Business Etiquette in Japan

Meeting Etiquette
Greeting in Japan are very formal and ritualized;
It can be seen as impolite to introduce to yourself, even in a large gathering;
In introductions use the person’s name plus the word san which means Mr or Ms;
The Japanese prefer using last names;
Traditional form of greeting is the bow. How far you bow depends upon your relationship to the other person as well as the situation. The deeper you bow, the more respect you show;
A lazy greeting is regarded with type of disdain that would accompany a limp handshake in parts of the West;
Gift giving etiquette
Gift giving is highly ritualistic and meaningful;
Presenting the gift and the way it is wrapped is as important-sometimes more important than the gift itself;
Do not give lilies, camellias or lotus blossoms as they are associated with funerals;
Do not give white flowers of any kind as they are associated with funerals;
Do not give potted plants as they encourage sickness, although a bonsai tree is always acceptable.…