Japanese Communication

-Non-Verbal Communication in Japan In Japan, silence is just as important as speaking. It is a designed moment to understand what has just been communicated. It is a moment to think and an opportunity to respond in a well thought-out manner. In our country, silence is considered to be an awkward moment and we try to cover this uncomfortable feeling with words. -Facial Gestures The uncommitted face of the Japanese is very common. It is considered rude to overtly express your emotions in public. The poker face is used to cover up negative emotions as well as being used as a shield to protect your privacy. The smile can often be an expression that conceals embarrassment, pain, or anguish. In an uncomfortable situation it is not uncommon for the Japanese to give a nervous laugh or awkward smile to conceal the true emotion.

Eye contact in our country is often a signal of confidence or sincerity. In many cases,
the Japanese consider direct and constant eye contact a rude gesture that means defiance or challenge. The Japanese may shift their eyes of look down to show respect to another. -Showing Respect to Objects Material objects or items from someone are shown just as much respect as the person might be. Business cards are not folded, written on, or fiddled with. A guests coat is not thrown over a chair but instead hung up carefully, sometimes taking care to brush away imaginary lint. The wrapping paper on a gift that has been graciously presented is not crumpled up insignificantly, rather it is gently folded and the ribbon often retied around the paper or placed carefully on top of the wrapping paper. At a traditional Japanese restaurant or home, the guests shoes are placed together and turned around so that the guest can easily put his or her shoes back on when leaving. Furniture is used properly you do not lean on a desk or sit on a table. -Touching If you do not know someone, it is best to avoid physical contact (things such as a pat on the back or a hug) because the Japanese do not show signs of affection or emotion in public. Young couples may be seen holding hands, but it is considered embarrassing to see people kiss in public.

-Gestures Me- pointing to ones nose or touching the nose. Listening- nodding ones head up and down. Not to be mistaken with a yes gesture. It means that one is listening, not necessarily agreeing. Negative- fanning ones hand back and forth in front of the face as if to nod no with the hand or fan away flies. Modesty or Embarrassment- covering the mouth with a hand, usually by women. Anger- pointing the index fingers up from the temples, mimicking a devil with horns. Fighting- crisscrossing the index fingers or tapping the index fingers together. Money- forming a circle with the thumb and index fingers together, similar to what is used here to mean ok. Eating- holding an imaginary rice bowl in the left hand while pretending to shovel rice into the mouth with chopsticks with the right hand. Drinking- mimic the wrist action of taking a drink from a small sake cup. Come here- waving the hand in a back and forth motion with the fingers pointed downwards. -Verbal Communication in Japan Pronunciation: Japanese is quite phonetic and when spelled with the English alphabet, pronunciation is not a problem if you look at the word carefully and pronounce all the letters. Also, most Japanese words have equal emphasis stressed on each syllable. For example, HI-RO-SHI-MA is pronounced with equal emphasis on each of the four syllables not HI-ro-SHI-ma. The pronunciation of vowels is as follows: AAH as in Father IEE as in Machine UOO as in June EEH as in Set OOH as in Go Words and phrases: YesHA I NoI IE PleaseDO ZO

Thank you A RI GA TO Thank you very muchA RI GA TO ZA I MA SU Youre welcomeDO I TA SHI MA SHI TE Good morningO HA YO GO ZA I MA SU Good afternoon or helloKON NI CHI WA Good eveningKAN BAN WA Good byeSA YO NA RA Im leavingI-I TE KI MA SU Im homeTA DA I MA My name isWA TA SHI NO NA MA E WA Nice to meet youHA JI ME MA SHI TE How are you?...O GEN KI DE SU KA Excuse meSU MI MA SEN How much?...I KU RA DE SE KA What time?...NAN JI DE SU KA Thank you for the mealGO CHI SO SA MA Cheers!...KAN PAI Rest roomO TE A RAI BankGIN KO StoreO MI SE MoneyO KA NE

Japanese Communication Exercise

Use the information found in the handout on nonverbal and verbal communication in Japan to prepare yourself to act out the following scenarios. See the teacher to sign up for the scenario that you want to do. Note that some of the scenarios require a partner. 1. Demonstrate and explain the importance of silence in Japan. (2 people) 2. Demonstrate the come here gesture. 3. Demonstrate and explain the Japanese viewpoint about touching. (2 people) 4. Introduce yourself in Japanese. 5. Demonstrate and explain an example of the uncommitted face. 6. Demonstrate the anger gesture. 7. Give an example of the smile. 8. Pronounce the vowels in Japanese. 9. Demonstrate and explain the difference between eye contact here and in Japan. (2 people) 10. Demonstrate the me gesture. 11. Using the Japanese language create a conversation between two people. (2 people) 12. Demonstrate and explain how Japanese show respect to objects by acting out a transfer of business cards between two Japanese businessmen. (2 people) 13. Demonstrate the listening gesture. 14. Demonstrate the eating gesture. 15. Using the Japanese language create a conversation between two people. (2 people) 16. Demonstrate and explain how Japanese show respect for objects by acting out the receiving of a gift. (2 people) 17. Demonstrate the negative gesture. 18. Demonstrate the drinking gesture. 19. Demonstrate the modesty or embarrassment gesture. 20. Demonstrate the fighting gesture. 21. Demonstrate the money gesture. 22. Using the Japanese language create a conversation between two people. (2 people)