Working in Japan: what you should prepare for

Japan is a beautiful place with delicate culture, politeness, disciplined and a heaven for high tech gadgets lover, anime lover.
However, working in Japan, uhm, not so much fun.

You can learn a lot from Japanese: be more precise, careful and loyalty. But there are things you should mentally prepare for.

I have experienced a bad boss, quit my first job after two months. I have learned a great lesson.
I have worked with them for nearly two years now, I still can’t deal with difficult old grumpy boss however I know what to do.


1. Office dress code

That was my black trench coat I wore for the first time working part-time in Japan. It looked simple and quite normal. However, my friend commented my to change it and should wear it to work. She said : “It looked too flashy”. OMG, really? Where? Take a close look. Do you know where it is too flashy?
Answer: The button.
Here is the close up look.

The pattern made the coat looked too casual and unacceptable in Japanese office. It should be plain black or plain white.
The dress code is : wearing simple suit with black and white color. Do not put too much color or pattern or you will look unprofessional. Especially if you are new comer, you should dress humbly. Drawing too much attention to yourself causes bad impression from your co-workers and superior.
Why? In Japanese culture and life style, unlike Western one, social value is placed above individuality. Individuals should blend with the surrounding and know their places. In Western world, they encourage you to show your talents, your personality. Making you stand out from the crowd is what makes you successful and special. However, in Japan, it is a bad thing.
Hair and accessories? Straight and well combed hair. No dye, no curl. Keep it simple and plain as possible. No flashy accessories. “It is too distracting.” – said unwritten office code.
Makeup ? A big YES.
If you don’t know how to make up. Learn today.
It is disrespectful to others if you go out with your plain face. Makeup makes you look lively and lovable.
Japanese tend to judge people from the first impression. They will consider you as untrustworthy, reckless, unprofessional person if you appear with improper clothes, tired face with dark circle and bad skin.
Prepare yourself well.

2. Never talk back to your superior
One of the most stressful aspects is keeping your mouth shut while you totally disagree with your boss. To get promoted in companies, you must pretend to be “stupid, innocent”. It short, extremely obedient.
You have a new sale idea? you have better project plan? Too bad, your boss have another idea. And you must follow it.
I quit my first job because of disagreement with my formal boss. I have a strong personality. It was hard for me to keep silent and do everything he said.
Just like I said before, showing off your personality, raising your voice is not recommended.
My current employer is kind and open minded. He accepted my own opinions, however, I know I shouldn’t cross the line.

3. Badmouthing
Japanese people are polite and friendly. They help you and assist you as much as they can. Even if they do not like you that much. That is how Japanese is. But don’t let your guard down. Every thing is just a facade.
Office relationship is fragile like crystal. It is not there even if you think it’s there. It will disappear immediately right after you miss a step. The situation is worse if you are foreigner working in Japan.
Badmouthing is a common office thing. They will never tell you what you did wrong but they will talk very bad about you behind your back.

4. Work overtime
Working overtime to 8-10 hours a day, working on Saturday and Sunday is expected.
Many years ago, coming home after 8 hours of work was a rare sight and every one got home early received ridiculous looks from other. The situation get better now, companies encouraged employees to go home early. “Work smart not work hard.” However, in fact, they still prefer ones who can sit 10 hours or more at work.
Let get things straight.  You work efficiently, have many works done in 8 hours. You leave office at 5. You are not so good worker.On contrast, you play all day long, submit few reports, do a half-assed work but you leave work at 8 or 10. You probably get promotion soon.
The social circle in Japan is hard to break through and making a connection with if you are foreigner. It takes lots of time and effort to build true friendships with Japanese. Things get harder in offices and business world.
What is your experience of working in Japan? Please let more know.