How to Thrive in a Japanese Workplace: 3 tips to fit in Japanese work culture
Japanese work culture does not only value diligence but also specific mannerism vital to the work environment . There are various customs and practices important to the work culture such as greetings , teamwork and group harmony , relationship building and continuous work improvement . In this article we will be discussing 3 of these practices in Japanese work culture .
Greetings at the Workplace
Unlike in other parts of the world where handshakes are a common way of greeting , in Japan , bowing is a common way of greeting . In Japanese workplace, it is common for juniors to greet their seniors first . It is considered a way to show your respect to the seniors of the company . In Japanese workplace , there is a clear hierarchy . Proper greetings can also be a way to showcase respect for authority and honoring hierarchical structures .
Group Harmony and Team work
Team working skill is highly regarded and recognized in Japanese work culture . In Japanese companies , the employees are often encouraged to work as a team and support each other . “HORENSO” is one of the Japanese working rule that stands for "Hokoku" (report), "Renraku" (communicate), and "Sodan" (consult).
Relationship building
In Japanese culture , drinking parties are a way to build relationships between colleagues and the seniors . It is also a common practice between business and their clients .It is also called “nominication” . “nomi” (to drink ) and “communication”
