Advice on Bridging Cultural Gaps?

[Aloha]

I've recently moved into a role where I'm having direct contact with peers in Japan, and I'm noticing what I'd call "cultural impedance" issues. Mostly, missteps in communication, mis-set expectations, etc.

I also feel like there are a bunch of other rules in play that I should know about, but do not have a good grasp on.

I'm wondering if there are any good books or other resources out there I can read about business communications in Japan, and how to improve how I communicate with my Japanese peers (aside from learning Japanese, which I'm pondering, but its a complex language, and seems daunting)?

[PragmaticPulp]

Find someone at the company who has spent time in both Japan and your country. Befriend them. They will be your best reference, by far.

If you’re struggling to find someone who fits that definition, don’t hesitate to branch out of your department. Often you can find someone in sales or other roles who has experience seeing both sides of these interactions.

The books and guides can be okay for learning specific faux pas to avoid, but they’re not as useful for learning what to actually do.

In general, it’s hard to go wrong with a focus on simply being a good coworker (being on time to meetings, respecting others’ time, following through on everything you say you’ll do) and also remaining more formal (minimize joking around, friendly smiles are good but don’t get too casual too quickly, dress appropriately for business even if you’re on a video call).

[D0rk0]

If I met you on the road somewhere and you asked this and I only had a few minutes to impart a few ideas I would narrow it down according to the idea of First Principles. Above all else... what is that one thing that is the most essential critical thing for Japanese? What do the Japanese value above all else, irrespective of suggestions you'll hear like loyalty... cultural background, race, language ability, likability, social status, popularity etc.... I'd have to say... excellence.

The Japanese are in awe of excellence, the pursuit of excellence etc... they are positively neurotic when it comes to the idea of pursuing an endeavor to the end of its achievable level of excellence. If you are able to achieve excellence in your job, you will earn so much goodwill, that everything else will be smooth sailing.

My dad and I were talking about his stint as a consultant for a major Japanese industrial electronics giant, supposedly the cutting edge forte of Japanese excellence... but he discovered they were completely clueless. He didn't speak a word Japanese, didn't socialize much with any of the executives, didn't imbibe... did nothing the Japanese would really approve of in terms of how they approach their work culture... but... he could outwork them... out-think them and most importantly... out-innovate them. He finished a one-year contract in 6 months, got along swingingly with everyone and had fond memories of the experience.

Be excellent. The rest will take care of itself.

[gus_massa]

This is not what you are asking, but it may help. There is an old post by patio11 "Doing Business In Japan" https://www.kalzumeus.com/2014/11/07/doing-business-in-japan... HN discussions https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8573992 (818 points | Nov 7, 2014 | 308 comments ) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12885435 ( 185 points | Nov 6, 2016 | 51 comments)

[svilen_dobrev]

find a friend to be your senses.

and have a look here:

https://www.hofstede-insights.com/product/compare-countries/

if the bridge/gap is all too long, that friend might be better from somewhere in the middle of it. As long s/he has something very common with one side and (another) something very common with other side, might be ok.

The one side of the bridge is -you- , and not just a generic culture ~description like above..

You'll also need to grasp the culture, or at least some of the "why"s..

e.g. watch "Stupeur et tremblements"

mail if u want more