New ReviewWhile Japan has long been considered extremely safe, no country, of course, is 100 percent safe. Economic problems have led to greater unemployment, and, according to the Japanese, relatively lower moral standards. A few years ago, any...

New ReviewIn Japan, there are two emergency numbers everyone should know: 110, to contact the police, and 119, to report a fire or request an ambulance. But be mindful that you’ll have to talk in Japanese, which is especially difficult when you’re...

New ReviewThe Japanese see themselves as unique in the world and love to talk about what makes them so. From their perspective, Western culture is taking over, so showing an interest in their customs and traditions is sure to make a good...

New ReviewThe Japanese currency is the yen. Coins are available in 1, 5, 10, and 100 yen, whereas notes are valued at 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 yen. Japan is still mainly a cash society, and many small businesses even pay salaries in cash. Unless...

New ReviewThroughout Japanese history, the Japanese have believed in the divine ancestry of the imperial family as one of Japan’s unique virtues. Explore the ancient legend about the divinity of the imperial family beginning with the sun goddess...

New ReviewFor all the attention Japan gets as a world leader in business and technology, it’s easy to forget how physically isolated and small the country is. This feature has impacted the Japanese perception of foreigners throughout history into...

New ReviewJapan’s legal system is based mainly on the model of prewar German and Soviet legal theory. Thus, the system is grounded not in judicial precedent but in the laws of the constitution. Culturally, the Japanese aren’t very litigious; they...

New ReviewJapan consists of eight regions and 47 prefectures or provinces. Each region has its own character, making Japan a country of contrasts. Starting from the northernmost end of the Japanese archipelago, the country’s eight regions are...

New ReviewLocated off the east coast of Asia, Japan consists of four main islands and a chain of several thousand islands that goes from north to south. A little larger than Italy and a little smaller than the state of California, the country is...

New ReviewSome management practices in Japan are distinctly Japanese, such as the formal rotation system in which personnel get relocated every two to three years—sometimes overseas. Many salarymen end up living apart from their families, often in...

New ReviewBusiness cards, called meishi, are very important in Japan, and the presentation is traditionally very ceremonial. At one time, people used both hands to give and receive cards. Nowadays, it’s more common to use one hand only. When...

New ReviewIn Japan, business practices are distinctly Japanese and have their roots in the local cultural values of tradition, patriarchy, respect for age, formality, cooperation, loyalty, and consensus-building. Corporate culture in Japan is...

New ReviewIn addition to bowing, the Japanese express respect by adding the suffix san to the end of another person's family name. This is similar to the English use of the titles Mr. and Mrs. Take care never to use san with your own name! The use...

New ReviewFine-tune management practices and learn practical tips for managing employees in Japan. Topics include making an effort to meet everyone in the office, bringing office gifts, and managing communications with employees and colleagues.

New ReviewMost foreign companies operating in Japan are subsidiaries of overseas multinationals. Some firms began as Japanese firms and eventually became affiliates of global firms through mergers and acquisitions. Learn how business reforms in...

New ReviewDid you know that business meetings in Japan tend to be more formal than in many other countries? Developing trust is absolutely key. Learn more about specific protocols for business meetings, including when to arrive, appropriate...

New ReviewJapan probably engaged in trade with China and Korea from as early as the third century. In the modern era, trade is increasingly important, especially with a well-crafted economic policy closely administered by the government in...

New ReviewJapanese firms have traditionally tended to be patriarchal, or mainly controlled by men. In Japanese culture, businesspeople often expect their firms to provide trips and entertainment, a practice that builds employee loyalty and...

New ReviewDo men and women in Japan still treat each other as they traditionally did in the past? Is the dramatically increasing number of women in the workplace affecting male-female relationships? Are Western influences undermining traditional...

New ReviewBecause Japan is such a long chain of islands from north to south, the climate is different from region to region. Kyushu is hotter in the summer than Tokyo, for instance, but also warmer in the winter. Farther south, Kochi prefecture,...

New ReviewJapan has high health standards, and the food and water are generally safe. You don’t have to worry about outbreaks of epidemics, either, but given the dense living conditions, don’t be surprised if you come down with a cold or the flu.

New ReviewAs Japan’s capital city and the hub of Japanese business, government, and finance, Tokyo is the number one destination for foreigners relocating to Japan. Japan’s largest city, which became the capital in 1868, is a study in contrasts,...

New ReviewThe island of Kyushu claims a long history of trade and interaction with Europe, evident in the numerous churches on the island, and with Korea and China, which has made the locals far more open to foreigners than other Japanese. It’s...

New ReviewThe standard dialect of Japanese is spoken throughout the country, although there are some regional differences in accent. English is taught in many schools and is the most common language other than Japanese that is spoken in the...