New ReviewZaibatsus are powerful financial and industrial groups in Japan (the term is formed by the Japanese words zai, meaning “money” or “wealth,” and batsu, meaning “clique” or “clan”). These conglomerates have long influenced Japanese...

New ReviewThe Japanese place great value in building relationships and developing trust. Learn more about the importance of a person's background and associations in developing new business contacts. Become familiar with the significance of using...

New ReviewAlthough myth indicates that Japan was founded in 660 BCE by Emperor Jimmu, the first clear records concerning Japan are provided by the Chinese almost one thousand years later, in the third century CE. Since its beginnings, Japan has...

New ReviewCorporate Japan has been going through a significant transition. Overall, the Japanese business culture is characterized by formal interpersonal relations, group orientation, structured processes, and defined protocols with a...

New ReviewThe G20 is a powerful, informal group of nineteen countries and the European Union. It also includes a representative from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The list evolved from an effort to include major developing...

New ReviewWhen it comes to communication, cultures can be high-context or low-context—and this is one of the key ways that cultures differ. In low-context cultures, people tend to be explicit and direct in their communications. In high-context...

New ReviewThe French tend to be motivated by a search for perfection and generally take pride in their work. Nevertheless, business and social relationships along with quality of life and well-being matter a great deal to the French, some of whom...

New ReviewChina is the third-largest country in the world after Russia and Canada, covering 3.7 million square miles (9.6 million square kilometers). Its massive geography stretches from the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet in the west to the Yangtze...

New ReviewTraders came to the island of Singapore beginning in the thirteen century CE, and over the years commerce between Chinese, Arab, Indian, Thai, Malay, and Javanese traders resulted in a colorful mix of cultures and languages. Eventually...

New ReviewMyth indicates that Japan was founded in 660 BCE by Emperor Jimmu, but the first clear records, provided by the Chinese, are from almost one thousand years later. Since its beginnings, Japan has been heavily influenced by both the Korean...

New ReviewThe Japanese cities of Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe rank just after Tokyo in popularity, and each is unique in its landscape, local culture, and lifestyle. In traditional Kyoto, the pace of life is less frenetic than in Tokyo, and people tend...

New ReviewThe Japanese use chopsticks for all varieties of Japanese food, although some restaurants that are used to tourists can provide knives and forks. Learn why you should never leave your chopsticks standing upright in your rice and other...

New ReviewExplore cultural tips and etiquette for visiting people’s homes, especially when it comes to shedding your shoes and wearing guest slippers. Learn more about local practices for house slippers, toilet slippers, and even garden slippers....

New ReviewIn Japan, corporate entertainment is an ancient tradition, and good business relationships are dependent on good personal relationships. One of the most common ways business associates and clients develop personal relationships is by...

New ReviewThe Japanese love the physical pleasures in life, including drinking, dancing, and adult nightlife. Explore the range of entertainment options, from stylish bars and foreign-influenced pubs to movie-going and the arts. The Japanese enjoy...

New ReviewMany of the values and basic assumptions the Japanese make about life have their origins in Buddhism and Shintoism. The primacy of the group or the collective good and the value placed on maintaining harmony are particularly strong and...

New ReviewExplore the influence of religion on Japan over the centuries. Learn about Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion, which is still practiced but serves mainly as a source of traditional customs and festivals. It has slightly more followers...

New ReviewThe Japanese aren’t usually avid joke tellers, but put them in a group, and they’ll sometimes do humorous imitations of friends and colleagues. Such imitations aren’t considered rude; indeed, they’re often performed in front of the...

New ReviewAlong with many people around the world, the Japanese are becoming increasingly concerned about the environment. Among several environmental concerns being debated, garbage disposal has become, quite literally, a burning issue. Having...

New ReviewDepending on what country you call home, Japanese cooking and food preparation may be very different from what you are used to. Food in Japan ranges from traditional Japanese dishes to a wide range of foreign cuisines from around the...

New ReviewJapan has a population of approximately 126 million, more than twice that of the United Kingdom and less than half that of the United States. But with 333 people per square kilometer, Japan is one of the most densely populated countries...

New ReviewThe Japanese love to give gifts. The two main Japan-wide gift-giving seasons are July (Ochugen), when people wish each other summer greetings and good health, and December (Oseibo), to show appreciation for assistance offered during the...

New ReviewThe Japanese enjoy socializing as much as other people, but their behavior may seem formal and unfamiliar to someone from another culture. Learn key do's and don'ts to ensure that you behave appropriately in social and business...

New ReviewOne major difference between Japanese and Western companies is that in Japan, no one person is usually identified as the personality or power behind a company’s policy or business strategy. Instead, ideas and strategies usually are...