Making Acquaintances: Differences and Similarities

(Country: Japan)
DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES
Historical Background
Japan was founded in 660 BC under Jimmu, who expanded the empire significantly.
Korea, who was very influenced by China, passed on their culture to Japan. In the 5th
century, Chinese writing began to be used and by 430 BC people were appointed to keep
records (Japan's History and Background n.d.). In the 6h century Buddhism was
introduced along with other Chinese influences. However, this influence weakened by the
9th century (Japan: Historic Background n.d.). In the 9th century, fujiwara, the main
aristocratic family, took power and changed the centralized government and divided the
country. However this caused two clans, the Taira and the Minamoto to start taking
power. This caused two wars, which resulted in the Minamoto's defeat; afterwards Taira
took power from Fujiwara (Japan's History and Background n.d.). Nevertheless a
Minamoto revolt sends Taira out of the capital and and Yorimoto the leader of Minamoto
became leader (Japan's History and Background n.d.). He was responsible for the
separation of government and military and when he was appointed as shogun. This
secured his position, which surpassed the imperial organization. In 1219 the Hojo family
took over as military rulers (Japan's History and Background n.d.). Later on Japan was
forced to open up contact, which they had closed off with Europeans and slowly Europe
and America started to influence their culture in the 19th and 20th centuries (Japan:
Historic Background n.d.).
Communication Styles
Over 99% of the country speaks Japanese. Though there are different dialects in some
areas such as Osaka and Kyoto the standard Japanese is based on the speech used in
Tokyo (Japan: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette, n.d.). People will bow to
greet one another and when parting. The depth of the bow depends on the age or status of
the person (Japan, Greetings, n.d.). Also it is best to speak indirectly then directly and
imply what you actually want to say ("Japan, Communication Style, n.d.). Furthermore
verbal communication is just one way of communicating. Nonverbal cues such as facial
expressions and body language are considered more truth worthy then actual words
(Japan Culture Comparison n.d.). However it is considered to be rude to stare at
another persons eyes especially if they are older then you or at a higher position then
you.
Beliefs
Shinto and Buddhism are the most widely observed religion in Japan with 84% of the
population practicing them. Only about 0.7% of the population practices Christianity.
(Japan: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette, n.d.). The Japanese belief that many
gods and spirits inhabited everything in nature was the basis for the Shinto religion. If the
gods were kept happy they would not produce natural disasters. Buddhism was brought
over from China and though some parts of it overlap with Shinto it did not replace it. The

teachings, that nothing lasts forever and nothing has its own substance, of Buddhism has
shaped the beliefs of the Japanese people (Japanese Religion and Spirituality n.d.).
Japanese highly value the concept of harmony. They believe that it is more important for
something to have good influence on the majority then take care of the needs of one
individual.
Society Structure
Harmony is a very important factor in Japans society and guides the family and business
aspects of society (Japan: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette, n.d.). From a
young age they are raised to work with one another. However they are very strict with
hierarchy. Each person has a specific place in the hierarchy in different situations such as
in the family or in business (Japan: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette, n.d.).
Reasons for Codes of Cultural Behavior
Do
1. Take off your shoes when entering someone home. You should be provided with
slippers, which should also be taken off before stepping on tatami (Japanese
Etiquette Tips, n.d.).
Reasons: Japan has a culture based on Particularism. Therefore they have a set of
particular rules that everyone follows. It has been tradition that people must take
their shoes off before entering someones home. Not taking off your shoes
conveys that you are disagreeing with their cultural rules and shows disrespect.
2. Shower before taking a bath. The bath is for relaxing only and everyone in the
household uses the same bathwater (Dos & Donts in Japan, n.d.).
Reasons: Japan has a harmonious society and is respectful of others. Therefore it
is polite to shower before entering the bath so the water stays clean for the people
that come after. It is common courtesy to think of the people around you and to
keep peace with them.
3. Slurp your noodles if you are pleased with them. Slurping is considered a seal of
approval (Klein, 2002, para. 9).
Reasons: In Japan non-verbal communication is part of their way of daily
communication because they are a high-context society. They use non-verbal cues
to express their feelings and these cues are trusted more then words. Slurping
noodles conveys that you are satisfied with your food.
4. Be punctual because there is no such thing as fashionably late. Make sure to be
on time to an appointment or even get there early (Dos & Donts in Japan,
n.d.).
Reasons: Japan has a monochromic culture and values punctuality. Changes in
expected appointment times are seen as disruptive to their schedule. Therefore
showing up late to an appointment is seen as very disrespectful.
5. Use both hands to accept anything from someone else such as plates or business
cards (Dos & Donts in Japan, n.d.).
Reasons: Japans culture has a formal style of human relationships. Any sort of
social relation has a set of rules. If any action is done improperly this may portray
that you think the other person is lower then you. By using both hands to accept

an item you are following the guidelines of social relations and showing respect to
the person you are receiving the item from.
Dont
1. Stab your food with your chopsticks. This is a gesture that occurs at funerals
(Klein, 2002, para. 10).
Reasons: Stabbing your chopsticks is highly offensive because Japan has a
culture with high uncertainty avoidance. They have a set of rules and it is
considered offensive to break these structured rules. Stabbing your food with your
chopsticks outside of a funeral setting is considered wrong and would go against
their standards.
2. Use your chopsticks to pass food to people. This resembles the transferring of
bones of the deceased after cremation by the family (Dos & Donts in Japan,
n.d.).
Reasons: Japan is very past tradition oriented. It has been a tradition in Japanese
culture to transfer bones of the dead after cremation for centuries. Therefore
performing the same tradition but with food is seen as disrespect to their culture
and those who have carried out this tradition.
3. Tip after eating at a restaurant. It is not a common thing that occurs and waiters
may follow you out to give you your money back (Dos & Donts in Japan,
n.d.).
Reasons: Japan has a very strict hierarchal system. Because of this many gestures
can be seen as distasteful. By tipping someone it makes him or her seem below
you and that they need extra money to support themselves.
4. Use the end of the chopsticks you have been eating with to pick up food from the
serving plate. (Japanese Etiquette Tips, n.d.).
Reasons: Japan has a harmonious culture. It is considered rude to use the same
part of the chopsticks, which you have been eating with to pick up food. You must
think about the people who will have to eat food that has touched your chopsticks.
Therefore it is considered polite to use the other end so your saliva does not get on
the food.
5. Be concerned about bowing this is not expected and the handshake is becoming
more common. (Klein, 2002, para. 1).
Reasons: Japan has very formal human relationships. It is very important for
them to follow the social etiquette rules. Therefore it would be rude to try to bow
when you are unaware of the standards that go along with bowing. It would be
better off to stick with a simple handshake instead of accidently offending
someone with a poorly executed bow.

References
Japan Culture Comparison. (n.d.). Western Washington University. Retrieved December
3, 2014, from
http://www.wwu.edu/auap/english/gettinginvolved/CultureComparison.shtml
Japan, Greetings. (n.d.). Culture Crossing Website. Retrieved December 3, 2014, from

http://guide.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student_details.php?Id=7&CID=104
Japan: Historic Background. (n.d.). Art, Design, and Visual Thinking. Retrieved
December 3, 2014, from http://char.txa.cornell.edu/nonwest/japan/japanhis.htm
Japan's History and Background. (n.d.). AsianInfo. Retrieved December 3, 2014, from
http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/japan/pro-history.htm
Japan: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. (n.d.). Kwintessential Website.
Retrieved December 3, 2014, from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/globaletiquette/japan-country-profiles.html
Japanese Etiquette Tips. (n.d.). Retrieved September 25, 2014, from
Vayama: http://www.vayama.com/etiquette/japan/
Japanese Religion and Spirituality. (n.d.). Ancient Civilizaions. Retrieved December 3,
2014, from http://www.ushistory.org/civ/10a.asp
Jones, L. (n.d.). Do's & Don'ts in Japan. Retrieved September 25, 2014,
from Worldguide: http://www.worldguide.eu/wg/index.php?
StoryID=525&ArticleID=23935&ArticleLang=1
Klein, L. (2002, October 26). At Home Abroad/ Expat adviser : The dos
and don'ts of Japanese etiquette. Retrieved September 25, 2014, from
New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/26/news/26ihtradvice_ed3_.html