Communication in the contemporary society takes many forms that include behavior, words, or materials aspects. Behavior is critical because it gives crucial information about other people. Words are the most widely used communication mediums while material aspects are used to signify power or possession (Nagy 160). Undertaking a business negotiation between an American and a Japanese can be puzzling and uncomfortable. This can be attributed to the interaction of the two different cultures that involve different behaviors and customers. For this reason, it is emphatically crucial that a business person understands the cross cultural aspects between the American and Japanese cultures. Failure to be conversant with cross-cultural aspects leads to misunderstandings, dismissal, or stagnation of the communication or negotiation (Nagy 163). This guide provides the important information about improving communication between the American and Japanese cultures.
Accepting and Appreciating Diversity
The American and Japanese cultures are diverse in their own ways because aspects that might be acceptable by Japanese standards might not be acceptable by American standards. For this reason, accepting and respecting each other’s culture forms the first step in communication (Zayani, 52).
Business cultures and practices
Japanese value business meetings and they will turn up in dark suits of dark gray, brown, or navy blue. These colors are considered acceptable in business meetings and often fasten the high buttons of their suits. They also love exchanging business cards. While greeting a client, talking to a boss, or exchanging business cards, the Japanese prefer standing up. If they are receiving the business card, they will do so using 2 hands.
On the other hand, the Americans do not like shaking hands but instead prefer to offer verbal greeting such as “How are you” or “Fine, thank you.” A Japanese might perceive the informal greeting nature as being lack of respect but the American’s use it to manifest the belief of equality. If handshakes have to be involved, they are usually brief and firm. Like the Japanese, they prefer sharing greetings while standing. Dress codes among the Americans vary from one region to the next. Men prefer suits provided everything matches including the socks. Color of the suit is not very relevant.
Metaphors, humor, and symbols
Context
This entails meanings surrounding certain events. Different cultures use contexts to identify meaning to a given situation. The American culture is a Low-Context (LC) because they love their communication to be brief and only address the important factual parts. The Japanese culture is a High-Context culture because the Japanese belief in understanding a lot information and in most conversations they would not require in-depth details because they be knowing it already (Zayani, 53).
Communication styles
Americans prefer to communicate directly and concise to the point regarding the issue under discussion. A Japanese might want to pass a message by communicating artfully using indirect hints. This explains why they prefer using intermediaries on delicate and important issues. Body language is less used within the American culture because verbal communication assumes dominance. However, the Japanese do not trust words so much and therefore, they tend to use non-verbal and mutual feelings to pass a message across. Facial expressions, silence, or pauses during a conversation are huge forms of expression. During communication, the Japanese will depend on relationships, feelings, or cohesion to win a negotiation while the Americans believe in the power of persuasion to explain facts and convince the other part to believe their point of view. This brings in the aspect of objective reality.
Objective reality
Reliance of facts characterizes the American culture and most Americans tend to justify their reasons and actions of proven facts. Although the Japanese value hard facts, they trust feelings, intuitions, and relationships more than they mere facts. Both cultures value time. In case of lateness, an American will use the opportunity to explain the reasons for lateness or other reasons that might justify their lateness. On the other hand, the Japanese will first apologize for being late and show remorse. Reasons for being late are not as important as the relationship.
Conclusion
Work Cited
Nagy, Emese, et al. "The Neural Mechanisms Of Reciprocal Communication." Brain Research 1353. (2010): 159-167
Zayani, Mohamed. "Media, Cultural Diversity And Globalization: Challenges And Opportunities." Journal Of Cultural Diversity 18.2 (2011): 48-54
