Business Gifts when travelling to Japan?

Question

I am travelling to Japan for business this month. This trip is to coordinate a conference of medical doctors that will be held April of next year, and I will be meeting with many of the people I will be working with over the next 10 months to get this conference off the ground. I have never been to Japan before, but I know that there is a lot of ritual associated with business gifts -- what should I bring? Normally when I give business gifts, I try to give something relevant to the person's character, or something that is particular to my geography (San Francisco). For example, I know the person I've had the most contact with likes baseball, so I got them a Daisuke Boston Red Sox shirt. But there are many more important people I will be meeting with that I have no idea about their background or interests.

Answer 1

You are on a right track. For business in Japan, a gift can be a very good tool if this is your fist time here because it can make them pay attention to you. In that sense, it must not be local everyday tourist souvenirs. Pick up something intelligent for VIPs. If your company in US has some leather goods like desktop diary with company logo on it, it will be nice. For less than VIPs, Daisuke's shirt might be good if you are a fun of him then you can start a conversation with Japanese staff with Daisuke on topic, but I don't recommend this. They may name you "that baseball kid" or "Daisuke junior". You must impress them with your job not Red Sox.

Here is some ideas:
Pins/cuff links, PC accessories like mouse, pens(not cheap plastic ones), all with your company logo or US/Calif/Frisco flag design on it .

When I visit US for business, for a gift I bring some of the products my company is selling. It works well.

Answer 2

The most common gifts in Japan are foods. It's a little strange, but it almost matters more how the gifts are packaged and presented than what they are. It is important that a food gift be individually wrapped- go for those Ghiradellhi chocolate squares. Any local foods you can come up with will be appropriate. I would also bring a few extra generic gifts, in case you end up meeting someone you hadn't planned on!

You're definitely on the right track with the Daisuke jersey- baseball is huge in Japan, and any sort of T-shirt with English on it is trendy in the same way shirts with Asian characters are cool over here. T-shirts and caps from your local college are also a safe bet.

I would try to specifically avoid giving gifts in multiples of four (such as four truffles in a box.) In Japanese, the number four and the word for death are pronounced the same way ("shi") so giving someone a gift in a multiple of 4 is sort-of like cursing them...

That being said, don't be too hard on yourself- if you are making an effort to give appropriate gifts, it will be appreciated. Japan has an entire travel gift industry that we don't really have here in America, so it can be really hard to find the perfect item.

Answer 3

First off, bring your personal business cards, you will be giving them out. There is lots of etiquette surrounding the business card, so it's important you have way more than you think you will need. When someone gives you one, admire it a little bit, but never ever put it away until that person is long gone. Don't put it anywhere except in front of you on a table or somewhere similar. Not in the back pocket either, just hang onto it until you're in a private place and put it away.

Now for gifts. Any special American product is good. If you're from Vermont, bring maple syrup. From California, bring wine. Special candy is also good. Hawaiin Coffee would also be nice. If there are women, maybe bring nice lotions or soaps. Since you are from SF, bring some of Ghirardelli's Chocolate. I took some with me when I lived in Japan, and it was gone pretty quickly. Just be careful not to bring assortments that look more like they would be for a date than a business contact. And gift wrap everything. Good luck!

Answer 4

Most of the people have posted what gifts you need to give.
The most important thing for you to understand they love to go for a drink after a meeting to unwind and to come to know you. Drinking is not simply boozing it is ritual to see what you really are.It will be impolite to refuse.Drinking here in a business atmosphere is a little different from the western world.They pour your drink and you in turn will pour for them .It will go on and on.It will also be rude for you to rush back to your hotel.It is courtesy to leave with everyone.Learn the busy courtesy and politeness and that will open doors for you and your ten months will be fruitful

Answer 5

Hi,

A painting of them. Everyone likes painting. They can hang on their wall, something unique and they will remember it.

You just need a photo of them. Even if photo is on a newspaper or on the Internet - it still works. Send it to http://www.paintyourlife.com/ by mail, or upload it.

They do the rest. If you want painting fast, choose a small photo. See site FAQ.

Karl

Answer 6

Pictures of the Enola Gay, pictures of the mushroom cloud over hiroshima and the special box set edition of "the battle of midway". Many of my Japanese friends would really appreciate these gifts from you kind and thoughtful americans. You cant stop giving to the world....I applaud you all

Answer 7

bring something generic that reflects your locality. make sure it is impeccably presented and wrapped.