Handling confrontations

Unlike westerners who are very straightforward, Japanese business men doesn’t like blunt confrontations. Frank statements are often frowned at and avoided in Japanese society, and Japanese business men are no exception.

Many foreigners conducting business with a Japanese counterparty in a business environment observed that it is almost always impossible to get a straight answer. Most of the replies they receive are non-committal and vague. In dealing with them in this kind of situation, it is very important to keep your cool and be patient. You should not get too get pushy, but rather just go with the flow. Even if a definite answer is not likely to come, talking to them with respect will eventually gain their trust and confidence to give you a more precise answer.

Just make sure that your message gets across clearly and you let them realize that you are very eager to get a more accurate answer in the soonest possible time.