If these guys are over 40 and when you take them out they like to drink iichiko shochu. They usually don't drink it straight but mix it with club soda and twist of lime. Hope it helps
I work and live in Tokyo. This is a great idea. But before hitting up a strip club, take them out to eat (preferably a high class Japanese place). I hear lots of complaints from my Japanese coworkers about how big the portions are in the states and how greasy the food is and I think older Japanese prefer Japanese food. Get em buzzing then ask if they would like to go to a gentleman's club. You should get them a gift. Doesn't have to be expensive but should be personable. Another idea is to take them to an Astro's game as baseball is big here too. Would be perfect if there was a Japanese player playing against us. If you have any more questions, I'd be happy to answer them Juan.
WTF? Sobu with lemons? Japanese people drink Sochi with water, on the rocks, or with hot water in winter. No lemons...
At the very least, bring your "A-game" when it comes to business cards They will expect to exchange cards with you. This is not a joke post
Some of you guys make it sound like he's about to meet the yakuza lmao. Dude will be fine, just throw some dragonball references, sake, sushi, "Toshiba vs Sony" etc and he's good.
When negotiations don't go well, he can act mad as F, quickly hide underneath the table and put on a yellow wig+greent contacts. He'll then rise up looking Super Saiyan as f*** and say that the situation really angers him to the fullest. At that point the Japanese will bow down in terrible fear and make every business deal go through.
The etiquette with business cards is you give and accept business cards with both hands. When you receive a business card, don't put it in your pocket or in your briefcase, put it on the table in front of you until that meeting has finished. Also don't write on a Japanese person's business card. It's considered rude. Truth be told, Japanese people don't really care about how Americans act in business. Japanese people realize that their etiquette is theirs and that in global business, the American (Western) way is the majority. To get back to your question OP, you don't have to get a gift, you don't have to bow, but if you did I'm sure they would appreciate it.
I've worked with a few Japanese people in the past, I wasn't aware that we shouldn't put their business card in my pocket. We met and exchanged cards at the office lobby so didn't have any other choice. Also they bow like at least 5 times or something, and I'm gonna give some love back if they bow. I also noticed they do this semi-bow nod 50 times when their boss speaks to them.
Look at that subtle off-white coloring. The tasteful thickness of it. Oh, my God. It even has a watermark. Spoiler
Japanese people don't shake hands nor hug. Hugging is considered "intimate". Instead Japanese people tend to bow. People bow when they thank others or apologize or for greeting. It's like when you say "yeah", you automatically nod. Or when you say "no" you automatically shake your head. It's definitely, as a Japanese person in Japanese business culture, very rude to stick other's business cards in your pocket. It's like when they konnichiwa... it comes with a bow too.
Why are Americans so obsessed with Japanese business culture? It must be so hilarious to the people visiting. They've been witnessing this stupidity for decades now. They probably just want to exchange pleasantries and then move on to business, like everyone else. They probably would appreciate any gift, like everyone else. They probably would not be offended that you didn't research the minute details of their culture, like everyone else. Whatever you do though, don't forget the handjobs. You have to give them handjobs personally. Don't offend them by having strippers do it in your place.
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"Consumable" gifts like whiskey, California wine (which is expensive in Japan, but easily purchased here for a good price), or local snacks/treats like praline pecans are all go-to. Fun "happy hour" trips out and golf are also great. Either go to a good Japanese place or a nice Steak house for dinner. Places like Top Golf are a great idea too. When giving gifts, be more mindful of the don'ts...don't give anything in a quantity of four or nine. Wrap the gifts, but be mindful of the color of the packaging (look up what the different colors mean). Also, don't be annoyed if they don't open the gift in front of you. Most Japanese don't open gifts in front of other people. If they give you a gift, you should consider waiting to open it later unless they insist on you opening it. Other than that, Japanese salarymen just want to have fun on business trips in addition to making deals. When I was on a project with some guys from Japan and got to know them a little better, I got their kids Astros gear. They liked showing off to their friends some baseball T-shirts with a team on the other side of the earth, even if they didn't know any of the players.
Because like any culture on earth, if you are trying to build a relationship with someone from a different culture, they appreciate the effort. Plus its kind of fun to experience different cultures. Any modern Japanese business person on an international trip understands that they are out of their home etiquette culture. Its just nice to see someone try. Also, if I'm an American trying to do a deal that may make me a lot of money, and an interpersonal relationship may to that, its not too much effort to show some respect.
