Meetings

Like in the US and Europe, or in most parts of the world, it is customary for business men who met for the first time to exchange business cards. Business cards are called “meishi” in Japan. When presenting your business card, you should hand it over to the receiver with both hands, holding it in the corners and passing it forward while saying your name and the company you represent.

When receiving another person’s “meishi”, you should take it with both hands, just like when you passed yours, and then study the contents carefully. You should look interested and not bored. Japanese business men usually have an English translation of the contact information at the back of their “meishi”. If the feel of the meeting is very formal, you should place the “meishi” in the table in front of you facing upward, referring to the information in it when necessary. If the setting is less formal, you can put the “meishi” away after studying it for a while. However, you should not just drop it in the pocket of your pants, as this will seem rude and dismissive.