Order # 318667
Japan is a “land of the rising sun” and is full of mystery for strangers. That’s why in order to start beneficial trade with Japanese, a businessman should be prepared.
First of all, let’s speak about trade regulation. On 25 March 2013, the EU and Japan officially launched the negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement. The Free Trade Agreement sets rules for international trade and investments, for example non-tariff barriers, tax exemptions and a national investment regime for foreign investments (Countries and regions: Japan. Trade picture). The singing of this agreement will simplify business process between two regions. This issue is of mutual interest, both for Japan and EU, because:
- For EU Japan is second biggest trading partner in Asia, after China.
- For Japan European market is very attractive, mostly because of a high purchasing power of population (Countries and regions: Japan. Trade picture).
In general, trade situation between Japan and EU is experiencing a period of liberalization.
What concerns the environmental regulation, Japan making a considerable effort to protect the environment by developing, among others, necessary statutory control. Insofar pollution control appears to be more strict then elsewhere. The main legislation in this field is The Basic Environment Plan was drawn up in December 1994 (Kanazawa, 1998) . The Basic Environment Plan is designed to engage all sectors of the society in a concerted effort to protect the environment. The Plan sets the basis of the environmental policy and specifies four long-term objectives: Environmentally Sound Material Cycle, Harmonious Coexistence, Participation, and International Activities.
On the basis of two major events: the adoption of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, which established new global targets for biodiversity, and the occurrence of Great East Japan Earthquake, Japanese government approved The National Biodiversity Strategy 2012-2020 Japan Environment Quarterly , 2013). This strategy mainstream into all areas of business and is needed to be taken into account not only by domestic businessmen but also for those foreigners, who want to trade with Japan.
And finally, what is very important is a unique Japanese culture. The Japanese honor their traditions, that’s why it is very important for a foreigner to get acquainted with them. Here are a few tips for proper Japanese business etiquette:
- Prepare your business card. In Japan there exist a tradition of exchanging business cards – meishi.
- Avoid keeping your hands in a pocket, neither put in a pocket meishi given to you.
- Greet your Japanese partner with a bow, not a handshake.
- Addressing to a person, use his last name plus a word SAN.
- Be prepared to conduct business negotiations during a meal. Never left your glass unfilled and never fill it for your own, ask someone to do it.
- Tipping is not expected.
- If being invited to any event, don’t try to be sharply punctual. It is the custom to be "fashionably late."
- Entering a home or other sitting areas remove your shoes.
- Remember the rule “not to lose one’s face”. You are not to do something objectionable in a relation to yourself or anyone else (Rogers, 2012) .
It is a well-known fact for business world that Japan is not an easy market for Europeans. For example, printing a label on goods or a billboard, remember that they are read from right to left. One pharmaceutical company collapsed in Japanese market because they print pictures on the pills from stomachache in European manner. What did a Japanese see looking at that label? You was fine, than you take a pill and your stomach began to pain. Of course, nobody buy such a pill.
Here are only few peculiarities of making business with Japan. In order to succeed, a businessman should carefully study a country of his future business. It is good and useful to read its legislation, culture, business environment. Success in trading depends not only from a unique product but also from a good presentation.
References
Countries and regions: Japan. Trade picture. Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/japan/
Japan Environment Quarterly ( 2013). Volume 1, march 2013. 4-5.
Kanazawa, Y. (1998) Environmental regulation for foreign trade and investment in Japan. 129-138.
Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan. Retrieved from http://www.env.go.jp/en/
Rogers, G. (2012). A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Business Interactions. 36-39.
Sunesen, E.R., Francois, J. F., & Thelle, M. H. (2009). Assessment of barriers to trade and investment between the EU and Japan. Final report, 86-88.
