Marketing in Japan Section 2 Part 3 of 3

Marketing in Japan:Section 2

Part 3 of 3: Marketing in Japan best practices and business insights.

Table of Contents:Page Name: Page Number:Business Practices 3

5 Steps to Marketing In Japan 4How to Launch a Product in Japan 11Tips to Marketing In Japan 28Symbolism in Japan 44

Business Insights 57Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions 58Business Facts 78Business Etiquette 98Business Differences: US vs. Japan

123

Work Cited 135

Marketing in Japan:Business Facts to Know-

Appearance

Behavior

Communication

Compiled By author from cyborlink.com


Japan Appearance:

A Smile Can Have a Double Meaning:

The Japanese Are Not Uncomfortable With Silence:

It can express either joy or displeasure

Use caution with your

facial expressions

They can be easily

misunderstood

They use it to their advantage in many situationsAllow your host to sit in silence



When toasting the glass is never left

unfilled

• The word for toasting is kampai

• Drinking is an important part of Japanese culture

• It is a way to relieve business stress

• Never pour a drink yourself; always allow someone else to do it for you

Most business

entertaining is done in

restaurants or bars after

business hours

• Often in karaoke or other bars

• Let the host order the meal and pay

• Business may be discussed while dinning at these events

Japan Behavior:



Japanese rarely entertain in the

home

• If you are invited to the home of your Japanese host, consider it a great honor

• Display a tremendous amount of appreciation

If you are invited to a social event

• Punctuality is not expected

• It is the custom to be "fashionably late”

If you take your host out insist

upon paying

• The Japanese will refuse but insist

• Go to a Western-style restaurant when entertaining them

Japan Behavior:



いただき Itadakimasu Lets eat Said at the beginning of a meal

御馳走様でした Gochisousama deshita Thank you for the meal Said at the end of a meal

Japan Behavior:

It Is Polite to Use These Phrase: It

Will Show the Host You Have Enjoyed

the Meal:

Images from google.com


O-seibo falls at the end of the year

O-chugen falls during the middle of the year

The Most Popular Gift Giving Occasions In Japan Are:

Japan Behavior:

Compiled By author from cyborlink.com images from google.com


Good Gift

Ideas:

Top Choice Beef

Fruit

Alcohol: Brandy, Whiskey,

Bourbon and Wines

Gifts from high-end

department stores: Saks or Neiman

Marcus

Japan Behavior:



Style is tantamou

nt

• The gift itself isn’t too important• The ceremony surrounding it is crucial

Always wrap gifts

• The selection of the wrapping paper is essential • Do not give anything wrapped in white as it symbolizes death• Do not use bright colors or bows to wrap the gift• It is better to have the hotel or the store wrap the gift to ensure that it is

appropriate

Japan Behavior:



Do not surprise the recipient with the gift

Give your host some warning during the evening that you intend to give them a present

Give the gift with both hands and accept gifts with hands

Gifts will not be opened in your presence

If your host insist that you open the gift do so gingerly

They take pride in gift wrapping, show you appreciation the effort

Japan Behavior:


Marketing in Japan:Business Etiquette-

Silence is Golden

Group Solidarity is Paramount

Business Cards are Talismans

Age Equals Seniority

Hard Sell Doesn't Sell

Privacy is Valued

What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

Chopstick Manners Speak Loudly

Honor the Unofficial Dress Code

The Small Stuff Matters

Compiled By author from americanexpress.com


Silence is Golden:In A Business Setting:

This may different from what you do back home, where being more outgoing can facilitate communication

Silence is valued over an

overabundance of talking

Silence is linked to credibility

Silence speaks loudly about wisdom and

emotional self-control



Receiving Business Cards:

Accept the card with

both hands

Read it Briefly

Where to place the

card:

Standing: Place in card holder

Sitting: Place on table for meeting

then in card holder


Business Cards are Talismans:


Giving Business Cards:

Give the card with

both hands

Japanese-printed

side facing the person

Even if the person is far away:

Stand and give it to the individual

Don’t throw or push the card

across the tableCompiled By author from americanexpress.com



Business cards should be printed in your home

language on one side and Japanese on

the other

The card needs to

contain the name and title along with the company

name, address and telephone number of

the businessman

When card is recieved, it is important to

make a photocopy of

the name and title of

the individual in your mind

Examine the card carefully as a show of

respect




Take special care in handling cards that are given to you

Do not write on the card

Business cannot

begin until the meishi exchange process is complete

The business cards are always

given after the bow




Flowers such as lilies, lotus

blossoms, camellias and other white

flowers tend to be used for

funeral services

Potted plants also carry negative

superstitions

Buying a set of four of

anything is deemed unlucky

Christmas cards should not be red,

because funeral notices

are customarily

printed in red

X X X XWhat Not To Give As A Gift:

Compiled By author from americanexpress.com images from google.com

Business gift exchange is an important tradition in

Japan, especially at

the first meeting

What You Don't Know Can Hurt You:


Blowing your nose in public, such as in a meeting room, is considered bad taste; instead excuse yourself and walk out

Take your shoes off at the door, wear the slippers your Japanese host provided

If you go to the washroom, there’s another pair of slippers that's reserved for the washroom, remove them before going back to your seat

When invited to a Japanese home, you may have to remove your slippers once inside if there’s a tatami floor—a type of mat that should only be stepped on with bare feet or socks

The Small Stuff Matters:

Some Details to Consider:

Compiled By author from americanexpress.com images from google.com

Marketing in Japan:Business Differences-

Heterogeneous vs. Homogeneous

culturesPersonal Life vs. Professional Life

ROI of Revenues vs. ROI of Relationships

Risk Takers vs. Risk Adverse cultures

Speed vs. Consistency

Time Spent Collaborating vs.

Collaborating Time Spent

Communication: Remote vs. Face-to-

Face

Roles & Responsibilities:

Individual vs. Group

Working Styles: Loose vs Structured

Retirement Rewards: Self-Sponsored vs.

Company-Sponsored

Dimensions Business in Which the US & Japan Differ:

Compiled By author from blog.btrax.com

Contact Us for the Full Presentation:

Mediacontact USA Inc.13575 58TH Street North #160

Clearwater, Fl. 33760

T: 727 538 4112E: [email protected]

www.mediacontactusa.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.mediacontactusa.com/

Work Cited: "5 Steps to Marketing in Japan." Hawaii Business Magazine. 2011. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.

<http://www.hawaiibusiness.com/5-steps-to-marketing-in-japan/>. "10 Cultural Contrasts between US & Japanese Companies." Freshtrax by Btrax. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.

<http://blog.btrax.com/en/2010/12/15/10-cultural-contrasts-between-us-and-japanese-companies-a-personal-view/>. "Discover Japan!" : Luck and Unlucky Number. Web. 01 Mar. 2016. <http://discover-jp.blogspot.com/2006/11/luck-and-

unlucky-number.html>. "Here’s What You Need To Know When Marketing To Japanese Consumers."VoiceBunny Blog. 2015. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.

<http://voicebunny.com/blog/heres-need-know-marketing-japanese-consumers/>. "International Business: Marketing in Asia by the Numbers: Numerology Affects International

Business." DeseretNews.com. 2011. Web. 01 Mar. 2016. <http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705394498/Marketing-in-Asia-by-the-numbers-Numerology-affects-international-business.html?pg=all>.

"Japan Business Etiquette, Culture, & Manners." Japan. Web. 01 Mar. 2016. <http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/japan.htm>.

"Japan: It's Better in Color - Tofugu." Tofugu. 2012. Web. 01 Mar. 2016. <http://www.tofugu.com/2012/06/28/japan-its-better-in-color/>.

"Japanese Colors Vocabulary - Learn Japanese Colors Vocabulary." About.com Education. Web. 01 Mar. 2016. <http://japanese.about.com/od/japanesevocabulary/a/Colors.htm>.

"Launching a Product in Japan: 5 Action Points Dos & Donts."� MarketingSherpa.com. Web. 01 Mar. 2016. <https://www.marketingsherpa.com/article/interview/5-action-points-dos-donts>.

Mathers, Cassandra. "What Is the Meaning of Color in Japanese Culture?" EHow. Demand Media. Web. 01 Mar. 2016. <http://www.ehow.com/about_6658499_meaning-color-japanese-culture_.html>.

Martinuzzi, Bruna. "Doing Business in Japan: 10 Etiquette Rules You Should Know." American Express, 5 Aug. 2013. Web. 1 Mar. 2016. <https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/doing-business-in-japan-10-etiquette-rules-you-should-know/>.

"What about Japan?" Japan. Web. 01 Mar. 2016. <http://geert-hofstede.com/japan.html>.