OFFICIAL PAYMENT PARTNER OF UEFA EURO 2024™

Earn a AUD200 bonus on your supplier payments

Refer your network and you'll both earn USD200

Trade Solutions

Doing Business with China

User Guides

Partners

Partner Acquisition

Partner Directory

How to open a
World Account

More brands of Ant International

Europe

Asia

Oceania

North America

México

Español

Home  >  Guides to grow your business  >  Business Banking Insights

Business trends and etiquette in Japan

 

Japan is a big market with one language and clear business protocol to follow. Here, we take a look at how to respectfully make your mark.

 

 

Even after the postponed 2020 Olympics and global economic issues caused by Covid-19, Japan remains the third biggest economy in the world. Unlike other, more complex, countries, Japan is a big market with one language and clear business protocol to follow, all of which is vital to keep in mind when expanding your business into this region – we’ve put together a few initial insights to help Australian businesses looking to trade and grow in Japan.

Where can UK businesses excel in Japan?

Japan has the world’s fastest ageing population – the number of people who are aged 65 and over is set to rise by 11% by 2065. This means that there is a demand for products and services aimed at helping senior members of the public, such as technology to support them with their day-to-day activities.

There’s also a focus on education and hobbies for this generation, so they can keep active and social. There’s also a growing desire for luxury global brands and, according to the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan, this presents a fantastic opportunity for businesses looking to target consumers.

Open a World Account for free
  • Open 15+ local currency accounts and get paid like a local
  • Pay suppliers, partners and staff worldwide in 100+ currencies
  • Collect payments for free from 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways, including Amazon, Etsy, PayPal and Shopify
  • Take control of spending with the World Card, a business expense card that saves you more with 1% cashback. Learn more
  • Save with competitive exchange rates on currency conversions and transfers
  • Lock in exchange rates for up to 24 months for cash flow certainty

Etiquette for doing business in Japan

For businesses looking to reach Japanese customers and grow in this market, here are some hints and tips to take into consideration:

 

Politeness

Being polite and courteous is highly respected. Avoid pointing at people as this is considered a disrespectful action – verse yourself in how best to greet people appropriately.

 

Business cards

Make sure you carry business cards with you and invest in good quality ones, as this is often a representation of how you conduct business. Keep business cards on the table with the Japanese side facing up until after the meeting has finished as a sign of respect

 

Meetings

Take meetings seriously, be punctual, prepared and dress professionally. If you receive a gift, open it in private – gifts are an important part of business protocol.

 

Opportunities for UK SMEs

The Japanese market offers huge business opportunities for SMEs across the UK and the rest of Europe. If you’re looking to transfer money to Japan, open a World Account to pay your Japanese suppliers as easily as if they were around the corner. 

WorldFirst
cover_img

6 biggest global payment challenges for retailers, importers and online sellers

Struggling with international payments? Learn the top 10 global payment challenges for retailers, importers, and online sellers—and how to overcome them.

Apr / 2025
cover_img

Airwallex card review: Features, costs and alternatives

In this Airwallex card review, discover the key features and costs, plus the best alternatives to the Airwallex business card.

Mar / 2025
cover_img

Top Airwallex alternatives [2025]

Take a look at the top Airwallex alternatives so you can choose the best foreign currency account for your business.

Mar / 2025
Businesses trust WorldFirst
  • Almost 1,000,000 businesses have sent USD$300B around the world with WorldFirst and its partner brands since 2004
  • Your money is safeguarded with leading financial institutions

Stream A

Death, taxes and expanding to the U.S.

This session will cover the basics of what your key tax obligations are and answer questions

such as:

  • What are the biggest mistakes businesses make when expanding to the US (from a tax perspective)?
  • How to avoid penalties: what happens if you don’t comply? How to stay ahead of changing regulations?
  • How to keep tax compliance from being a bottleneck?
  • What resources or tools can businesses use to manage tax compliance without an in-house expert?
  • At what stage should businesses invest in tax automation software?
  • How can automation help prevent tax errors?