Upstairsforthinking made some responses in a recent post to an article in new Tokyo free paper Japan Scope regarding their suggestions for appropriate business attire when visiting Japan, and he kindly suggested I might have some useful input on the matter. So I put together the following points.
1. Generalizing
One cannot really generalize too much in regard to companies in Japan, as this is a large country population-wise with a highly developed business scene. On the whole though, outside of the advertising / entertainment industries the one thing I would stress is that one wants to avoid visible tattoos and facial piercings as these are still regarded negatively in Japan. Tattoos carry connotations of the yakuza – Japanese mafia – so it is best to keep them covered up in business meetings. Of course point 7 works in your favor.
2. Foreign Capital Companies
The big divide in Japanese companies regarding how to dress runs along the lines of corporate ownership. Western owned foreign capital companies (known in Japanese as gaishikei) tend to preserve a great deal of the corporate culture of the parent company so attitudes to dress are far more relaxed than at comparative Japanese owned companies.
I have met with back office staff at foreign capital companies here who were wearing shorts and jandals at work. In such companies jeans and t-shirts are reasonably common. If you are coming to Japan on an inhouse assignment for such a company dress as you would back home.
3. Traditional Japanese Companies
Traditional Japanese companies, particularly in the ‘unsexy’ industries – for example steel or real estate, commodities manufacturing or banking are on the whole the most conservative you will find in Japan. If dealing with such companies as a supplier or contractor then I would suggest the traditional dark suit, white shirt, and a quiet tie.
Strangely enough, small Japan-based expat-owned companies are the most conservative of them all so I would put them in the same category as traditional Japanese companies.
4. Urban or Country
Where are you visiting in Japan? Just like the rest of the world, urban areas tend to be more forward looking while rural areas are more conservative. If you are visiting a factory out in the back blocks then the dark suit is a good idea. I remember seeing the mayor of our town in an elegantly cut suit which he had matched up with a pair of black gumboots. Perfect for wading through rice fields.
5. Cool Biz
Former Prime Minister Koizumi didn’t achieve much in the international arena, but internally one change he did bring into play was cool biz. Cool biz requires that in summer public offices such as town halls set air conditioners to 28 degrees, and also means that employees are not required to wear ties. So it was pretty common to see Koizumi on TV without a tie. As a result it is much more common to see people without ties.
That said, it is still rare to see company employees not wearing ties and dark suits when visiting other companies.
6. Industries
Which field are you in? If you are a senior banking guy then by all means bring your favorite Brooks Brothers suits – you will fit right in. On the other hand if you are an IT guru your camo trousers and tank top wont be too far out of place. If you really must wear camel dung pants and a check shirt do it. If you are a top level manager dress how you want your staff to dress. Most expat workers however, at the bigger companies wear business shirts and trousers, with ties not being that common.
7. You are gaijin.
You are not Japanese (I guess because you are reading this) and most Japanese people are prepared to cut foreigners a fair bit of slack. While it is bad manners to exploit such loop-holes, you shouldn’t worry too much. Japanese people will be patient with you (well for a while).
8. Advice for women.
Same as above. Except, if you are going to be entertained in traditional Japanese restaurants expect to be seated on the floor – so short skirts might be a little bit difficult.
9. Holy Roman Socks.
Japanese people take their shoes off when they enter homes, some workplaces such as schools and some factories, when they enter traditional restaurants or anywhere there is traditional Japanese tatami mats. So make sure your socks don’t have holes in them. Japanese people also like new things, so any other pieces of clothing that look a little ragged should be replaced – unless they happen to be your magical lucky shot-gun blasted levis.
10. Be yourself.
An extension of number 7 – be yourself. If you are not used to wearing a suit and feel uncomfortable in one then you will just make things worse for yourself trying to fit in that way.
Appearance does have impact on Japanese people – just like people anywhere. On a little aside, some interesting things I have noticed – in Japan blue jeans are still seen as being representative of hippy culture in some quarters, while black jeans are perfectly acceptably in most companies. Of course if it was New Zealand it would be the other way around. Leather trousers for women, despite being morally repulsive are fine too.
Overall how you dress shouldn’t be too much of a cause for concern. You are going to be much more successful doing business in Japan if you are friendly and smile, have good connections, listen carefully and generally keep a positive outlook with regard to your interactions.
