Corporate Gifts for Japanese People

It is important to realize that Japanese people excel at gift-giving. Their culture requires gift-giving on a wide variety of occasions, which I learned by experience when I worked in Japan for 11 years.

The art of gift-giving in Japan has a number of surprises for most North Americans. There are some cultural differences to be observed, whether it is a personal gift or a corporate gift. The following tips are a beginning, but you will want to do your research before going to Japan.

* Corporate gift giving is a central part of doing BUSINESS in Japan and should not be avoided.

* Corporate gifts for Japanese people should be announced ahead of time. Tell the Japanese BUSINESS person that you have a small gift, even if it is large. Tell what it is, even if it is wrapped. Give the gift at the end of your visit. He or she will probably open your gift later, in private.

* Japanese people sometimes push the budget envelope when giving corporate gifts, but they do not want you to do so. Your costly gift will make them indebted to you, and they will have to give you a gift of somewhat greater value in return. Still, the typical price range for a corporate gift is $100 (circa 2007).

* Avoid giving identical corporate gifts to two people who have different roles in the company. Position is very important.

* Corporate gifts for Japanese people are always acceptable when they are gifts of food or beverage. These gifts are easy to give, whether to male or female. They can be shared among colleagues, too.

* Give a gift you purchased in your own country. You can take a gift of GOURMET FOOD or coffee as a corporate gift. If your gift contains dishes or mugs, be sure there are only 2 and never 4 or 9. The numbers 4 and 9 are considered unlucky. The number 2 is lucky.

* Boxed chocolates are a good corporate gift. Avoid white chocolates in the shape of flowers, since white flowers are reserved for times of bereavement.

* A corporate gift of liquor is appreciated by many Japanese. If you have reason to believe it will clash with religious beliefs, or that the recipient is a recovering alcoholic, choose a different gift. Otherwise, a bottle of California wine is a good choice.

* When presenting a corporate gift to a Japanese person, present it with both hands, not one.

* Corporate gifts for Japanese people may very well end up in a closet if they are not perishable. There they will remain, waiting to be presented to someone else the next time a gift is needed. For that reason, personalized gifts, or items with your corporate logo on them are not appropriate.

Finally, if you are receiving a corporate gift from a Japanese person, it is polite to refuse it at least twice before “giving in” and accepting it. When you do accept it, take it with both hands, just as it will be presented.