04/21/23 1

Food & Beverage Meals

The typical Japanese meal consists of a bowl of rice (gohan), a bowl of miso soup (miso shiru), pickled vegetables (tsukemono) and fish or meat.

Bentō, boxed meals in Japan, are very common and constitute an important ritual during lunch

A meal at a more average restaurant costs roughly between 1,000 and 3,000 Yen

Sticky, short-grained rice is the staple food, uncooked rice is called kome Rice is generally eaten plain or sometimes with nori (dried-pressed seaweed)

or furikake (various seasonings). In Japanese restaurants, customers are given a rolled hand towel called

oshibori Soybean is a key ingredient without which Japanese food wouldn't exist. Tofu,

miso, natto and soy sauce are all made from soybeans.

Beer is the most popular alcohol beverage in Japan, and Japanese sake (rice wine) is the second most popular, and an important part of Shinto religion and Japanese culture

If alcohol is served, DO NOT drink from the bottle. Pour the beverage into a cup or glass provided and then drink Tipping is not customary in Japan.

Beverage

JAPAN Country Profile – Karen Ostromecki

04/21/23 2

Legal Systems, Reporting Requirements, & Regulations

Government type: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government

Independence: 660 BC (traditional founding by Emperor JIMMU)

National holiday: Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933)

Constitution: 3 May 1947

Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal

The Japanese Constitution contains thirty-one articles relating to human rights and it also provides for the separation of three powers: Legislative, Judicial and Governmental power.

The law of Japan was historically heavily influenced by Chinese law

The modernization of the Law of Japan was based on the European legal system.

JAPAN Country Profile – Karen Ostromecki

04/21/23 3

Legal Systems, Reporting Requirements, & Regulations

A firms ability to borrow may also be based on its personal relationship and rapport with bank officials rather than on typical US standards of credit worthiness.

For US companies with operations in Japan, teaming up with Japanese partners in a joint venture has been effective as a way to receive better treatment from Japanese Banks.

The Japanese government has removed most legal restrictions on exports and foreign investments in Japan

Under the Economic Partnership for growth, the US and Japanese governments have worked to cut regulations in sectors of key economic importance where US firms are globally competitive – telecommunications, medical equipment, energy, information technology, insurance and financial services

04/21/23 4

Technology Mobile technology

Mobile subscriber penetration77.6%, Internet user penetration34.3%, Broadband subscriber penetration

Japan is a leader in mobile phone (keitai denwa) technology and usage with about 75% of the population owning one.

The only foreign phones that work in Japan are some 3G models, however the number of compatible phones is increasing.

Japanese research and development efforts increasingly stress what one Japanese policymaker calls the "fusion" solution, or combining advances in different technologies to generate new products and innovations.

Electronic goods, such as TVs, stereo sets, cameras and computers are relatively inexpensive at stores like Yamada Denki, Yodobashi Camera, Sakuraya and Bic Camera, and in discount shopping areas like Akihabara in Tokyo.

Japan leads the world in robotics, possessing more than half (402,200 of 742,500) of the world's industrial robots used for manufacturing.

JAPAN Country Profile – Karen Ostromecki

04/21/23 5

Technology Differences

Telephones - main lines in use: 47.579 million (2008)country comparison to the world: 4

Telephones - mobile cellular: 110.395 million (2008)country comparison to the world: 7

Telephone system: general assessment: excellent domestic and international service domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind international: country code – 81

Radio broadcast stations: AM 215 (plus 370 repeaters), FM 89 (plus 485 repeaters), shortwave 21 (2001)

Television broadcast stations: 211 (plus 7,341 repeaters); in addition, US Forces are served by 3 TV stations and 2 TV cable services (1999)

Internet country code: .jp

Internet hosts: 47.249 million (2009)country comparison to the world: 2

Internet users: 90.91 million (2008)country comparison to the world: 3

04/21/23 6

Infrastructure Transportation in Japan is modern and infrastructure

spending has been large.

Roads A single network of high-speed, divided, limited-access toll roads

connects major cities and are operated by toll-collecting enterprises.

Japan has 1,152,207 km of highways with 863,003 km (including 6,114 km of expressways) paved and 289,204 km of unpaved ways (1997 est.).

Japan has left-hand traffic Trains

total: 23,506 km country comparison to the world: 11 Each train travels as quickly as 300 kilometers per hour. All trains are known for punctuality. Japan is the most railway using nation per capita

Waterways 1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas)

JAPAN Country Profile – Karen Ostromecki

04/21/23 7

Infrastructure Airports

There are 173 airports, and the largest domestic airport, Haneda Airport, is Asia's busiest airport.The largest international gateways are: Narita International Airport (Tokyo area), Kansai International Airport (Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto

area) Chūbu Centrair International Airport (Nagoya

area) Heliports

Total: 14, Rank: 15 Marine Transport

There are 1770 km of Waterways in Japan; seagoing craft ply all coastal inland seas.

The scheduled international passenger routes are to China, Russia, South Korea and Taiwan.

Bridges The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge is the longest-span

suspension bridge in the world, whose total length and central span length are 3,911m and 1,991m

Pipeline Japan has 84 km of pipelines for crude oil, 322 km for

petroleum products, and 1,800 km for natural gas. Port

Chiba, Kawasaki, Kobe, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Tomakomai, Yohohama

.

JAPAN Country Profile – Karen Ostromecki

04/21/23 8

Utlities & Public Safety

Utilities such as gas, water and especially electricity are expensive, and phone rates are high. For international calls, consider internet phones, callback services and other offers for the expat community

Coal imports by Japan reached 186 Mt [million tonnes - ed] in 2007, which was an increase of 5.2% compared with those of 2006.

In solar power, Japan ranks third in the world for installed capacity, behind only Germany and Spain

Crime in Japan is lower than in many other first world countries.

JAPAN Country Profile – Karen Ostromecki

04/21/23 9

Time Zone, Time Perceptions, & Political Systems What time is it? - Nan ji desu ka. - 何時ですか。

Japan is 14 hours ahead of New York (standard time) and 9 hours ahead of London.

Time perception between urban and rural population is observed to be shifting in Japan. People in a bustling city like Tokyo, even being the Eastern city that it is, surely must monitor time more closely and break it down into finer units than they used to as Japan's competitor status in the world market escalates.

The Japanese believe strongly in 'no hidden surprises' and are committed to a very high degree of predictability and consistent reliability (not just reliability).

This is reflected in their business practices and everyday living, such that the train or bus schedule would read "Arrival: 8.23 p.m." and the train or bus would pull in exactly at that time!

People in Japan, on the other hand, arrive for meetings at least 5 minutes before a scheduled 9:00 a.m. appointment! The simple logic is that it takes about 5 minutes to get seated and settled in and the meeting is support to START at 9 a.m.

JAPAN Country Profile – Karen Ostromecki

04/21/23 10

Political System

The politics of Japan is conducted in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, where Prime Minister of Japan is the head of government.

The current government is led by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama

Most political parties in Japan are small and do not have broad, mass memberships; their members are mainly professional politicians.

The ruling coalition is formed by the liberal Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the leftist Social Democratic Party and the conservative People's New Party

The Imperial Household of Japan is headed by Emperor Akihito

Military: Sixth largest in the world

Foreign Relations Close with the United States - Japan maintains close economic and military

relations with its key ally and partner, the United States, and therefore the US-Japan security alliance serves as the cornerstone of its foreign policy.

JAPAN Country Profile – Karen Ostromecki

04/21/23 11

Economy The Japanese economy is one of the largest in the world Japan's farming population has been declining steadily and was less than 5% of the

total population in 2004; agriculture accounted for less than 2% of the gross domestic product.

Fishing is highly developed, and the annual catch is one of the largest in the world. Japanese industry is concentrated mainly in S Honshu and N Kyushu, with centers at

Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, and Nagoya. 20.1% of outsourcing firms outsourced their job training, compared with 19.7% for

information systems, 17.4% for production processes, 14% for accountancy and tax affairs and 13.7% for R&D.

JAPAN Country Profile – Karen Ostromecki

Exports: Cars, electronic devices and computers. Most important trade partners are China

and the USA, followed by South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Germany.

Imports: The most important import goods are raw materials such as oil, foodstuffs and wood.

Major supplier is China, followed by the USA, Australia, Saudia Arabia, South Korea, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.

Industries: Manufacturing, construction, distribution, real estate, services, and communication

are Japan's major industries today. Agriculture makes up only about two percent of the GNP. Most important agricultural product is rice. Resources of raw materials are very limited and the mining industry rather small.

04/21/23 12

Japanese Culture as Export 10% of GNP is ‘cultural export’ material

300% growth in cultural exports between 1996-2008

Foreign Ministry have started traveling abroad to introduce Japanese pop culture to young people overseas.

Anime, manga and cosplay are part of “Japanese youth culture” and have proven surprisingly popular with young people around the world.

JAPAN Country Profile – Karen Ostromecki

04/21/23 13

Industrialization & Energy Resources Leading Auto Makers

JAPAN Country Profile – Karen Ostromecki

04/21/23 14

Business Protocol Understanding Foreign ways

Japanese understand that it is very difficult for foreigners to work in Japan. They will not expect you to speak or read Japanese, or be conversant with their strict cultural

nuances and protocol. Japan has great health care, team culture, and socialization outside office hours.

Relationships and Communication Japanese prefer to do business on the basis of personal relationships. It is important to be a good correspondent as the Japanese hold this in high esteem.

Business Meeting Etiquette Japanese prefer to do business on Appointments are required and, whenever possible, should be made several weeks in advance. It is best to telephone for an appointment rather than send a letter, fax or email The most senior Japanese person will be seated furthest from the door, with the rest of the

people in descending rank until the most junior person is seated closest to the door. Always provide a package of literature about your company including articles and client

testimonials. Business Negotiation

Japanese are non-confrontational. They have a difficult time saying 'no', so you must be vigilant at observing their non-verbal

communication. Never lose your temper or raise your voice during negotiations.

Dress Etiquette Business attire is conservative.

Business Cards Business cards are exchanged constantly and with great ceremony It is wise to have one side of your business card translated into Japanese. During a meeting, place the business cards on the table in front of you in the order people are

seated Treat the business card you receive as you would the person

JAPAN Country Profile – Karen Ostromecki