Remember Me
forgot your password?

Corporate Gift Giving in Japan

Japan continues to rise in the art of maintaining remarkable goodwill with its business partners. More than ever before, the Land of the Rising Sun offers corporate gifts as a way of giving high regard to both customers and employees.

Gifts do not have to be of high value, although if they are, this will not be considered a bribe or insult. For senior Japanese executives however, the gifts should be higher quality with increasing rank. It is important to observe gift giving etiquette because failure to do so will surely cause offense.

Gifts should be wrapped, but the paper should not be too bright, nor white. Be especially wary of white because it symbolizes death. Also never give things in sets of four, because the Japanese word for four, "shi", closely resembles the word for death. Unfortunately, this rules out golf balls. The Japanese can be very superstitious about this.

Both hands must always be used to present a gift, or even a business card.

Never show up with a gift in unexpected situations, except on special occasions such as a first meeting when it will be obvious that you are giving something. Instead, you should let drop some kind of subtle hint that you would like to present a small token of respect or memento in the near future.

When the gift is for a group, make sure that all are assembled before making the presentation and bear in mind that it is considered extremely rude to present a gift to only one recipient. It must either be presented to the whole group, or a gift given to each individual member.

The gift itself should be downplayed as much as possible. This is usual in all Asian cultures. The friendship should be allowed to come to the forefront rather than the material object which is symbolic of it.

Monetary gifts or ones displaying the company logo are not usually acceptable in Japan.

As for when to present your gift, the end of a visit is the best time. Corporate gifts are usually given during mid-year, i.e. on the 15th of July, and at the end of the year, on January the 1st.

It is not difficult to choose a gift for a Japanese person, although as has been mentioned, if multiple gifts are to be made, a strict ranking of worth is essential according to company position. Products which are unavailable in Japan are always welcome, as are extremely expensive ones. Pen which is a symbol of knowledge, is one appropriate gifts for Japanese colleagues. It is also easy to pack.

Gift giving in the Pacific rim, on the other hand, is not as formal and ritual-bound as in Japan although the importance of a corporate gift is also considered essential as much as showing slight reluctance in accepting a business gift.

Corporate gifts are a bit more problematic in China, where giving gifts to officials was banned during the communist regime. Gift-giving is enjoying a popular resurgence, but to avoid giving the impression that it is a bribe, the following guidelines should be observed: your gift should not be too expensive, should carry the company logo and preferably be presented to a group rather than to a single executive.

Jerry Carpos

Get a royal portrait for your business partner and amaze everyone for such a unique corporate gift. Personalized business gift such as portrait painting done by artists like Jerry Carpos can surely help you close that deal.

Rate this Article: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)
Print Email Re-Publish

Add new Comment



Captcha

  • Latest Business Articles
  • More from Jerry Carpos

Unemployment Rate Falls to 10% - Duration Still Rising

By: Rex Camposagrado | 11/12/2009
The U.S. economy shows positive signs with a recent drop in unemployment to 10%. This unexpected drop is a signal that the the economy is improving.

Six Sigma Jobs- Finding and Applying for a Position that Utilizes Your Six Sigma Training

By: Craig Calvin | 11/12/2009
Six sigma training can help you to be above everyone else applying for the same position or job as you and right now, you need anything that you can get in this economy.

Ubisoft's New Toronto Studio Proves Province of Ontario's Focus on Digital Entertainment Is on the Money

By: Market Wire | 11/12/2009
As Ubisoft readies its new Toronto studio for a grand opening in the first quarter of 2010, the Province of Ontario wants Europe to know that the Ontario Technology Corridor is unique in the world for its depth of talent and serious government commitment to the digital entertainment industry.

Promotional Incentives Launch Products and Lift Sales

By: Cyndi Walker | 11/12/2009
Promotional incentives are a powerful marketing lever that brand advertisers can use to engage and excite consumers. They play a key role in launching new products, lifting sales of existing products, and cultivating customer loyalty. From the smallest "mom and pop" retail stores to the largest brands in the world, promotional incentives encourage people to experience products they might otherwise ignore.

How to Learn About Advertising and Branding From Billy Mays

By: Tony Mandarich | 11/12/2009
Billy Mays was the king of pitchmen. He knew how to turn any product into an exciting seen on television, must have product of the season. It did not matter if he was pitching an electronic product, such as Magic Jack or a cleaning product, such as OxiClean. Either...

Where Do I See Criminal Records Online To Check Someones Criminal Past

By: James Nash | 11/12/2009
Finding criminal past of your employees and business partners doesn’t have to be time consuming and expensive process anymore. It’s a lot simpler and easier to find records of any sort thanks to the internet, so that you can find records free and in just a few seconds.

Is your business a victim of heaps of unorganized paperwork? Document management can help

By: Greg Prather | 11/12/2009
There are many different types of cataloging processes, all of which are generally referred to by the term document management. There are many different types of cataloging processes, all of which are generally referred to by the term document management.

Search Engine Suggestions on Google

By: Julie Johnson | 11/12/2009
Search Engines are sometimes are to work with. Having an SEO expert with your company can help bring more attention.

Personal Injury Lawyers in Melbourne Australia - Tips for Choosing the Right One

By: Jerry Carpos | 26/01/2009 | Personal Injury
Are you thinking of hiring personal injury lawyers in Melbourne Australia? Are you the victim of an injury because of an accident or someone else's negligence? This article will help you work out whether you have a legitimate personal injury claim. If you live in Australia, this article will also help you decide whether you need a Melbourne personal injury lawyer to file your claim.

Invisalign Sydney Braces - How Do They Compare With Traditional Braces?

By: Jerry Carpos | 08/01/2009 | Dental Care
This article will discuss Invisalign and how it compares with traditional braces. This article will also summarize and discuss the conditions that an Invisalign Sydney dentist will be able to assist you with.

Why You Need Chiropractic Care and How to Work With Your Chiropractor to Get Optimal Results

By: Jerry Carpos | 17/12/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Are you seeking treatment for back and neck pain? Are you weighed down by headaches or migraines? Are you still bothered by a pinched nerve, or a sports injury that just won't heal? This article's intention is to offer you an introduction to chiropractic care and provide you with guidelines for choosing a Sydney North Shore Chiropractor.

Practical Guide for Becoming a Responsible Dog Owner

By: Jerry Carpos | 17/05/2008 | Pets
Owning a dog is not just pure fun, it also entails responsibilities on the part of the owner. These loyal canine friends depend on their owner for food, love, training, and more. If you are considering becoming the most popular and model dog owner in your neighborhood, learn the essential ways from this article and be the best dog owner that you can be.

Horses and Special Needs Kids Find a Place to Meet

By: Jerry Carpos | 09/05/2008 | Pets
The playful nature of horses has been found to be helpful in treating children with autism. This article provides a bird's eye view of the potential of the underrated equine therapy or horse therapy in helping autistic children. Discover how horses can help special kids get moving and have a breath out of their own world.

A Practical Guide for Avoiding Wedding Disasters

By: Jerry Carpos | 02/05/2008 | Home & Family
Everyone dreams of having a perfect wedding. However, it is not uncommon for every bride's special day to be plagued with at least one or two wedding disasters. Know several forms of wedding disasters, follow our simple tips on how to deal with a few common wedding day disasters, and realize that a disaster-free wedding day is actually possible.

Traveling With Teenagers - the Right Way

By: Jerry Carpos | 15/03/2008 | Travel
Vacationing with a teenager can be a huge challenge, to say the least. Follow our simple tips for traveling with your teenager and you will be well on your way to having a happy and peaceful getaway. Choose the right destination, pack the essential things, and get connected with your teens for a memorable travel experience.

The Artistically Challenged Person’s Approach to Choosing Artwork for the Home

By: Jerry Carpos | 04/03/2008 | Visual Art
Choosing stunning artwork for your home isn’t as hard as you think. By learning a few simple rules, you can decorate your home with artwork that gives it that special WOW factor.

Submit Your Articles Free: Signup

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.26, 6, w1)