India and Japan have a long and close relationship. The two countries have been trading with each other for centuries, and there is a large Indian community in Japan. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in business between India and Japan. This is due to a number of factors, including the growing economies of both countries and the increasing integration of the global economy.
However, there are some cultural differences between India and Japan that can be a challenge for businesses that are trying to do business with each other. Here are some Japanese business characteristics that can be a new to Indians. Therefore learning the Japanese language & knowing their culture will give you an added advantage in doing business with the Japanese.
So, why it is important for Indians to learn Japanese and Japanese business culture if they are doing business with Japanese companies?
1. The importance of relationships
Japanese businesses place a great deal of importance on relationships. They believe that it is important to build strong relationships with their business partners before they can do business with them. This can be a challenge for Indian businesses, which often prefer to focus on the bottom line.
2. The importance of consensus
Japanese businesses also place a great deal of importance on consensus. They believe that it is important to reach a consensus before making a decision. This can be a challenge for Indian businesses, which often prefer to take quick decisions.
These are just two of the Japanese business characteristics that can be a different to the Indian mind-set. If you are an Indian businessperson who is interested in doing business with Japanese companies, it is important to be aware of these cultural differences. It is also important to learn Japanese and Japanese business culture. This will help you to build strong relationships with your Japanese business partners and to make decisions that are acceptable to both parties.
Another lesser-known Japanese business characteristic related to hierarchies that Indians should be aware of is the concept of “senpai” and “kohai.” In Japanese organizations, there is a strong emphasis on respecting and maintaining hierarchies and seniority.
Senpai (先輩) &Kohai (後輩):: This term refers to someone who is more senior or experienced in an organization or a particular field. Senpai are afforded respect and are often seen as mentors or role models. It is expected that juniors (kohai) defer to their senpai and seek guidance from them.
Understanding the senpai-kohai dynamic is crucial because it governs many aspects of Japanese business interactions, including communication styles, decision-making processes, and workplace etiquette. Indians working in Japan or with Japanese colleagues should be mindful of this hierarchy and demonstrate the appropriate level of respect and deference to senior colleagues. This cultural nuance can greatly influence relationships and collaborations within Japanese organizations.
Here at Sakuraa Nihongo Resource Centre, there is a strong focus on learning the Japanese language to clear the Japanese Proficiency tests. Equal emphasis is also laid on Japanese culture & business etiquettes. There are a plethora of courses and activities that we offer to cater to Japanese language learning & understanding Japanese culture.
Call us to find out more about our Japanese Language courses and Culture & business etiquette training programs.
Sakuraa Nihongo Resource Centre®
ph: +91 89043 90300 / +91 80 2346 4677
e-mail : info@snrc.co.in