Business Etiquette In Japan

A Japanese proverb states that “the nail that sticks up gets hammered down.” While there are a number of interpretations for this, its message for foreign businessmen is clear: standing out is not an advantage.

With the proverb in mind, you still want to dress to impress; you just don’t want to stand out. This means wearing conservative clothes and keeping accessories to a minimum.

Men should almost always go with a well-tailored suit in either black or dark blue. Pair a crisp, white dress shirt with ties in subtle colors. Lighter suits tend to be seen as less respectful and less professional.

Women should also dress conservatively, with dresses typically being more preferable than pantsuits.