Comparison of cultural differences between China and Japan

The same as the Asian countries， China and Japan， the neighbors have of a long communication history. Therefore， there are many similarities in culture between the two countries. But the culture is changing with the times， because of the differences in the political system， economic system， social environment and so on， there are also differences in culture. This paper will simply analyze the cultural differences between China and Japan.

1.Chinese Society & Culture

The Importance of “Face”

The concept of ‘face roughly translates as ‘honour， ‘good reputation or ‘respect.

There are four types of ‘face： Diu-mian-zi， Gei-mian-zi， Liu-mian-zi，Jiang-mian-zi.

It is critical you avoid losing face or causing the loss of face at all times.

Confucianism

Confucianism is a system of behaviours and ethics that stress the obligations of people towards one another based upon their relationship. Confucianism stresses duty， sincerity， loyalty， honour， filial piety， respect for age and seniority. Through maintaing harmonious relations as individuals， society itself becomes stable.

Collectivism vs. Individualism

In general， the Chinese are a collective society with a need for group affiliation， whether to their family， school， work group， or country. In order to maintain a sense of harmony， they will act with decorum at all times and will not do anything to cause someone else public embarrassment. They are willing to subjugate their own feelings for the good of the group.

Non-Verbal Communication

Chinese non-verbal communication speaks volumes. Since the Chinese strive for harmony and are group dependent， they rely on facial expression， tone of voice and posture to tell them what someone feels. Frowning while someone is speaking is interpreted as a sign of disagreement.

Chinese Etiquette and Customs

Meeting Etiquette

Greetings are formal and the oldest person is always greeted first. Handshakes are the most common form of greeting with foreigners. The Chinese have a terrific sense of humour. They can laugh at themselves most readily if they have a comfortable relationship with the other person.

Gift Giving Etiquette

In general， gifts are given at Chinese New Year， weddings， births and more recently （because of marketing）， birthdays. The Chinese like food and a nice food basket will make a great gift.

Gifts are not opened when received. Gifts may be refused three times before they are accepted.

Dining Etiquette

The Chinese prefer to entertain in public places rather than in their homes， especially when entertaining foreigners. Arrive on time. Eat well to demonstrate that you are enjoying the food！ Learn to use chopsticks. Wait to be told where to sit. The host offers the first toast. There are no strict rules about finishing all the food in your bowl.

Business Etiquette and Protocol in China

Relationships & Communication

The Chinese dont like doing business with companies they dont know， so working through an intermediary is crucial. Business relationships are built formally after the Chinese get to know you. Be very patient. It takes a considerable amount of time and is bound up with enormous bureaucracy. The Chinese see foreigners as representatives of their company rather than as individuals. Rank is extremely important in business relationships and you must keep rank differences in mind when communicating.The Chinese prefer face-to-face meetings rather than written or telephonic communication.

Business Meeting Etiquette

Appointments are necessary and， if possible， should be made between one-to-two months in advance， preferably in writing. If you do not have a contact within the company， use an intermediary to arrange a formal introduction. Once the introduction has been made， you should provide the company with information about your company and what you want to accomplish at the meeting. Meetings require patience. Written material should be available in both English and Chinese， using simplified characters. Presentations should be detailed and factual and focus on long-term benefits.

Business Negotiation

Only senior members of the negotiating team will speak. Designate the most senior person in your group as your spokesman for the introductory functions. Chinese are non-confrontational. They will not overtly say ‘no， they will say ‘they will think about it or ‘they will see. Decisions may take a long time， as they require careful review and consideration. Business is hierarchical. Decisions are unlikely to be made during the meetings you attend. Your starting price should leave room for negotiation.

Business Cards

Business cards are exchanged after the initial introduction. Hold the card in both hands when offering it， Chinese side facing the recipient. Examine a business card before putting it on the table next to you or in a business card case. Never write on someones card unless so directed.

2.Japanese Society & Culture

The Japanese and ‘Face

Saving face is crucial in Japanese society.

If the request cannot be agreed to， they will say， ‘its inconvenient or ‘its under consideration. Therefore， they do not openly criticize， insult， or put anyone on-the-spot.

Face can be lost， taken away， or earned through praise and thanks.

Harmony in Japanese Society

Harmony is the key value in Japanese society. Harmony is the guiding philosophy for the Japanese in family and business settings and in society as a whole. They place great emphasis on politeness， personal responsibility and working together for the universal， rather than the individual， good. They present facts that might be disagreeable in a gentle and indirect fashion. They see working in harmony as the crucial ingredient for working productively.

Japanese Non-Verbal Communication Since the Japanese strive for harmony and are group dependent， they rely on facial expression， tone of voice and posture to tell them what someone feels. They often trust non-verbal messages more than the spoken word as words can have several meanings.

It is considered disrespectful to stare into another persons eyes， particularly those of a person who is senior to you because of age or status. In crowded situations the Japanese avoid eye contact to give themselves privacy.

Japanese Hierarchy

The Japanese are very conscious of age and status. Everyone has a distinct place in the hierarchy， be it the family unit， the extended family， a social or a business situation.

At school children learn to address other students as senior to them （‘senpai） or junior to them （‘kohai）. The oldest person in a group is always revered and honoured. In a social situation， they will be served first and their drinks will be poured for them.

作者簡介

武真真（1986-），女，河南平頂山人，蘇州衛生職業技術學院，助教，學士。