Japan- Lillian Franklin

Culture and Business: Japan

High Context

  - Things are left "inferred" or "assumed"due to efficient messages
  - Word choice is everything. 
  -A quick, finely crafted sentence is more valuable than a lengthy exposition. 
  - Usually group over individual
  - Tradition is important
                    - Through tradition even more specific messages may be conveyed. 
  - Often pegged as a reason for the "untranslatable" joke. 
Because of this High Context culture marketers must be familiar that their audiences will be aware to the nuances of their ads. 
  - local and cultural images are popular
  - Tone and facial expressions are very important as they can change meanings when concepts not explained.  
Japan is a country with a high context society. 

Poly/Monochronic

Polychronic cultures are typically 
  - Flexible
  - Multitasking

Monochronic cultures are typically
  - Structured
  - Goal oriented

Japan mixes the two since it has strong ties with many polychronic Asian countries and many western monochronic countries.

Power Distance 

Japan's Power Distance grading is at a medium level at 54. This means that the job and social hierarchy is accepted but is to be noted that it is a less stark divide than that of other Asian countries. 
  - Managers control meetings

Uncertainty Avoidance

Japan's level of uncertainty avoidance ranks in the top percentage. It's no wonder as Japan is disaster prone and a certain level of "same-ness" throughout their culture gives theme a solid line to hold to.
  -Many Japanese traditions remain unchanged
  - Ritualized business traditions are common
  - Due to this strong attachment to tradition risks are carefully planned around. 

  - Innovation is prized but so is certainty and it is a delicate balance. (i.e: "Year of Luigi") 

  

  

Sources:

(  http://andymahoney29.wordpress.com/2012/10/08/power-distance-and-uncertainty-avoidance-in-japan/)
(http://crab.rutgers.edu/~ckaufman/polyJapanese.html)
(http://restaurantkyoto.dk/blog/en/japan-a-high-context-culture/)