Departments
Intermediate Japanese - Free Online Course
MEISHI
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business card
Business cards are used throughout the world, but they have special significance in Japan. The exchange of business cards is a very important part of an initial meeting between the representatives of two companies, and this exchange is somewhat ritualized.
In the United States or Canada, a business card may get barely a glance before it is tucked into a planner or shoved into a pocket. (They also make excellent bookmarks.) In Japan, however, such a casual treatment of a person’s business card would be considered unforgivably rude.
Suppose that Shinobu Tanaka, of Mitsutani Industries, receives Kyoko Watanabe’s card during the introductions phase of a meeting. Mr. Tanaka will hold Ms. Watanabe’s card with both hands for about ten seconds while he reads the information printed on the card. This is a way of showing respect for Ms. Watanabe, her position, and her company.
When attending a meeting in Japan, it is customary to lay the cards you have received during face up on the table space in front of you for reference throughout the meeting. This enables you to keep everyone’s name straight.
Since few foreigners can read Japanese, employees at large companies frequently have two-sided cards. One side contains the person’s name and title in Japanese, while the other side contains the same information in another language (usually English). Below is an example of what a bilingual business card might look like:
