask for business cards in front of a group of people; do this privately.
How do you respect Japanese culture?
In Japan, people greet each other by bowing. A bow can ranges from a small nod of the head to a deep bend at the waist. A deeper, longer bow indicates respect and conversely a small nod with the head is casual and informal.
What should I know about Japanese business cards?
There are many unwritten laws regarding etiquette and manners that apply to Japanese business cards. Although no one can expect a foreigner to know and/or abide by all of these strict codes of conduct, knowing a few of the basics will help go a long way toward smoothing the path to success in Japan.
What do you need to know about Japanese business culture?
Just as we have it in the west and other parts of the world, the Japanese business culture also recognizes hierarchy in its sitting arrangements. It’s also worth mentioning that the Japanese place much importance on sitting in order of high-ranking or more experienced individuals to low ranking employees.
Why is it hard to do business in Japan?
Doing business with a Japanese client has always been misunderstood to be too hard because of the Japanese business culture. People often foster fear of starting their businesses in Japan because of some formed opinion about strict cultural values that may get in the way of business. They would rather deal with a middle man or a distributor.
Is it OK to shake hands in Japan without a business card?
To appear at a meeting without a business card does almost irreparable damage to the business relationship; it is tantamount to refusing to shake hands at a Western business meeting. Before presenting your Japanese business cards, you should make sure that it is clean and neat; no dog-eared corners or smudges allowed.