One of the first things foreigners notice when they start working in Japan is how unique the workplace culture is.
Morning meetings, overtime, addressing colleagues by their title, business card exchanges, after-work drinking parties — these are not just habits. They are expressions of Japanese values and the way relationships are built. Understanding them will make your working life in Japan significantly smoother.
The Morning Meeting (Chorei)
Many Japanese companies start every day with a company-wide morning meeting called “chorei.” The team gathers to share the day’s agenda, confirm goals, and in some cases, recite the company motto together.
For foreigners, the immediate reaction is often “why is this necessary every single morning?” But chorei serves an important purpose. It ensures that everyone on the team starts the day with the same information and mindset. Japanese companies place enormous value on moving together as a unit, and chorei is the symbolic expression of that.
The Culture of Overtime
Japan’s overtime culture is known worldwide. Many foreigners are surprised to find that nobody leaves when the official working hours end.
There are several reasons for this. One is the cultural expectation of demonstrating dedication to your work. In some workplaces, leaving on time is interpreted as a lack of motivation. Another is the social pressure of not wanting to leave before your teammates have finished their work.
That said, this culture is gradually changing. Workplace reform initiatives have pushed many companies to reduce overtime. However, in more traditional Japanese companies, the expectation to stay late remains deeply ingrained.
Addressing People by Their Title
In Japanese workplaces, it is standard to address superiors by their title rather than their name. “Tanaka-bucho” (Department Head Tanaka) or “Sato-kacho” (Section Chief Sato) are typical examples. This is not just politeness — it is a way of acknowledging the organizational hierarchy and showing respect.
If a foreign employee addresses a superior by their first name or ignores their title entirely, it can easily be perceived as rude. In Japan, a person’s position within an organization and their human relationships are deeply intertwined.
Horenso: Report, Inform, Consult
One of the most important concepts in Japanese business culture is “horenso” — an acronym for hokoku (report), renraku (inform), and sodan (consult).
Report: Keep your supervisor updated on the progress and results of your work. Inform: Share relevant information with everyone involved. Consult: When uncertain, do not make decisions alone — bring the issue to your supervisor first.
A common mistake foreigners make is acting independently and making their own judgments. While this might seem like initiative, in a Japanese workplace it is often interpreted as “why didn’t you consult me first?” Horenso is the fundamental communication framework for functioning as part of a team.
Business Card Etiquette
In Japan, exchanging business cards is a ritual that happens at every first business meeting. It is not simply an exchange of contact information — it is an act of showing respect to the other person.
Cards should be offered and received with both hands. A received card should not be immediately put away — during a meeting, place it carefully on the table in front of you. Writing on a business card or bending it is considered highly disrespectful.
Treating a business card carelessly is understood as treating the person themselves carelessly.
The Unwritten Rules of Nomikai (Work Drinking Parties)
After-work drinking parties, known as “nomikai,” are a regular part of Japanese workplace culture. They are not simply entertainment — they are an important setting for building relationships with colleagues.
There are several unwritten rules at nomikai. Do not pour your own drink — when you notice someone’s glass is empty, pour for them. Do not start drinking before your superior. Wait for the toast (kanpai) before taking your first sip.
Declining an invitation to nomikai can sometimes be interpreted as a lack of interest in being part of the team. You don’t need to attend every single one, but never attending at all means missing significant opportunities to build relationships.
Understanding the Culture Is the Shortcut to Success
Japanese workplace culture can feel restrictive at first. But behind it lies a set of values centered on achieving results as a team and showing mutual respect.
Demonstrating a willingness to understand and adapt to these cultural norms will earn you the trust of your Japanese colleagues and superiors. And that trust is what will make your working life in Japan genuinely rewarding.