Differences between Japan and American free essay sample

With the development of globalization, the commercial activities between East and West has become one of the major lifeline almost dominated the world economy. Its representation can be attributed to the Japanese and U. S. economic and trade. As is well known, the United States is the superpower of the world, not only in military but also in economic. Japan is a small country, while considering the contribution to the world economic Japan still is a big country. So trade exchanges and business negotiations between these two countries is a systematic project because of different national culture, beliefs, values and norms. All of these differences may lead to some unpredictable issues in commercial activities if both side do not clearly know the difference. Japan is a typical oriental culture nurtured the country, while the United States is a combination of Western civilization itself nurtured the development of the United States set their own unique culture. These two contradictory business negotiations and cultural differences between countries and thus caused inconvenience to bring the negotiation process was affecting each other. Therefore, this progress report is going to discuss the differences between Japan and American, and try to give some suggested recommendations aimed to solve the problems in commercial activates. 2. Differences between Japan and American 2. 1 national culture difference As is known, Japan is an island country, ancient time was influenced by Chinese Confucian thought, formed a national unique isolation from outside environment. In the face of external human isolation, a self-defence will become more and more obvious and sensitive. It is in this case that they need to use a polite but not offend traditional methods of others to communicate with people. However, American history, it was only a few hundred years, but as one of the worlds largest nation of immigrants, including the formation of the cultural history of the United States can be traced to the history of the West. The original owner or the United States is the ruler over the Westerners from Europe. Facing of such a huge development space, they form a rich cultural patterns of young passion. These two different national culture were caused by history issues and may remain for a long period in the future. The emergence of conflicts is inevitable, and reverse this way of thinking is also unavoidable in different culture come together. The difference will be introduced in detail in the final report. 2. 2 communication and negotiation style differences These two countries have totally reverse styles in communication and commercial negotiation. To begin with, American businessmen are free to negotiate the rapid negotiation outcome. They do not pay attention to position, title and etiquette, the negotiation process does not focus on body language and posture, quickly cut to the chase. On the contrary, the Japanese negotiations nature is a very long time. They like to invite guests to drink tea several times before entering the topic. So that they can understand each others ins and outs, like jobs, interests, background and so on. Japanese businessmen are typical Asian style, they are more cautious than people in other countries, strong, patient, confident, motivated and active. They do not easily show their attitude during the negotiations. Americans like to use humour in the negotiation process, but the Japanese are polite and courteous. When they disagree, Japanese always keep silence and smile. Even the other party has lost his temper, Japanese still keep smiling. In the eyes of Westerners, this is rude, and even contempt for himself, and Japanese is just trying to show the gentleman. All of these communication differences will be associated with specific examples in final report. 2. 3 differences in Business Etiquette Business etiquette is an important aspects in commercial activities, and Japan has a different etiquette compared with American. To begin with, Americans often is nodded smiling, polite to say hello on the line, even at the first sight, not necessarily shake hands; and whether they are young or old, people often call them by their names. However, Japanese usually meet will greet each other, bowing, 15 degrees is the general etiquette, and 30 degrees for the common courtesy, 45 degrees is the most respected etiquette. If it is an acquaintance or friend, can take the initiative to shake hands or hug. Meet for the first time to do a 90 degree bow, mens hands hanging down with legs bowed, lady left hand pressure in the right hand on the lower abdomen before the bow, parallel read ‘the first meeting, please’. At the same time, the Japanese name and title is also very important, they like to call each other title without name. Secondly, changing business card is a significant process in commercial negotiation. Also, differences will occur during this process. Americans usually dont give each other cards, unless you want to keep in touch with each other. On the contrary, send business cards in Japan is very popular and common thing. Japanese businessmen meeting for the first time when the exchange of business cards. Usually, the young man or low status people will take the initiative to submit a business card to people of high status than their older or watching each other with respect of the eyes. But if both sides are not prepared card, they will take the initiative to the other simple self-introduction. Thus the differences in business etiquette are significant in commercial activities. 3. Suggested recommendations The way to solve the differences is to respect each others way of thinking and cultural impacts. Try to use each others way of thinking to explore the issue and the parties concerned to solve the problem involved in business negotiations. For instance, when Japanese communicate to Americans in the project, they ran out into the theme of the book directly, without veiled expression of his intention; In contrast, Americans in the project is the first book on the Japanese greeting his speech, and then slowly brewing an atmosphere, and finally the expression was suddenly intent. Thus, the both parties involved and had a smooth negotiation. Unpleasant thinking upside down on their cultural influence would not be produced, the contradiction between the two sides will eliminate or unpleasant. Good atmosphere will form a business negotiation, respect for each other will form a cooperative atmosphere. Secondly, Americans personality exposed, passionate, they believe that mutual tolerance in order to break the deadlock, willing to make concessions in the negotiations, the negotiations proceed smoothly. Americans pay attention to efficiency, shorten the negotiation time. In the process of negotiation to negotiation, they like a fact and a fact, one question after another discussion, finally complete the entire agreement. Thirdly, negotiations with the Americans coping skills. With American negotiations should have enthusiasm, confidence, to create a good atmosphere of negotiations, win. Negotiations with the Americans, the characteristics of attention should be paid to Americans rich for a supply of sth. and interested in package transactions, active use of the other forces to promote cooperation, a wide range of global balance, a package deal. At the same time, negotiations with the Americans must be punctual, efficient service to. 4. Conclusion When two very different cultural patterns that appear in the same place when the inevitable conflicts arise there. But in order to make way both to have survived a virtuous cycle, which means a win-win model, and thus will not be swallowed up or assimilated. Then you need both sides to respect each others culture conscious, respect each others thinking. On this basis, and learn each others essence, to its dregs, they belong to the cultural progress of sublimation. Upside of thinking certainly desirable, but it is also a historical period in ways that are bound to exist. In order to improve this negative cycle of communication, is that both sides need the efforts of the two sides can come up with is reversed brave enough to deal with, so will understand each others true intentions, mutual respect and harmonious development will be more exchanges with cooperation. All in all, the difference is there and what we need to do in commercial activities is to find it, realise it, and try to overcome it. Reference