Chapter Seventeen: Japan

Japan is an archipelago, or chain of islands, just off the northeast coast of mainland Asia. Four main islands and thousands of smaller ones make up the country’s 1,200-mile arc of land. Japan’s islands are actually peaks of a great underwater mountain range that rises thousands of feet from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Except for a narrow strip of land that fronts the ocean, Japan is almost entirely covered with rugged mountains and steep hills. Called Nippon (Land of the Rising Sun) by its countrymen, Japan is known for its beautiful landscapes. It’s also known for its earthquakes (about 5,000 each year) and 60 active volcanoes. After centuries of imperial and military rule, Japan established a democratic government after the end of World War II in 1945.

What Time Is it in Japan?

Japan is fourteen hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. When it’s 10 a.m. in Washington, D.C., then it’s 12 noon the next day in Japan.

People

The Japanese are descendants from early settlers who migrated to the islands as early as 10,000 B.C. Many of the people came from the Asian mainland. Still others may have come from the Pacific islands to the south. Although about the size of California, Japan has only half the population. About 77 percent of Japan’s people live in high-rise apartments or traditional houses crowded into cities along the coasts. Tokyo, Japan’s capital and largest city, and its outlying region is the world’s most densely populated area. Only 23 percent of the population live in rural Japan where they fish, farm, or cut timber to make a living. The Japanese share their love of nature through such centuries-old art forms as landscape gardening and architecture.

Doing Business in Japan

If you are planning to do business in Japan, here are a few tips you might want to know.

Greetings

• Bowing is the traditional greeting. If someone bows to you, lower your eyes, place your palms flat against your thighs, and bow as deeply as your Japanese counterpart.
• Business cards (Japanese side up, English side down) should be presented after introductions.
• When addressing someone, use last names with "san," which means Mr. or Ms.

Gestures

• Don’t exaggerate any body movement. Even a small gesture of arms, hands, or face can be misunderstood.
• Never blow your nose in public.

Protocol

• Always be on time.
• Japanese use first business meetings to also get to know you. Be patient, polite, and humble.
• Men and women should dress conservatively. If you should change into a kimono, make sure it’s draped left over right. Only corpses wear kimonos draped right over left.

Want to know more about Japan?

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