Participants in our cross-cultural communication sessions remark that it's hard to get their Japanese co-workers to speak up about accomplishments, or just to speak up period! Some of this has to do with English skill levels (see last week's post) but even more than that especially humbleness is a cultural trait you need to take into account.

Effective communication is essential for effective collaboration and deep understanding. When working with Japanese colleagues, it's important to consider their unique background in English language education and cultural nuances. Here are some tips to enhance your communication with Japanese colleagues.

Today is my 100th post since I started posting regularly last summer, and i'm very happy it coincides with an article about women in business as this is a topic I'm very passionate about. I felt so lucky to be able to join the Stanford Panel Discussion with 3 amazing trailblazers: Masako Furuta, Makiko Kawabe and Yueyuan Yang.

When working between and comparing cultures, generalizing and sometimes stereotyping comes in handy. However, it's essential to be aware of how stereotypes can impact your interactions and relationships. While stereotypes can sometimes provide a general understanding of a culture, they can also trip you up if you rely on them too heavily.

In Japanese culture, nonverbal communication is much more nuanced than in the west and holds great importance. We know that bowing is a common form of greeting and showing respect, but did you know that the depth and duration of the bow can convey different levels of respect or hierarchy?

In Japanese business culture, expressing appreciation and acknowledgment among colleagues is essential for fostering a harmonious workplace. Two common phrases used to convey this sentiment are otsukaresama (お疲れ様) and gokurōsama (ご苦労様). While they may seem similar, their usage and connotations differ significantly.