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Business Culture in Japan

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Submitted By Ceecee85
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I. Introduction When conducting business in a country with a culture that is unknown to you, it is best to prepare and understand that country's traditions and culture as best as possible. In order to be successful in business in Japan, one must understand the dynamics of an intercultural relationship on a business level as well as a personal level to ensure that no offense is created . This report will focus on Japan; what differences we see between Japan and Canada culturally while studying abroad, and what helps create a strong successful business relationship. II. Determinants of Culture Culture is a system of values and normalities that are considered a way of life in society. Culture influences how we think, talk, pray, eat, dress, interact and, communicate. Our behaviour, attitude, personality and beliefs have been shaped by the culture we were raised in.
“Culture is transmitted through language, material objects, ritual, institutions and art, from one generation to the next.” (n.d., Dictionary)
Even with the effects of globalization, countries around the world are still distinct from one another. So how do we really set apart one culture from another? Here are the determinants of culture: * Social Structure - Consists of institutions, rules, and practices. Social structure assigns roles and powers to individuals in a society. It is the social relation of one person to another person where a stable arrangement of institutions by which the people in a society interact and live. * Religion - A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code of human affairs. (n.d., Dictionary). Religion is simply the belief in a god or group of gods. Religion can

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