Work Ethics in Japan – For Small and Medium Businesses

“It is so exciting to be working in Japan!”

I still remember the first day I landed in Japan. Everything was very exciting and there was a breath of freshness in the air. But, let me admit, it takes at least a week for your sleep schedule to catch up with the Tokyo time!

Work Ethics in Japan

Once I reported to work, I realized that there were a lot of adjustments that I had to do in my work style, my mannerisms, my communication and in a whole lot of other aspects. In just a week’s time I understood that I had to learn a lot more, including learning to speak Japanese, to help commence my journey of understanding Japan and its work culture.

The easiest way of moving around in the city is to use the subway as they are always on time, run from as early as 5.00 AM in the morning and the fares are in the range of US$ 2 to US$ 3 (INR 150 to INR 225). Of course, if you plan to travel to other cities in Japan, you must buy the Japan Rail pass.

It may surprise you to know that in some places, cash is a preferred way of payment as against a credit card. Also, since everything from 1 yen to 500 yen (about Rs. 350) are coins, I highly recommend that you should carry a coin purse with you. By the way, these are common souvenirs that you would find at any tourist shop.

The next most important point that I would strongly recommend is that you learn Japanese before visiting Japan.  You should at least know this one phrase – Eigo o hanashimasu ka? / Do you speak English?

Generally, you would come across Japanese who could speak good English especially at the railway stations, airports, and major tourist attractions but knowing to speak a bit of Japanese would always help. Acceptance amongst the Japanese is very high once you start conversing in Japanese language.

Well, there are surprises as well and one needs to get used to lack of trash cans in public spaces. Most of the trash cans you find are privately managed, and hence we need to carry a small bag just to put your trash before your dump it at the end of the day once you reach home.

Food is an integral part of the culture and you will find most of the restaurants full and people would often stand in a long que, waiting for their turn to go in and dine. While fresh sushi is everyone’s delight, a delicious bowl of ramen can satisfy your appetite.

Rice is a staple food and hence available in all restaurants. Well, there are plenty of other lip-smacking Japanese dishes which you can explore during your visit. Eateries are open till late in to the night and ensure that no customer is turned back. It is common for families to eat out as everyone at home goes to work.

Talking about sports, Sumo and Baseball are the most popular crowd pullers. Hanshin Tigers was my favourite baseball team based out of Osaka. As regards Sumo, my all-time favourites are Takanohana and Wakanohana who are brothers and have been long serving Sumo wrestlers.

Now coming to work ethics for SMBs, here are some basic guidelines that you should follow meticulously.

Don’t question your boss/superiors which is fundamental to the hierarchical working culture. Boss is always right and the team under him/her just needs to execute. Eight out of ten ideas/decisions may go wrong but the team believes that the remaining two would work. That is the strong belief that they carry.

Don’t come out with amazing ideas of how the Company should be working, especially when you have just joined, as these may not be viewed in the right spirit. Complete a few years with the Company, get respect from your superiors, peers and subordinates and then try to propose a new idea which might get acceptance.

Working overtime at office is very common in Japan. Sometimes, staying long hours allows you to learn more and achieve perfection. For most of the Japanese, the nation comes first and they hence pay all their taxes on time. Their office comes next and hence they would sit up to late in the evening and complete their work to their supervisor’s satisfaction. Their domestic front comes third and would get their attention only after they complete their day’s work.

Office timings and appointments with customers are to be honored, come what may. If you have an appointment with a customer at 9.00 AM, then you should be there sufficiently in advance and if the customer has already reached there before you, you would need to apologize for having kept him waiting! Similarly, lunch break timings are strictly adhered to.

For example, if lunch break is between 1.30 PM to 2.30 PM, you could literally set your clock as you will find no employee at his/her desk at 1.30 PM and all of them would be back at 2.29 PM to be ready to commence work. Most of the conversations amongst employees would happen only over intercom and hence there would be pin drop silence at the workplace.

The most important change that one must adopt at the workplace is to apologise and not make excuses. The politest form of apology is mōshiwakegozaimasen, and it means “there is no excuse.” You will be respected if you just apologise. Be ready to accept some bit of criticism and don’t be defensive. When you start telling your colleagues why they are wrong, you are more likely to lose respect at your workplace.

Well, to summarize, I enjoyed my stint working in Japan, travelled widely within the country, was witness to a massive earthquake and developed a liking for Japanese music. I hope you find some of these tips useful and since these are my personal views, please feel to explore Japan and acclimatize yourself the way you want.

And, of course, the next time you visit Japan, plan to spend time north of Tokyo, where you will enjoy national forests, waterfalls, important World Heritage sites and natural hot springs!

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