Japanese Workplace Culture: What Foreigners Need to Know
Japanese work culture is genuinely different from what most foreigners are used to. Some of it will make sense pretty quickly. Some of it will take longer. But understanding the basics upfront will save you from a lot of awkward moments and misread situations. Punctuality Means Something Different Here In most countries, showing up on time is fine. In Japan, showing up on time means you’re almost late. The unwritten rule: arrive 5–10 minutes early. Exactly on time feels slightly disrespectful to many Japanese colleagues. Late without notice is a serious problem. ...