Business trip to Tokyo, Japan

• Communication:
  Use formal names, professional and academic titles. Rank is very important and should be respected at all time.
  The Japanese are not direct and this to the extreme, they prefer subtlety to directness. If there is a request that can’t be agreed upon, the Japanese will reply with a sentence like "it’s under consideration".
  Never interrupt somebody.
  Dress formal and conservative.
  


• Meetings and negotiations:
  When making appointments use the 24-hour clock time format to avoid misunderstandings.
  Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
  Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
  Shaking hands is accepted as you are a foreigner but the custom is to bow, the deeper the bow, the more respect you show for the other.
  Always give a small gift to the most senior person at the end of the meeting, as a token of your esteem.Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
  First appointments are more socially oriented, Japanese would like to know you a bit better at first.
  Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
  Follow up a meeting with a letter or an e-mail with all agreements outlined.
  The Japanese do not see contracts as a final agreement so it is possible the contract will be renegotiated.


• Table manners:
  If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of someone equal in rank.
  Wait until you are appointed a seat.
  Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little. Your glass will be refilled when you empty it.
  If making a toast, stand up.
  Eat not too much but finish your bowl untill the last grain, ohterwise the others think you want more.
  Keep your hands above the table when eating.
  After finishing eating, place your chopsticks on the chopstick rest or on the table.
  Thank your host at the end of the meal.
  

The Japanese Economy experienced an amazing growth phase after World War 2 and up until the 1980s. Japan became the second largest economy in the world after the United States. Nonetheless, in the 1990s the country experienced a decline in the growth, and some of its structural problems still hold it back.

Thanks to low tax rates, an abundance of economic freedom, and a system ruled by the private sector, Japan’s economy is the second largest economy in the world and the largest in Asia, based on real GDP, market exchange rates, and nominal GDP. Japan uses planned development of science and technology, and has a very strong work culture, which contributes to the country as a whole. It also emphasizes on a good relationship between the industrial sector and national government.

Japan has some characteristics that have marked its swiftly rise from the heritage of the Second World War, to superiority in the 1980s. In particular, manufacturers, their suppliers and distributors work closely together in informal but tight structures named keiretsu, with close support from several financial institutions and the government. For most of the last fifty years, large Japanese corporations have also provided guaranteed employment for life to ’salarymen’, typically male employees who work the highest number of hours on the planet in return for that commitment.

For continued growth rates and stability in the Japanese economy, the government has recently been considering a number of incentive ideas to manage inflation, increase service sector productivity, focus on fiscal consolidation, and modify the tax system and labor market. With a gross debt of 180% of GDP, additional measures to reduce the enormous budget deficit are becoming increasingly urgent. An improvement in the budget balance of between 4% and 5% of GDP (on a primary budget basis) is needed just to stabilize the government debt-to-GDP ratio, a first step towards the government’s goal of lowering the ratio in the 2010s.

The first priority is to further cut government spending, which has fallen by 2 percentage points as a share of GDP during the past five years, mainly through trimming public investment and the government wage bill. Disbursement reductions should be accompanied by reforms to improve efficiency in the public sector.

Address
Tokyo Narita International Airport
Narita-shi
Chiba 282-8601
Japan
Tel: (0476) 322 802
www.narita-airport.jp

Airport codes
IATA airport code: NRT
ICAO airport code: RJAA

Lost property
In case of lost property on the airport you can contact Narita Customs Lost Property Office:
Terminal 1: +81(0)476-32-6049
Terminal 2: +81(0)476-34-2157
8:30 - 17:00 (Closed Sat., Sun. and holidays)

Narita International Airport has 2 separate terminals with both an underground train stations. The two terminals are connected by a shuttle bus. The buses are available both inside and outside the security area. Buses inside the security is only for connecting passengers. You can also use the trains for this transfer; there is no pedestrian connection.

Train
For your connection to Tokyo you can take the Narita Express, a high-speed train connection which takes you to Tokyo in 53 minutes.

You can also use the Narita Express for traveling to Yokohama. This train takes you in 90 minutes to Yokohama.

Taxi
Fixed fares based on destination zones apply to services from Narita Airport Tokyo. Please go to the designated fixed fare taxi stands at the airport where a concierge will generally be on hand to assist. The taxi stand concierge will direct you to the first available cab on the rank, however, you are free to select the cab of your choice.

For non-Japanese speakers taking a taxi is not an easy option. To travel in confidence you need to have your destination written down in Japanese. Taxi’s can be expensive. The starting rate is 660 yen and this will take you 2 km. The meter then quickly mounts up. At night time be prepared for steeper charges. Between 11pm and 5 am the rate goes up by 20%. Most trainstations have a taxi rank or a taxi can be hailed from the roadside. A red light means vacant, a yellow light means not available. The green light means the night time surcharge is in operation.

Chez Figaro
For over 30 years, the clientele of the Peking has been international businessmen who favor Chinese court food with Japanese and French touches. White linen cloths, Chinese prints, calligraphy and vases together with a smattering of plants contribute to the restaurant’s atmosphere. If you are on a business trip to Tokyo, this is a great restaurant for entertaining your hosts.
4-4-1 Nishi Azabu
Minato-ku
Tokyo 106-0047
tel: +81 3 3400 8718

Restaurant Al Ponte
Traditional Northern Italian cuisine with an emphasis on seafood; crowded, popular with locals. Reservations recommended.
2-4-3 Nihonbashi Hamacho
Chuo-ku
Tokyo Japan
Phone: 3666-4499

Zakuro Restaurant
At Zakuro Restaurant in Tokyo, you can order shabu-shabu served in an authentic Chinese-style pot with a “chimney,” as seen in this meal specially prepared at the restaurant. Charcoal is placed in the central “chimney,” and once it is burning well, it keeps the broth boiling strongly, which is ideal for cooking.
TBS Kaikan Building, Basement
5-3-3 Akasaka, Akasaka
Tokyo Japan
Phone: 3582-6841

Shinbashi Atagoyama Tokyu Inn
This hotel is the perfect base for business travelers. Atago area was an estate town for Daimyo *Japanese feudal lord* in the 17th to 19th century and now this area is a vital business district. You could see many temples and shrines around our hotel. Tokyo Tower is less than 1km, it sparkles visionary at night. Atago area is next to Kasumigaseki, where the government office district is and also next to Roppongi, Ginza and Shinbashi district where it*s good to enjoy the fashion and culture of modern Japan.
1-6-6, Atago, Minato-Ku
Tokyo, Japan
More info about Shinbashi Atagoyama Tokyu Inn

Monterey La Soeur Ginza Hotel Tokyo
The Monterey La Soeur Ginza Hotel Tokyo is located in the famous Ginza area. Boutiques, international restaurants, and large department stores are all located nearby. The Tokyo International Forum is a short walk away. Guests may also be interested in visiting the local Kabuki Theater, Tokyo National Museum, Mori Art Museum, Tuskji Market, and the Hama Rikyu Garden. All are located within walking distance. The JR Tokyo Train Sation and a terminal of the bullet train are both a 10 minute drive from the Monterey La Soeur Ginza Hotel Tokyo. The Narita Airport is 38 miles away.
1-10-18 Ginza, Chuo-Ku
Tokyo, Japan
More info about Monterey La Soeur Ginza Hotel Tokyo

Dai Ichi Hotel Seafort Tokyo
The Dai Ichi Hotel is located at Tennoz Isle overlooking Tokyo Bay and offers direct access to Haneda Airport via the rail. Ideally situated for visitors to the area, it has a warm and welcoming atmosphere that emphasizes friendly and hospitable service. The hotel has excellent facilities as well as comfortable guest rooms and public areas. All of the guest rooms are comfortable and nicely equipped to give a feeling of being home while away from home.
2-3-15 Higashi Shinagawa Shinagawa-Ku
Tokyo, Japan
More info about Dai Ichi Hotel Seafort Tokyo

Shibuya
Shibuya is one of the twenty-three city wards of Tokyo, but often refers to just the popular shopping and entertainment area around Shibuya Station. Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most colorful and busy districts and birthplace to many of Japan’s fashion and entertainment trends. Most of the area’s large department and fashion stores belong to either Tokyu or Seibu, two competing corporations. A prominent landmark of Shibuya is the large intersection in front of the station (Hachiko Exit), which is heavily decorated by neon advertisements and giant video screens and gets crossed by amazingly large crowds of pedestrians each time the traffic light turns green.

Harajuku
Harajuku refers to the area around Tokyo’s Harajuku Station, one station north of Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. It is the center of Japan’s most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for grown-ups and some historic sights. The focal point of Harajuku’s teenage culture is Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) and its side streets, which are lined by many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothes stores, crepe stands and fast food outlets geared towards the fashion and trend conscious teens. In order to experience the teenage culture at its most extreme, visit Harajuku on a Sunday, when many young people gather around Harajuku Station and engage in cosplay ("costume play"), dressed up in crazy costumes to resemble anime characters, punk musicians, etc. Shops, cafes and restaurants for all ages are found along Omotesando, a broad, tree lined avenue, sometimes referred to as Tokyo’s Champs-Elysees. Omotesando Hills, a recently opened shopping complex along the avenue, has been attracting particularly lots of attention. However, Harajuku is not only about teenage culture and shopping. Meiji Shrine, one of Tokyo’s major shrines, is located just west of the railway tracks in a large green oasis shared with Yoyogi Park, a spacious public park. Beautiful ukiyo-e paintings are exhibited in the small Ota Memorial Museum of Art.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Tokyo’s Skyscraper District allows tourists free access to its 45th floor for amazing, 360-degree views of the endless Tokyo City sprawl. There’s a cafe on the same floor along with one of the best souvenir shops in the city.

Sensoji temple
The Sensoji temple is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, the center of the shitamachi. According to the legend in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, and even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. Consequently, Sensoji was built there for the goddess of Kannon. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo’s oldest temple. When approaching the temple, visitors first enter through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), the outer gate of the Sensoji and symbol of Asakusa. A shopping street of over 200 meters, called Nakamise, leads from the outer gate to the temple’s second gate, the Hozomon. Besides typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata and folding fans, various traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area are sold along the Nakamise. The shopping street has a history of several centuries. Beyond the Hozomon main gate stands the temple’s main building and a five storied pagoda. The Asakusa Shrine, built in the year 1649 by Tokugawa Iemitsu can be found close by the temple’s main building. Sensoji’s main hall is currently under renovation and covered by scaffolding. The works are scheduled to be completed by the end of November 2010. The temple grounds and the interior of the main hall can be visited during the renovation works. If you have enough time for sightseeing during your business trip to Tokyo, I would recommended you to visit it.

Akihabara Electric Town
It is the most famous tech town in Japan, even known as Akihabara Electric Town. Funny thing is, the train station in Akihabara actually has a exit to enter the main area that has electronics in Akihabara. Perfect timing is to go at night, it has one of the best night scenes in Tokyo.

For medical help you can contact AMDA International Medical Information Center of Japan. They provide telephone help in English Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Call 03-5285-8088 in Tokyo, or 06-4395-0555 in Osaka.

For emergencies you can turn to the International Medical Center of Japan. More info can be found on their website: www.imcj.go.jp
Tel: 03-3202-7181
1-21-1 Toyama
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655

For visitor from 63 countries it is no neccessary to apply for a visa when your stay contains only a limited number of days.

A list of these countries you can find on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan:
www.mofa.go.jp

On this website you can also read how you can apply for a visa when your stay is longer than the indicated number of days or you are from a country that is not included on this list.