203: Japan Is Very Formal In Business

<p>Emperors and fishmongers.  The opposite end of the social spectrum, but in Japan, I discovered the levels of formality in meetings was unnervingly similar.  Find out more in this week’s show.</p> <p> </p> <p>Formality in Japan is linked very closely to what is perceived as being polite.  European countries may feel more familiar with Japanese style formality, but for countries like the US, Australia, Canada etc., this level of formality is not the usual.  There is a sense of formality here in Japan that is unexpected and sometimes hard to fathom for most foreigners. </p> <p> </p> <p>The most formal meeting I have ever attended in Japan was when I met the current Emperor in his palace.  When every new Ambassador arrives in Japan, they go to the palace to present their credentials.  This was the case with Australian Ambassador John McCarthy, while I was Country Head for Austrade at the Embassy.  The Ambassadors don’t go to the palace on their own. They have their entourage of senior officials from the Embassy with them and I was in that group.  There is a special waiting room for you at Tokyo Station and then you are taken by horse drawn carriage with a mounted escort to the palace.  A senior Japanese Cabinet member attends you, in our case, the Minister of State for Financial Services was Heizo Takenaka.</p> <p> </p> <p>There are numerous points of protocol when greeting the Emperor – how you walk, stand, move, speak, sit etc.  Formal beyond words is how I would describe the atmosphere.  The second most formal meeting I have been to in Japan was with some fishmongers in Osaka.  I was introducing Australian Ambassador Dr. Ashton Calvert to various importers dealing with Australia.  This seafood business was a large one and a big customer of Australian produce.</p> <p> </p> <p>They had the entire echelon of senior management turn out for the meeting with the Ambassador, it was a very stiff affair, a complete ceremony in itself.  The formality was quite breathtaking.  I never expected that fishmongers could be tha