Japanese Business Etiquette: What to Know Before You Start
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Do you feel unsure about Japanese workplace etiquette? Worried about interviews or how to act at work? Concerned that not knowing Japanese etiquette might hurt your impression?
This guide explains practical points you can use in interviews, after joining a company, and in everyday communication. By the end, you’ll feel, “I can do this!”
✔ 10 essential Japanese business etiquette points to learn first
✔ How to speak for a good impression in interviews
✔ Tips to build trust at work
✔ Meeting etiquette basics to avoid trouble
✔ How to write emails and chat messages
✅ 1. What is Japanese business etiquette?
The core of Japanese business etiquette is consideration for others. More than special knowledge, kindness and saying “thank you” matter.
Here are three key ideas to keep in mind when working in Japan.
🧭 Three key ideas
1) Be on time: Respect others’ time.
2) Use polite language: “desu / masu” style creates a sense of safety.
3) Be aware of people around you: Think about the whole team, not only yourself.
📘 How to use this guide
• Start with 10 etiquette points to learn first.
• Then see tips by situation: interviews → workplace → meetings → email & chat.
• At the end of each section, check the 💡 “common mistakes”.
✅ 2. 10 etiquette points to learn first
There are many rules, but you don’t need to learn all at once. Start with these 10 etiquette points and you’ll feel safe in most workplaces.
1️⃣ Value greetings
「おはようございます」(Ohayō gozaimasu) — Good morning / 「おつかれさまです」(Otsukaresama desu) — Hello at work / Thanks for your hard work.
2️⃣ Be on time (arrive 5 minutes early)
Being prepared a little early builds trust.
3️⃣ Use polite language
「です・ます」(desu / masu) — polite sentence endings that make people feel comfortable.
4️⃣ Keep a clean, simple look
Clean and simple clothing shows care for others. Avoid strong perfume and flashy colors.
5️⃣ Report, inform, and consult
Share even small updates to protect team trust.
6️⃣ Nod while listening
Nodding shows “I’m listening”.
7️⃣ Say thank you clearly
「ありがとうございます」(Arigatō gozaimasu) — Thank you.
8️⃣ Avoid bothering others
Be careful with noise, smells, and shared spaces.
9️⃣ Limit smartphone use at work
Use it on breaks. Focus during work leaves a good impression.
🔟 If you make a mistake, tell it quickly
Early reporting prevents problems. Honesty builds trust.
With these 10 points, you can act calmly in interviews and on your first day. Next, let’s see how to apply them in interviews.
💡 Common mistakes
• No greeting, or voice too small to hear
• Arriving just on time (not prepared)
• Interrupting a manager or coworker
• Hiding mistakes
👉 Small actions make trust. Try to be the person others feel “nice to work with”.
✅ 3. Interview etiquette
An interview shapes your first impression. In Japan, greetings, posture, and facial expressions show politeness. Let’s follow the flow from entry to exit.
【Clothes & grooming】
• Wear basic, clean clothes. Check for wrinkles, stains, and dust.
• Use little perfume and keep accessories minimal. Keep hair so your face is clearly visible.
【Entering & greeting】
• Knock 3 times → enter after hearing “please come in”.
• Close the door quietly, stand in front of the interviewer, and greet brightly.
• In front of the chair, say: 「◯◯と申します。よろしくお願いいたします。」(◯◯ to mōshimasu. Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.) — “I’m ◯◯. Thank you for meeting me.” → Sit after being invited.
【Posture & sitting】
• Sit with a straight back, hands lightly on your thighs.
• Keep your feet together (don’t cross). Put your bag beside the chair / by your feet.
【Speaking & eye contact】
• Speak slowly with a slightly louder voice and polite endings.
• Look at the interviewer’s eyes / eyebrows area. It’s OK to look away sometimes.
• If you don’t understand, use cushion phrases like 「確認してもよろしいでしょうか」(Kakunin shite mo yoroshii deshō ka) — “May I confirm?”.
【Leaving the room】
• Stand beside the chair and say: 「本日はありがとうございました」(Honjitsu wa arigatō gozaimashita) — “Thank you very much for today.”
• Bow lightly again near the door and leave quietly.
💡 Common mistakes (interviews)
• Entering without knocking / without waiting for a reply
• Sitting before being invited
• Crossing legs / slouching far back
• Voice too small / speaking too fast / no eye contact
• No closing words / shutting the door loudly
👉 In interviews, politeness and calm movement shape your impression.
✅ 4. Workplace etiquette
Daily greetings, reporting, and kindness build trust. In Japan, it’s important to think of the whole team, not only your own tasks. Here are basics you can use from day one.
【Daily greetings】
• When arriving: 「おはようございます」(Ohayō gozaimasu) — Good morning. / When leaving: 「お先に失礼します」(Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu) — I’ll leave before you (polite).
• For busy people, a small voice is OK. Smile and match the other person’s eye level.
【Report / inform / consult】
• Share progress or trouble early. Even “I might be a little late” is helpful.
• Before talking to your boss, ask: 「今よろしいでしょうか？」(Ima yoroshii deshō ka?) — “Is now a good time?”
• Report in the order: conclusion → reason → next action.
【Desk & during work】
• Keep your desk simple and tidy. Put things back after use.
• Reduce small talk and smartphone use.
• Set phone notifications to silent.
【Breaks & lunch】
• Say a short line when taking a break: 「休けいに入ります」(Kyūkei ni hairimasu) — I’ll take a break.
• Be careful with food smells and sounds.
• In shared spaces, clean up after use.