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Japan
Brief Fact File| Capital | Tokyo |
| Currency | Yen (JPY) |
| Language(s) | Japanese |
| Local time | GMT + 09:00 |
| Telephone code | 81 |
| Major cities | Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Kyoto |
Economy
The economy of Japan ranks second in the world, after the USA. It is the largest manufacturer of machine tools in the world, leading automobile manufacturer and the most important steel maker. Manufacturing and service industry contributes mainly to GDP. It is one of the world's major fishing nations though it accounts only a tiny percentage of GDP. The three main trade partners for both exports as well as imports are the United States, China and South Korea.
Major Exports:
- Transport Equipment
- Motor Vehicles
- Semiconductors
- Machinery
- Textiles
- Chemicals
- Foodstuffs
- Non-metallic mineral manufactures
- Metals
- Transport equipment
- Machinery And Equipment
- Fuels
- Foodstuffs
- Chemicals
- Clothing and accessories
- Raw Materials
- Mineral fuels
- Semiconductors
- Audio visual apparatuses
Business Dress
- Dress according to one's status or position. It impresses the
Japanese.
- Men should wear dark conservative attire. Business suits are most
suitable. Casual dress is inappropriate.
- Shoes should be easily removable, as one will do so often.
Slip-ons are the best choice.
- Women's dress should be conservative. Little emphasis should be
placed on accessories.
- Women should avoid wearing pants in a business situation.
- Women should wear low-heeled shoes to avoid towering over men.
- A kimono should be wrapped left over right. The otherwise
symbolizes death.
- Remember the Japanese phrase "The nail that sticks up gets
hit with the hammer" when considering your choices for attire
in Japan.
- Avoid using large hand gestures, unusual facial expressions and
any dramatic movements. They do not talk with their hands.
- Avoid the "OK" sign; in Japan it means money.
- Pointing in not acceptable.
- Do no blow nose in public
- Personal space is valued. Because the Japanese live in such a
densely populated area, they value their personal space.
- In Japan, business cards are called meishi. Japanese exchange
meishi with both hands. It should be printed in home language on one
side and Japanese on the other. Present the card with one's home
country language side up.
- In Japan, businessmen are call "sarariman."
- Take special care in handling cards that are given. Do not write
on the card. Do not put the card in pocket or wallet, as either of
these actions will be viewed as defacing or disrespecting the
business card. Examine the card carefully as a show of respect.
- In a business situation, business cannot begin until the meishi
exchange process is complete.
- The customary greeting is the bow and it should be returned with
a bow. However, some Japanese may greet you with a handshake, albeit
a weak one. Do not misinterpret a weak handshake as an indication of
character.
- In introductions use the person's last name plus the word san
which means Mr. or Ms. The Japanese prefer to use last names. If you
are uncertain about the pronunciation of a name, ask for assistance.
- The Japanese prefer not to use the word no. If one ask a question
they may simply respond with a yes but clearly mean no.
Understanding this is critical in the negotiation process.
- In Asia the number 14 is bad luck, because in Japanese it sounds like the word 'shuh-shuh', which sounds like the word for death.
9.00 am to 3 pm - Banks (Monday to Friday)
Note:- It is quite difficult to find cash machines that accept non-Japanese credit cards.
Important Contacts
Associations / Ministries
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
1-3-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8901
Tel.: +(81)-(3)-35011511
E-mail: webmail@meti.go.jp
Website: http://www.meti.go.jp
Indian Embassy / Counsulate
Embassy of India
2-2-11 Kudan-minami
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0074
Tel.: +(81)-(3)-32622391
Fax: +(81)-(3)-32344866
E-mail: indembjp@gol.com
Website: http://www.embassy-avenue.jp/india
Consulate General of India, Osaka
Osaka-Kobe Semba I.S. Building, 10th Floor
9-26, Kyutaromachi
1 Chome ,Chuo-ku
Osaka 541, Japan
Tel.: +(81)-(6)-62627299, 62619299, 6261733
Fax: +(81)-(6)-62617799
E-mail: cgindia@gol.com
Working Hours:
9.00 am to 11.00 am - Collection of visa applications (Monday to Friday)
5.00 pm to 5.30 pm - Delivery of processed documents (Monday to Friday)
Visiting this country
Business Visa Rules for Japan
Business Visitor Visas are known as "Temporary Visitor or Short-Term Stay Visa"
Allowable Activities as a Business Visitor
The allowable activities of business visitors are typically limited to the following:
- Business Meetings or Conferences;
- Market Surveys;
- Business Liaison;
- Contract Signing;
- After-Sales Service
There is no specific visa category to cover short-term, technical duties in Japan. Therefore, it is better to review the nature of any technical activities to be performed in Japan prior to departure in order to confirm that a work permit is not needed.
Maximum Period of Stay as a Business Visitor
- The maximum period is 90 days within a "given" 365-day
period (not one calendar year).
- A business visitor visa is not extended.
The following basic requirements for Business Visitors are subject to change or modification by the Labor and Immigration Authorities of Japan:
- Applicant must have a residence and an employer outside of Japan,
and must be traveling to Japan for a defined, limited pre-set
period, not to exceed 90 days.
- Applicant may not receive compensation from sources within Japan
and must be employed and paid by their home country employer during
the period of the visit. However, Business Visitors may accept meals
or costs of sight-seeing or other entertainment as gestures of
courtesy or gifts, provided these are not tantamount to being paid
or employed by a party other than the visitor's home country
employer.
- Applicant must have proof of adequate funds to defray expenses
while on the visit.
- Applicant must have specific, realistic and pre-determined plans
for his or her stay in Japan.
- The period of stay must be consistent with the intended purpose of the trip.
| Festival | Date | Detail |
| New Year | 1 January | |
| Coming-of-Age Day | Second Monday of January | All people who turn 20 this year are celebrated on this national holiday. |
| Setsubun | February 3 | This traditional holiday marks the beginning of the season of spring. |
| National Foundation Day | February 11 | |
| Valentine's Day | February 14 | |
| Hinamatsuri | March 3 | Not a national holiday. Also known as Girls' Festival, Momo no sekku (the Peach Festival). |
| White Day | March 14 | The reverse of Valentine's Day, when a man buys his special woman a treat. Not a national holiday. |
| Vernal equinox | Around March 21 | A national holiday. |
| Flower Festival | April 8 | Buddha's birthday. |
| Greenery Day | April 29 | It is also the start of Golden Week. |
| Constitution Memorial Day | May 3 | |
| "Between Day" | May 4 | When a day is sandwiched between two national holidays, that day shall also become a holiday. |
| Children's Day | May 5 | Also known as Boys' Festival, Tango no sekku (the Iris Festival). |
| Tanabata | July/August 7 | Not a national holiday. Also known as the day of the Star Festival. |
| Marine Day | Third Monday of July | |
| Bon Festival | July/August 13-15 | Not a national holiday though many companies close their offices. |
| Respect for the Aged Day | Third Monday of September | |
| Autumnal equinox | Around September 23 | |
| Health and Sports Day | Second Monday of October | Created in 1966 after the opening day of Tokyo Olympics. |
| Culture Day | November 3 | |
| Shichi-Go-San | November 15 | A Shinto holiday celebrating a child's accomplishment of achieving the critical ages of 3, 5, or 7. Not a national holiday. |
| Labour Thanksgiving Day | November 23 | |
| The Emperor's Birthday | December 23 | |
| Christmas | December 24-25 | Not a national holiday. |
| Omisoka | December 31 | Not a national holiday. |
Travel Tips
- Tips are not expected in Japan since hotels and restaurants add
to the bill a service charge of 10-20%. However, if a person wishes
to show particular appreciation of a service, money should not be
given in loose change form but it should be given as a small
financial gift. Special printed envelops are available for financial
gifts of this type.
- The departure tax depends on the airport, for eg. it is ¥2040
from Narita Airport. Children under 12 are charged half price and
under two are exempted. It is usually paid while purchasing the
tickets and not at the airport.
- The goods which can be taken without incurring customs duty are
400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco or combination of
these to the extent of 500g. Three bottles of spirits, 57ml of
perfume and gifts up to the value of ¥200,000.
- Electricity of Japan is of 100 volts AC, 60Hz in the west
(Osaka), 50Hz in the east and Tokyo. Flat 2-pin plugs are used.
- Food and drink are basically safe but there remains a small risk
of parasitic infection and toxins from raw seafood.
- Though Japan is relatively a safe country healthwise, but it is
advisable to take out Travel Insurance for the duration of the stay.
- Make two photocopy of the passport, credit cards and other valuables. Leave one at home and pack other in your luggage, separate from the original.
