Japanese Workplace Culture

Learn the unspoken rules of Japanese workplaces and the points that often confuse foreign employees.

Japanese workplace culture can feel surprising in many ways. Understanding the basics in advance can make starting work much smoother.

Time expectations

• It is common to arrive before your official start time. Arriving exactly on time is not late, but it can still leave a weaker impression.
• Paid leave is a legal right, but in Japan many people still use it cautiously. It is common to discuss plans with your supervisor in advance.
• Overtime is still common in some workplaces, although things have improved in recent years.

Communication style

• People often avoid saying “no” directly. Phrases like “That may be difficult” or “We will consider it” may function as a refusal.
• Disagreeing with your boss is often handled privately rather than openly in a meeting.
• Emails and reports are expected to use polite language.
• The concept of hou-ren-sou—report, inform, and consult—means you should keep your supervisor updated regularly.

Common greetings at work

• When arriving: “Ohayou gozaimasu”
• When leaving the office during the day: “Ittekimasu,” and coworkers reply “Itterasshai”
• When leaving for the day: “Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu,” and coworkers often reply “Otsukaresama deshita”
• “Otsukaresama” is a very common phrase meaning something like “Thanks for your hard work.”

After-work drinking culture

Drinking gatherings can still be an important social space in some workplaces.

• Participation is not legally mandatory, but some teams still create a sense that joining is expected.
• If you do not drink alcohol, it is fine to say so clearly and order a soft drink instead.
• Since the pandemic, forced participation has generally become less common.

Business cards

Exchanging business cards is treated as an important ritual.

• Offer and receive cards with both hands.
• Treat cards respectfully. Do not immediately shove them into a wallet or write on them in front of the person.
• During a meeting, people often place received cards on the table.

As a foreign employee

• Even if your Japanese is not fluent, a willingness to communicate is highly valued.
• Asking questions honestly is usually better than staying silent and making mistakes.
• It helps if you show that you are trying to understand cultural differences rather than ignoring them.