Cracking the Code: Japanese Business Manners as a Game

This podcast explores the often perplexing world of Japanese business manners, or *bizinesu manā*, suggesting a novel approach to understanding them: **viewing them as the rules of a game**. It acknowledges that for many, these manners, from exchanging business cards to pouring drinks for superiors, can seem tedious and even arbitrary. However, these practices are deeply ingrained in Japanese corporate culture and are considered common knowledge among salarymen. **Mastering these rules is essential for career advancement, including promotions and raises**, and is applicable not just in Japan but also in Japanese companies overseas.

Instead of seeing business etiquette as a burden, the podcast proposes that it’s more effective to **think of them as a game, with clear guidelines that need to be followed**. This mindset can reduce resistance to these practices, making it easier to adopt them. By understanding and internalizing the rules of this “game,” individuals can achieve better job interviews, workplace interactions, and evaluations from superiors, leading to career progression.

The podcast further examines the conformity observed during job hunting, where students, regardless of their personal style, typically adopt black hair and recruitment suits, following **an unwritten rule of the job-seeking “game”**. This highlights a level of uniformity in behavior, suggesting that those who deviate from the norm may face disadvantages in the competitive job market. The reason for this conformity might lie in a Japanese tendency to be less attached to personal ideologies, making it easier to adhere to established social norms and business etiquette.

Ultimately, the podcast advises that for those looking to succeed in Japanese companies, **adopting the perspective that business manners are a rule-based system is essential**. This approach minimizes conflict and allows individuals to navigate the Japanese business world more effectively.