How to Shake Hands with the Japanese

Business Etiquette in Japan: Understanding Handshakes and Bowing

Shaking hands is common in Japanese business culture. However, it is not a habit that’s native to the Japanese, meaning there are some cultural differences.

Many foreigners, mainly Westerners, commonly note that “they don’t shake hands like we do.”

Yes, because they’re Japanese!

Although the handshake is used on a daily basis, it’s done differently.

Let’s learn more. If you really want to impress your Japanese partners, why not take our Japan cultural awareness course, which covers the work culture, communication, and, of course, Japanese etiquette?

Remember, this is just a general overview of Japanese culture – not hard and fast rules that define every Japanese person you’ll meet when doing business.

The Bow vs. Handshake When Doing Business in Japan

Although the Western-style shaking of hands has been widely accepted in Japan, it has not replaced the traditional bow or reduced its overall importance in Japanese society.

Many Japanese use a combination of bowing and shaking hands.

However, there are situations when the bow is a must – for example, at a formal event such as a signing ceremony or when hosting important people.

Pretty much all Japanese people, including women, now automatically shake hands when meeting with foreigners.

Shaking Hands the Japanese Way

Probably the most common cultural faux pas committed by foreigners in Japan is to grab someone’s hand and give it a good old firm shake.

This isn’t nice for the Japanese.

Where you come from, it may be a sign of friendliness and a positive attitude, but in Japan, it’s aggressive.

When the Japanese shake hands, they do it with a certain softness. This can be interpreted by foreigners as ‘weak’ and demonstrative of something being held back, or that things aren’t quite right.

Naturally, this isn’t the case. The foreigner is looking through their cultural lens and misunderstanding the signals.

When shaking hands with the Japanese, the best approach is to test initial reactions. So, if you feel a firm grip, give it back, ease off on the pressure.

Another thing to be conscious of is not rushing to shake hands; give it a few more seconds than you normally would to allow people to establish context and comfort.

For example, some Japanese may first want to hand you their business card and then shake hands.

Of course, if someone offers his or her hand immediately, it is perfectly all right to take it.