Japanese people are classified as high avoidance, meaning that they do not like to engage in aggressive or risky behavior.

Although the Japanese like to belong to part of a group and not exist as individuals, they do form ranks of power within groups they are in, in order to create a sense of seniority.

The Japanese have a highly masculine culture, meaning that they put an emphasis on same-sex relationships in business and social situations. This emphasis starts at a young age as teenagers have three categories of friends that include: best friends, close friends, and group friends, all of which are usually of the same sex.

The Japanese, unlike Americans, make decisions based on the philosophy of the company or group rather than the philosophy of the individual. This causes decisions to usually be made based on the long term rather than the short term.

When asked, "What do you do," the Japanese respond with the company or academic institution they work for rather than saying what their job has them doing. This expresses their desire to be part of a group, rather than be identified by their individual achievements.

Among Japanese teenagers, it is seen as impolite towards one's friends to spends most of one's time with a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Business cards in Japan are known as Mesishi. A the beginning of any contact between business people, meishi are exchanged. This allows the Japanese involved to determine who is more powerful, and thus who deserves the most respect.

Your meishi should be printed in Japanese on one side and english on the opposite side. When you accept meishi, it should be presented to you english side up. When you present meishi, you should present it with the Japanese side up.

When you accept meishi, you should do so with both hands, grasping the card between thumbs and forefingers. A small bow is a sign of respect. Once you have the other persons meishi, you should not put it in your wallet or your pocket. Study it carefully and place it on the table near you. Take note of the name and the position.

It is often customary to give people you meet or who have done favors for you gifts. When meeting a person who you want to make a deal with, it is customary to bring a gift. This gift should be roughly proportional to the size of the deal.

When giving gifts, the wrapping is very important. Certain colors signify different things, and it is important that the gift look very good. For this reason, it is recommended that you have the store wrap the gift for you. Almost all stores will be happy to oblige. When presenting a gift, it is customary to verbally disparage the worth of the gift.