Cultural Evaluation: Japan Cultural Evaluation: Japan
There is a substantial difference between American and Japanese cultures. Both countries like any other countries in the world have their own rituals, culture, values that they follow with pride. In order to carry out successful business conversation, presentation or interaction of any kind, it is imperative to understand each other’s culture and follow certain guidelines to be successful. Care must be taken to ensure that for the sake of both parties involved, all types of confrontations must be avoided at all costs to safeguard the foundation of a successful and meaningful business relationship. (LeBaron, 2003)
Any American or executive wishing to conduct business with any corporation in a foreign country must first try to form an understanding of the cultural aspects of the country. This statement becomes more critical with Japan because of the significant difference in what is considered acceptable behavior in the country compared to America. Japanese culture is based on the concept of honor and it is considered extremely important to give due respect to everyone despite the fact you may or may not agree with their thoughts. It is considered impolite in Japanese culture reject someone’s ideas out right since this would embarrass the person who proposed the idea. Observing all the common protocols serves as a demonstration of sign of respect for Japanese culture and is highly recommended for anyone wanting to do business in the country.
There are also significant differences in how information is perceived in different countries and the level of detail that is expected. In Japan, senior managers and directors both hold high-level technical degrees and expect very detailed information in presentations as compared to American senior managers and directors who find a high level presentations acceptable and are often preferred. In Japan, executive tend to lose interest until they receive substantial solid information backed up with data and actual results.
In Japanese business etiquette dress code and appearance hold a very high value. (Japanese Business Resource, 2015) Individuals presenting information or meeting with Japanese executives must wear formal attire because business casual attire is not always accepted. Men should wear dark colored business suits and women should wear business suits with skirts or dresses. Japanese business customs require women to wear skirts or a dress as pants can be considered a sign of disrespect and may be found to be offensive. The Japanese believe in the importance of trust and honor based on long-term business relationships and they are the personification of professional. Japanese businessmen and women expect the same level of commitment and quality from their business partners. Adhering to their business protocols and demonstrating understanding and respect for their culture and values during all interactions will aid in the development of strong and strategic working relationships and a successful business partnership.

References
Japanese Business Resource | Dress Code. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2015, from http://www.japanesebusinessresource.com/japanese_business_etiquette/dress-code/
Culture-Based Negotiation Styles | Beyond Intractability. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2015, from http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/culture-negotiation