JAPAN

1. JAPAN Nonverbal Communication By Andrea Hansen

2. Nonverbal Communication • Categories I will discuss include: • Kinesics (body movement; including face) • Proxemics (space and distance) • Physical Appearance • Paralanguage • Silence • Time

3. High-Context Culture • Hierarchal Society

4. Kinesics Gestures • Joining palms together communicates the Buddhist idea “we can live for the sake of other living things.” • (Nishiyama, 2000) • Bowing is a customary introduction • Keep eyes low • Communicates status • The lower status the lower the bow. • (“Kwintessential Cross Cultural Solutions,” 2008)

5. Kinesics (cont’d) Gestures • Pointing your index finger is considered rude. • Instead, point with your whole hand. • Tilting of the head communicates incomprehension or confusion (Nishiyama, 2000). • Crossing your fingers means “dirty.” • The “OK” gesture means money in Japan. • (“Cyborlink International Business Etiquette,” p. 2).

6. Kinesics (cont’d) Eye Contact • The Japanese direct their gaze below the chin rather than at the eyes. • Avoidance of eye contact communicates respect. • Making eye contact is seen as aggressive and rude. • (“Kwintessential Cross Cultural Solutions,” 2008).

7. Kinesics (cont’d) • Eye contact challenges status and communicates a need to be equal. • This is unacceptable, as the Japanese culture is very conscious of inequality markers. • Class, status, power, etc. • Inequality is expected and abided by. • (Nishiyama, 2000).

8. Kinesics (cont’d) Posture • Sitting up straight with both feet on the floor is customary. • Legs may be crossed at the ankle only. • (Nishiyama, 2000). • The Japanese walk in short quick strides and drooping shoulders, called teishisei (Nishiyama, 2000). • Communicates humility and respect. • In the U.S. slumped posture communicates a lack of confidence, but in Japan it is expected.

9. Kinesics (cont’d) Facial Expressions • The Japanese maintain a calm, unrevealing face. • Emotions are not usually shown through the face. • A smile can express joy or displeasure. • Susceptible to misunderstanding • (“Cyborlink International Business Etiquette,” p.2) • A mysterious smile communicates embarrassment. • The Japanese often avoid answering negative or awkward questions by smiling.

10. Proxemics Personal and Physical • Personal space is greatly valued. • In crowded spaces, the Japanese will avoid eye contact in an effort to preserve privacy. • (“Kwintessential Cross Cultural Solutions,” 2008). • The Japanese are accustomed to tightly crowded spaces. • (“Kwintessential Cross Cultural Solutions,” 2008). • However, this is not to say they prefer having their physical space invaded.

11. Proxemics (cont’d) • The Japanese will stand so there is plenty of space between them and the person they are communicating with. • (Nishiyama, 2000). • Public distance is maintained in all situations, except with intimates. • The physical space provided shows the respect and value of personal space in Japan. • (Nishiyama, 2000).

12. Physical Appearance • Kimonos are worn at dinner occasions and any other formal engagement. • Name brand clothing and accessories suggest wealth and high status. • (Nishiyama, 2000) • The Japanese dress code is situation-controlled, but always reflects group identity and status. • Based upon what position they hold in collective society.

13. Paralanguage • Refers to rate, volume, and quality that affects the meaning of the message. • The high context nature of the Japanese culture influences paralanguage. • The Japanese “communicate in ways that camouflage and conceal the speaker’s true feelings, often to secure harmony” (Neuliep, 1997). • Their paralanguage includes utterances such as “hai,” “soo,” and “ee.” • (Nishiyama, 2000).

14. Silence • The Japanese like periods of silence and do not like to be hurried. • “Those who know do not speak - those who speak do not know.”– Japanese Proverb • Emphasizes the value of silence over words. • (Neuliep, 1997). • Reliance on silence comes from the mistrust of words. • An “actions speak louder than words” kind of mentality.

15. Silence (cont’d) • The Japanese rely on the nonverbal cues that silence accentuates. • “Silence communicates mutual understanding,” and can also communicate status (Neuliep, 1997). • i.e. a person of lower status than the speakershowing respect by their silence

16. Time • Polychronic vs. Monochronic • Polychronic time- relationships are the central focus; a collectivist attitude towards time. • Monochronic time- only one major activity at a time; planning a schedule and sticking to it. • The Japanese are on polychronic time. • They engage in multiple activities and have a more flexible attitude towards time. • They emphasize people more than tasks and schedules. • (Nishiyama, 2000)

17. Analysis • Japan’s hierarchal society shows through its nonverbal communication customs. • Bowing customs follow status-oriented guidelines. • External appearance reflects and communicates one’s status and position in society. • Silence is used to communicate respect to those of higher status. • The Japanese high-context culture is evident in their… • polychronic time nature, emphasizing flexibility over schedules • “indirect, subtle and impersonal” paralanguage and facial expressions (Neuliep, 1997).

18. Analysis (cont’d) • The Japanese value harmony and strive to achieve it through.. • politeness through facial expressions • giving space when conversing to show respect for others’ personal space • using calm tones and paralanguage to conceal negativity • It is imperative that I, being an American citizen, familiarize myself and stay fully aware of the nonverbal communication customs of other cultures. • Without this awareness, effective communication will not be possible.

19. Conclusion • In researching Japanese nonverbal communication customs, I learned that… • There is a profound difference between high-context and low-context cultures. • The U.S. is a predominantly low-context culture, and varies from Japan in the use of time, space, hierarchal structure, paralanguage, gestures, and other kinesics. • Learning the differences in nonverbal communication between cultures is crucial for effective intercultural communication.

20. Bibliography Neuliep, J. W. (July-August 1997). A cross-cultural comparison of teacher immediacy in American and Japanese college classrooms.  Communication Research.  24, n4. p.431(21). Retrieved May 17, 2010, from Academic OneFile via Gale: http://find.galegroup.com.proxy.msbcollege.edu/gtx/start.do?prodId=A ONE&userGroupName=mnapcl Nishiyama, K. (2000).  Doing business with Japan: successful strategies for intercultural communication.  Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii  Press. Japan-Business Etiquette, Manners, Cross Cultural Communications and Geert Hofstede Analysis. (n.d.). Cyborlink International Business Etiquette Web Site. Retrieved May 18, 2010, from http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/japan.htm Japan-Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquette. (2008). Kwintessential Cross Cultural Solutions Web Site. Retrieved May 17, 2010, from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/japan-country-profiles.html

21. Bibliography(cont’d) Images (in order of appearance) Cover Slide Image http://www.bornplaydie.com/japan/travel/kyoto/kyoto.htm Two Geishas Image http://geek-girl.tumblr.com/ Bowing Image http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/a57290321 Geisha Eye Contact Image http://geek-girl.tumblr.com/ Eye Contact Image #2 http://avatars.imvu.com/Sorasu

22. Bibliography(cont’d) Mysterious Smile Image http://creative.ly/item/200092/2JCCt Kyoto Crowd Image http://www.khulsey.com/travel/japan_kyoto_ginkakuji-temple.html Lipstick Geisha Image http://nogoodforme.filmstills.org/blog/archives/cat_how_to_dress_yourself.html Geisha Back Image http://kimonovintage.blogspot.com/2007_09_09_archive.html Body Language Animation http://www.edu-negev.gov.il/bs/makif7/english/bodyl2.jpg