Understanding Japanese Corporate Culture as a Foreigner

For foreigners working in Japan, understanding the company's customs will help them become accustomed to the workplace.
Like any other country, Japan has its own company customs and culture that are different from those of other countries.
This article will show you what company practices are generally and why they are valued.

What customs do Japanese companies have?

報連相 (“HOURENSOU”)

HOURENSOU is a combination of the words "report (HOUKOKU)", "contact (RENRAKU)" and "consult (SOUDAN)".
 
Report: This is to inform your supervisor or colleagues of the progress and results of your work.
Contact: This is the correct communication of what occurs on the job, from decisions made at meetings to customer complaints.
Consult: If you have any problems or concerns in the course of your work, ask your supervisor or colleagues for advice.
 
In Japanese companies, it is important to report, communicate, and consult.
This is because reporting whether the job is going well and if there are any problems along the way can prevent major problems.
From your supervisor's perspective, you can see how well the work is progressing and what issues are being addressed.
You will also work more easily if you work with your boss and colleagues instead of trying to do everything by yourself.

朝礼 (“CHOUREI”, Morning meeting)

In many Japanese companies, employees gather for a short meeting at the start of the morning workday.
This is called a morning meeting.
The morning meeting also makes it easier to switch from personal time to work.
 
In addition to greeting each other at the morning meeting, work progress and communications are shared there.
Knowing how the work is going before you start makes it easier to adjust your schedule.
Important communications may also be announced at the morning meeting, so listen carefully.
 
"夕礼 (“YUUREI”, evening meeting)" may be held at the end of the workday.

Drinking and dining

In Japan, many companies have drinking parties.
Drinking alcohol and having dinner together is an opportunity to build a good relationship with your colleagues.
In addition to after-work drinking parties, some companies have lunch meetings or BBQs on holidays.
Be careful not to drink too much alcohol when attending!

Customs you should know about

In Japanese companies, there are a few things that are not rules but should be followed and done.
These are also good customs to know when working for a Japanese company.

Pay attention to clothing and personal appearance.

The reason why personal appearance is important is to avoid making the people you work with feel uncomfortable and also to avoid negatively affecting the company's image.
 
For example, if you are meeting with someone outside the company and you are wearing a wrinkled shirt and tattered shoes.
Your company will be perceived by them as a sloppy image.
 
You represent the company and meet with people outside the company.
By dressing neatly, you can project the image of a trustworthy company that pays attention to detail.

Use a clean workplace

A clean workplace is more pleasant to work in than a messy one.
In Japan, in some workplaces, the entire staff may clean up after themselves.
To make our work easier, we try to keep large cardboard boxes and unused items out of the workplace.

Be on time.

In Japan, punctuality is highly valued.
This is because the idea is that if you are late, you are taking up someone else's time.
Therefore, get into the habit of preparing early for work and meetings so that you will be on time.
Absolutely no unexcused tardiness or unexcused absences.

Value teamwork.

In Japanese companies, you may often hear the term "teamwork.
Many companies emphasize the importance of everyone working together to achieve team and company goals as a whole.
If a colleague is in need, ask, "Is there anything I can do to help?".

Not the same as the work rules.

Habits such as reporting, grooming, and using a clean workplace, as described in this article, are not "employment regulations".
 
"Employment regulations" are rules between a company and its employees regarding working hours, salary, vacations, working conditions, and so on.
There are certain matters that employment regulations are required by law to specify.
Generally, employment regulations are explained to you when you join the company, so be sure to keep them in mind.
 
*Some companies may have a clothing and grooming policy in their work rules.

Conclusion

In this article, we have introduced Japanese company customs.
You may think these habits are unfamiliar.
If you are not sure what to do, observe how your colleagues around you are doing and ask questions.