Supplement to J102 Japanese Culture

Source: DeMente, B. 1987. Japanese Etiquette & Ethics in Business.

INSTRUCTIONS: Circle letter -A- if you agree, circle letter -B- if you disagree with the statement. The following material will be part of your upcoming midterm or final exam.

1. -A- -B- Many Japanese companies use some of their best people to review what other "untrustworthy" employees do (peer review), although this practice results in low morale among the workers, lower productivity, and higher overhead.

2. -A- -B- The development of SHINYO (trust) comes about as a result of a successful AMAE relationship with another person in Japan.

3. -A- -B- WA (harmony) is said to be responsible for such things as the almost total lack of joking, horseplay, complaining, drinking at work, and other nonproductive behavior in Japanese companies.

4. -A- -B- Neither the concept nor the mechanics of the vertical inferior-superior relationship between people has changed in centuries (TATE SHAKAI, OYABUN-KOBUN). It has simply been transferred to the new bureaucratic and industrial order in Japan today.

5. -A- -B- In the OYABUN-KOBUN (master & disciple) system, advancement and authority are usually based on talent and accomplishment first, and seniority second.

6. -A- -B- In Japan, it is uncommon for all parties to shake hands or bow to each other.

7. -A- -B- It is a matter of courtesy to have Japanese-language name cards (MEISHI) ready to pass out. It is a reflection of your business sense, your personal image of yourself and your company, and your attitude toward Japan.

8. -A- -B- The customary order is to exchange business cards after bowing and shaking hands.

9. -A- -B- The SHINTO concept that is most explicit in Japan's management philosophy is belief in MUSUBI or the "undifferentiated coexistence of man, and nature, and the gods." Translated into practical terms, Japanese business people believe that spiritual unity should be the foundation for all relations between management and employees.

10. -A- -B- While there are many facets of Buddhism, a basic tenet is coexistence of man and nature, and nonviolence. The practicalities of life, however, let the Japanese develop such concepts as passive resistance to get one's way, "losing to win," and JUJITSU, the martial art that turns an opponent's strength and aggressiveness into a weapon against him or her.

11. -A- -B- The Japanese are so attuned to one another's attitudes and manners, that the slightest hint or gesture is sufficient to convey their meaning with an almost magical facility.

12. -A- -B- The code of honor of the Japanese is often referred to as "GIRI to one's name." Failure to keep GIRI to one's name results in "loss of face. "

13. -A- -B- The Japanese admire anyone who can speak clearly or who talks fast. They appreciate anyone who talks a lot.

14. -A- -B- "Gift giving" on an elaborate scale is a recent development in Japan among schoolmates, workmates, and neighbors.

15. -A- -B- Economic considerations are more important to most Japanese than working for a first-class company because economic status is highly valued by the Japanese.

16. -A- -B- Direct, specific orders do not set well with members of the work sections. Such orders leave the workers with the impression they are not trusted and that management has no respect for them.

17. -A- -B- Until the mid-1980s most Japanese companies simply would not consider hiring someone who was partially or wholly educated abroad.

18. -A- -B- In Japanese companies, the function of the board of directors is mostly ceremonial, and the title of "director" is primarily "social." The board that really runs the large Japanese company--if one does--is the JOMU KAI or "Managing Directors Board."

19. -A- -B- The Japanese are prepared psychologically and practically for doing business through or with secretaries.

20. -A- -B- Japanese business people tend to pay too little attention to the disruption caused by personnel turnover because they think more in terms of the "position" or "slot" being filled by a "body" that has qualifications which the job calls for. They play down the personality and character of the person filling the position and often do not adequately concern themselves with the role of human relations in business.

21. -A- -B- The individual Japanese section or department manager has a secretary or a pool of typists to take care of correspondence.

22. -A- -B- The American tendency to bring in lawyers on business negotiations and to draw up minutely detailed contracts can be very upsetting to the Japanese.

23. -A- -B- The Japanese view is that because it is impossible to know exactly what is going to happen in the future, written contracts are very important.

24. -A- -B- Japanese businessmen go to bars or clubs at night to have serious discussions. They also go to bars to relax and hang out.

25. -A- -B- Because of both the inherent vagueness of the Japanese language and the distinctive attitudes and social behavior that continue to force the Japanese to use their language in a vague, esoteric manner, even well-educated people often have difficulty expressing themselves clearly.

26. -A- -B- It is a serious breach of etiquette in Japan to criticize someone directly in public, except when the relationship is superior-to-subordinate.

27. -A- -B- With the fall of the feudal system in 1868, the new government began an intensive campaign to bring the country up to the industrial level of the United States and the advanced European nations. Part of this campaign was an intense effort to imbue every child in the country with a concept of success known as RISSHIN SHUSSE, or something like "rise to eminence through success!"

28. -A- -B- Non-Japanese who are serious about getting to know and establishing a lasting rapport with Japanese are well advised to cultivate an appreciation of simple beauty and the myriad workings of nature.

29. -A- -B- In traditional Japanese behavior, a forward, aggressive approach was forbidden. The Japanese were taught, quite literally forced, to be reticent, self-effacing, to speak in vague terms, to avoid bragging, to deprecate themselves and their belongings, and to be repelled by the opposite behavior.

30. -A- -B- In Confucian ethics, the ideal family is one that follows the 5 principles: (a) filial piety, (b) fidelity, (c) obedience, (d) kindness, and (e) loyalty to one's superiors.

31. -A- -B- The SHINTO belief is that people should be selfless and kind and help each other. One who is in a superior position is morally obligated to take care of those who work for or serve him, and that peaceful harmony should be maintained by strict adherence to these beliefs.

32. -A- -B- In the Japanese classroom, students are encouraged to ask questions to clarify doubts they may have.

33. -A- -B- Two influences that played leading roles in the development of esthetics in Japan are the SHINTO and ZEN Buddhism.

34. -A- -B- As practiced by the Japanese, the "tea ceremony" is essentially used to drive spirits out of newly constructed buildings and to bring luck to those who are going to live there.

35. -A- -B- The Japanese are unaware that many of their habits, customs, and attitudes seriously handicap them in their international relations.

36. -A- -B- URA KOSAKU or NEMAWASHI means to fix something behind the scenes. The term is often applicable when one is petitioning the decision making body for something or negotiating a business deal--a common practice in Japan.

37. -A- -B- To the Japanese mind, failure to achieve goals brings shame on the group and family, and laziness or other nonproductive behavior often makes the Japanese feel guilty.

= end of DeMente, B. =