“Magic Phrases” when dealing with Japanese
Non-Japanese are often frustrated by Japanese colleagues who do not give sufficient direction or opinions. It can feel like pulling teeth to try to get clear guidance…...
Cross-cultural communication
Writing reports the Japanese want to read
In any business setting, reports are a crucial tool. When writing reports for your Japanese colleagues, using a few key strategies can decrease frustrations and help you meet your...
Phrases the Japanese love to hate
How you respond to inquiries that are not necessarily in your main area of expertise or responsibility will make a big impact on how you are perceived by Japanese colleagues....
Lost in translation
American clients visiting Japan on business, feel the translations they get are only a fraction of what they know was really said, and it feels like the most important parts...
Japanese executive communication skills
Japanese executives tend to just sit at their desks in their offices. They don’t make the effort to walk around and talk to people. They don’t do anything...
Persuading Japanese
There are certain things that Japanese tend to respond to and other things that they tend not to respond to. Knowing some of the dos and don’ts will help...
Why is it so difficult to tell what a Japanese person is thinking?
Japanese communication style is difficult to read because Japanese tend to use fewer words, assuming that you the listener will be able to read between the lines. Some things...
Getting responses from the Japanese
Building and maintaining relationships with your Japanese colleagues, along with clearly written requests containing background information, options, and labeling your key issues, will help them respond to your inquiry....
Why don’t Japanese share more information?
Due to their struggles using and understanding the English language, Japanese often get exhausted trying to express themselves, and give up before they have communicated all the necessary information. ...
Does videoconferencing work?
When it comes to communicating with Japanese counterparts, video conferencing is still no replacement for face-to-face meetings....