Building Business Rapport

When it comes to business and work, Japanese are known for being hardworking, loyal and dedicated. A successful relationship with a Japanese partner, client, colleague or employee will thus be influenced by sincerity, trustworthiness, respect and compatibility. Trustworthiness and sincerity mean that you are clear on your purpose and goal, especially financial goal. They also mean that you are dedicated to the achievement of that goal. Respect and compatibility, on the other hand, mean that you are concerned with building a harmonious relationship. This may involve observing and respecting traditions and cultural norms.

Establishing Rapport

Building rapport and establishing good relationship with a Japanese colleague is actually not as hard as others might think. The Japanese are actually tolerant of differences. You just have to be careful, because they are sensitive people. Thus, when doing business in Japan or when dealing with Japanese people, you have to take in mind the following cultural characteristics:

Japanese are proud people who are easily dishonoured by shame and insulted by blunt, vulgar words.

Japanese have an imperialist mindset (but not in all cases), are proud of their heritage, and know what they are worth. So they will less likely subject themselves to submission.

Japanese are proud in what they do; they more likely do not want to be told what to do, or how things should be done.