JAPAN - FACTS AND FIGURES

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Area: 377, 750 km2

Population: 125.6 million (October, 1995)

Population Growth: 0.48% (October, 1995)

Capital: Tokyo

System of Government: Representative Democracy

Head of State: HM Emperor Akihito

Prime Minister: Ryutaro Hashimoto

Key Government Ministers: Hiroshi Mitsuzuka, Finance Minister; Yukihiko Ikeda, Foreign Minister; Shinji Sato, International Trade and Industry Minister

Language: Japanese

Literacy Rate: 99%

Ethnic Background: Japanese

Religion: The Japanese are very tolerant of different faith and it is not unusual for an individual to subscribe to more than one. Most Japanese will marry in the Shinto faith and be buried in the Buddhist faith. In 1991, 86% of the population practised Shintoism, 77% Buddhism, 1.2% Christianity, and 9% other non-Christian faiths.

Currency: C$ 1.00 = 80.70 Yen (average, week ending September 27, 1996)

 

Travelling to Japan on business? These hints could help you...

 

• Japanese usually bow to each other, but, if they are doing business with Westerners, don't worry, they will shake your hand!
  
  
• Give out your business card after the introductions. Do you want to earn some bonus points? Print one side of the card in Japanese. One more thing to remember...when you are exchanging cards, use both hands.
  
  
• Calling someone by "Miss, Mr, Mrs." is fine but the traditional way of greeting someone is to call them by their family name and then by the title
  "--san." Call the "head honchos" of the company by their title (eg) Mr. President.
  
  
• Always make appointments and be on time for both social and business meetings. The first meeting is very important...you know, the whole "first impressions" thing!
  
  
• A lot of respect is given to age and position in a company..so give the deserved respect and everybody will be happy.
  
  
• "Peaceful" meetings are greatly appreciated. Do not yell at or embarress anyone in public.
  
  
• Whatever you do, be patient! Meetings tend to take a long time, but, chill out! This doesn't mean that things aren't going well. Japanese just like to take their time during meetings.
  
  
• If you're walking down the street and feel the urge to blow your nose, do yourself a favour...don't! It is considered rude. One more hint..don't talk loudly in public. It is definitely not appreciated!
  
  
• If you get invited over to a Japanese person's home, you should feel very honoured. Take your shoes off at the door and bring a little present like food or wine. Avoid bringing flowers because they could offend different ceremonies.
  

Some of this information was taken from the Information Series published by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. It is available in print format.