Meishi – How to exchange Japanese business card and not-to-do list

Meishi (“名刺”), is the Japanese business cards that are exchanged as part of a self-introduction or handed for professional rituals in Japanese business. In general, it is a business card that emphasizes your name most and describes your affiliation (so-called title) and contact information (phone number, location, etc.).

In Japan, Meishi business card exchange and its proper method are considered business manners, and meishi business card delivery and etiquette play a very important role in business.

In this article, I will show you how to exchange the business card Meishi correctly and what you can not do with business card etiquette.

Importance of Japanese business card Meishi etiquette

Japan is said to have the highest usage of business cards in the world. A culture that starts with a business card exchange for greetings in the first meeting, be prepared to take out the business card immediately after meeting, always keep your business card below the other person’s business card, do not put out business cards before your boss There are very detailed manners, such as not putting business cards right away. There is also a business card exchange culture overseas, but not as much as in Japan.

The first and most important thing to do when you meet someone for the first time in a Japanese business setting, that is a business card Meishi exchange. Business cards are like “faces” for business people, and business card exchange is the first step in getting others to know you.

Business card exchange is such an important business manner, but some people may have done the wrong way and continue to lose business opportunities and money without knowing it. As it is often said that people’s evaluations are determined by their first impressions, it is a business that it is possible that there is no “second time” just because the business card exchange was rude.

Therefore, this time, I would like to introduce the correct way to exchange business cards and manners to be careful.

Purpose of exchanging Japanese business card Meishi

First of all, why Japanese exchange meishi and put such importance in it?

Even if you exchange business cards and the business negotiated on the deal does not proceed, the relationship is not the end. When someone considers a new business, if they have a business card, they may be contacted again. 

LinkedIn is not popular in Japan. People used Meishi as a sort of database of business contacts.

See more about Japanese social media here.

To keep up with these new opportunities, networking is very important. Exchange is important because the more you distribute your business cards and the more business cards you collect, the more your network will expand.

How to exchange Meishi

Preparation of Meishi

Always exchange business cards while standing. If you are sitting and waiting, you will get up and greet you as soon as you see the other person. After the first greeting, move to a distance where you can easily exchange business cards.

It is important to note that the business card exchange should not be performed over the table. Please move to the other side by going around the table.

If your company has more than one person, arrange them quickly so that you can exchange them in the correct order.

The order of exchanging Meishi

Keep the business card compartment in a convenient place, such as a breast pocket or bag. The order of handing is basically from the senior person, your boss or manager. The senior person walks up to the partner and presents the business card first.

Giving your Meishi

Give your company name and your name as “My name is B of Company A”, and bow lightly before you start exchanging business cards.

Hold the business card at the height of the chest and hand it with both hands. The direction of the business card should be such that the characters are readable to the other party. Also, the name is more polite to say the full name. Slowly give yourself a name that is difficult to read.

When exchanging business cards, it is easy to drop your line of sight at hand, but you need to be mindful of giving out business cards while looking at the other person’s eyes with a natural smile.

Taking others Meishi

When you receive a business card, do not silently receive it. Be sure to pick it up with both hands while saying “thank you.” You need to be careful not to put your finger on the logo or name of the other company. Once received, do not drop it below the breast level.

Immediately putting the received business card on the top of a business card holder or putting it on a table is not very good. When you receive it, first try to look at the business card lightly on the spot. Also, do not unnecessarily touch the other party’s business card during the talk after the business card exchange.

Putting exchanged Meishi on table

Place the other party’s business card diagonally left in front of you. For a one-on-one business card exchange, put it on your business card holder, not directly on the table.

If you exchange business cards with more than one person, it is always better to put the business card of the person with the highest position on the business card holder and put the business cards of others on the table.

If you have a large group of people, don’t put your business card on top of the card case but it is ok to put all your business cards on the table. It is a good idea to order them in the order of their seats (as seen by you), not the job title.

Video of how to exchange Japanese business card Meishi

The below YouTube video explains how to exchange Japanese business cards Meishi well.

Not-to-do about Japanese business card Meishi

Running out of business cards

Before going out or visiting customers, it is expected to prepare a sufficient number of cards in advance.

If you run out of business cards, we will apologize simply for saying “I’m sorry, we’re out of business cards now.” When we receive your business card, we will tell you your company name and name verbally. And be sure to give yourself a business card the next time you meet.

Of course, it is important to always have enough business cards to avoid this. Be especially careful when traveling.

If you’re on the go and find that you’ve forgotten or run out of business cards, you can make a copy of them at a printing company’s self-service store. Of course, it is possible to use it even if the business card order at the company is not in time, so in case of emergency, check how to use the service that can immediately duplicate the business card.

Service offices like Kinkos provide fast business card printing services in Japan, where they can prepared cards in about a couple of hours.

Dirty or crooked business card

Passing a shabby business card, a bent business card, or a dirty business card is not acceptable. Business cards Meishi are not just cards, but your face and presentation. Giving a dirty business card is very rude to your opponent and gives you a bad impression.

Not treating exchanged business card well

Actions that stain the other party’s business card must be avoided. 

If you exchange business cards with a large number of people, there may be situations where you can not remember your name and face and want to take notes on the business card you just received. Do not stain your business card in front of your opponent.

Keeping a business card without a business card holder

Take care of your business card holder as well as cards. When exchanging business cards, the business card holder also sees the other party’s eyes. Recent business cardholders have a wide variety of business cards in various colors, shapes, and materials.

That’s the impression on your opponent because it’s your choice. Avoid types that are too flashy or poor. A business card holder is an item that expresses yourself. We recommend that you choose carefully.

Courtesy and Japanese business culture

In this article, We introduced the flow of business card Meishi exchange in Japan and the manners, precautions, and things I want to do to improve my impression. Meishi, Business card exchange is essential for business people. Don’t end up with a business card exchange that just takes and passes a business card. Use a business card as a tool to get a chance to work.

There are many rules in Japanese business card exchanges that seem too polite. Certainly, some steps looked like a bit stupid and meaningless. However, because of such a troublesome procedure, you can make a good impression and stand out if you do properly.

Business cards Meishi are like faces for businessmen in Japan. In particular, Japanese people tend to value courtesy, so it always safe and you may want to be careful not to miss business opportunities by exchanging rude business cards.