Japanese Business
Etiquette & Protocol
The art of trust in Japanese business
For executives building enduring relationships
Meishi · Nemawashi · Hierarchy · Trust
The art of trust
— Japanese Business Etiquette
ICPA’s Japanese Business Etiquette & Protocol Programme is a comprehensive Japanese etiquette training discipline required to build genuine trust in Japanese business contexts. From the precise etiquette of meishi (business card exchange) to the subtle rhythms of nemawashi (preliminary consultation), this programme prepares executives for sophisticated engagement with Japanese counterparts.
Japanese business etiquette is not merely a subset of Japanese etiquette to observe to observe. It is a discipline that, when authentically embodied, becomes the foundation of lasting commercial relationships. The Japanese business landscape rewards those who understand its nuances — and quietly excludes those who do not.
Whether you are a foreign executive engaging with Japanese partners, a Japanese executive operating internationally, or a professional seeking to deepen your authority in cross-cultural business, this programme delivers the conduct that distinguishes the truly accomplished international executive.
In Japanese business,
trust is built through conduct.
The complete discipline
— Six Modules
Meishi & First Encounters
The precise etiquette of business card exchange — the most consequential first encounter in Japanese business. Presentation, reception, handling, and the social geometry of meishi exchange.
Nemawashi & Consensus Building
The Japanese art of preliminary consultation. How decisions are truly made in Japanese organisations, the role of consensus, and the patience required to build alignment.
Hierarchy & Senpai-Kohai Relations
Understanding Japanese organisational hierarchy. The senpai-kohai relationship, age and rank considerations, and how hierarchy shapes every aspect of Japanese business conduct.
Meeting Etiquette & Boardroom Conduct
The protocol of Japanese business meetings. Seating order, speaking conventions, the role of silence, note-taking, and the unspoken codes of Japanese boardroom comportment.
Business Hospitality & Settai
The tradition of Japanese business entertainment. Settai (formal business hospitality), restaurant selection, sake etiquette, karaoke conventions, and the relationship-building that takes place after hours.
Written Correspondence & Formal Communication
Japanese business correspondence etiquette. Email conventions, seasonal greetings, the use of keigo (honorific language) in writing, and the formal letter traditions still respected in Japanese business.
A bespoke formation
— Structure & Delivery
Adaptable to executive schedules. Intensive options available for those preparing for imminent engagement with Japanese partners.
Delivered in Tokyo with online and hybrid options for international participants. Private sessions for senior executives available.
Personally led by Mirei Cecilia Hakuba, supported by ICPA’s LEPSW-accredited faculty. Class sizes are deliberately limited.
Tuition is shared confidentially with candidates following preliminary enquiry, reflecting the depth of instruction and the value of credentials received.
Master the conduct
of Japanese business
Where trust is built through conduct
The Japanese Business Etiquette & Protocol Programme is designed for those who recognise that mastering Japanese business conduct is an investment that returns dividends for a lifetime. Begin your journey with a private briefing.