WorksheetsJapanese Business Etiquette (IB)
Total questions: 18
Worksheet time: 3mins
You are greeting a Japanese executive to discuss a potential business endeavor for the first time. When greeting him, what should you address him as?
Mr. Tanaka
Dr. Tanaka
San-Tanaka
Tanaka-san
Before you sit down, the Japanese executive hands you a business card. What should you do with it?
Take the card with one hand, say thank you and place it in your pocket.
Take the card with both hands and place it on the table in front of you.
Take the card with one hand and place it on the table in front of you
Take the card with both hands and place it in your business card holder
You are at the end of a business meeting with an executive of a Japanese Tech Company discussing the potential opportunity to create a partnership. As the US company representative you ask, “Isn’t your company interested in partnering with us?” The Japanese Executive answers “Yes”. Which is True?
The Japanese Executive is interested in creating a partnership with the US Company.
The Japanese Executive has no interest in pursuing the partnership.
The meeting ends and you want to follow-up to confirm your interest in pursuing the business endeavor. You should follow-up with…
A) A phone call to the executives you met with the next day to express your gratitude and excitement for the endeavor
B) An email in 24 hours expressing your gratitude for their time and hospitality
C) The sending of a gift with a thank you note within 48 hours of the business meeting
D) An email a week later expressing your excitement for the partnership.
Business cards (meishi) are typically exchanged in a formal Japanese business meeting by:
handing them over with both hands, with a slight bow
placing them on the table and sliding them across
tossing them lightly across the table
handing them over with one hand, without a bow
You bring a gift for your Japanese counterpart. When should you give and to who should you give the gift to?
Present the gift at the beginning of the meeting and give it to the young representative to whom you’ve been communicating with.
Present the gift in the middle of the meeting to the most senior member in the meeting.
Present the gift at the end of the meeting to the young representative to whom you’ve been communicating with.
Present the gift at the end of the meeting to the most senior member in the meeting.
What is the expected behavior regarding punctuality in Japanese business culture?
Being a few minutes late is acceptable and common
Punctuality is extremely important; arriving early is a sign of respect
Meetings usually start late, so exact timing is not critical
Time is considered flexible and secondary to relationship-building
During a first business meeting in Japan, what is typically the focus?
Jumping straight into business and closing a deal
Negotiating hard to get the best price possible
Building trust and relationships through introductions and small talk
Talking about controversial issues to test honesty
In a Japanese meeting room, where does the highest-ranking person usually sit?
Closest to the exit
By the coffee machine
In the middle of the table regardless of rank
Farthest from the door, considered the seat of honor
How does traditional Japanese business culture view direct eye contact during conversations?
It is expected and seen as a sign of confidence
Too much eye contact can be seen as aggressive or rude
Avoiding eye contact means you’re lying
Staring into the eyes shows that you’re trustworthy
What is considered disrespectful when handing a gift to a Japanese business partner?
Handing the gift with one hand
Not wrapping the gift
Giving the gift in private
Using both hands to present the gift
Which of the following is a key element of Japanese business etiquette regarding meetings?
Meetings should be scheduled without much notice
A meeting’s agenda is followed strictly and in detail
It’s acceptable to interrupt and express disagreement openly
It’s important to be early for meetings and stay silent until spoken to
What is the typical Japanese approach to decision-making in a business context?
It’s done by a single person quickly
It’s done collectively and involves more than one opinion.
Decisions are made in secret and revealed suddenly
It is often based on individual needs rather than company goals
In Japanese business culture, how is a formal apology typically made if a mistake occurs?
Apologize loudly and immediately make promises to fix it
Make a humble apology and take responsibility, but avoid making excuses
Ignore the mistake and move on with the conversation
Apologize only to your boss, not the client
What is considered the most appropriate way to leave a Japanese business meeting?
Stand up, bow, and leave without further discussion
Shake hands and leave immediately
Thank everyone for their time, bow, and leave slowly
Leave without saying goodbye to avoid wasting time
In the context of Japanese business, why is the concept of nemawashi important?
It’s a traditional greeting between executives
It’s an aggressive persuasion tactic
It’s the informal process of building consensus before a formal decision
It’s a rule of etiquette for corporate meals
In a formal Japanese meeting, if the host offers tea or drinks, what is the expected polite response from the guest?
Refuse it to avoid being a bother
Accept, take a sip, and continue the conversation
Ask for sugar or milk if you don’t like the tea
Offer to serve others as a sign of respect
What does silence during a business negotiation with Japanese executives usually signify?
A lack of interest
A sign of disagreement
An awkward moment that should be filled
A moment of reflection and respect for the speaker
