Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands, Sales and Marketing: The Essential Cultural Guide—From Presentations and Promotions to Communicating and Closing

WORKWEEK

While the standard workweek may officially be 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday to Friday, many employees work far later into the evening and will attend after-hours events with coworkers and/or business clients. Socializing after hours is essentially mandatory to conduct business in Japan.

In 2011, there were 18 holidays in Japan—all of which may be observed and paid for as well. Avoid scheduling appointments during the three major holiday breaks, because many people travel, hotels are more expensive, and work can be difficult to accomplish. The three significant holidays are New Year (January 1st), Golden Week (which falls between the end of April and the beginning of May), and Obon (around the middle of August in most of Japan). Obon ...