| Japan continues to rise in the art of | | | | |
| maintaining remarkable goodwill with its | | | | The gift itself should be downplayed as much |
| business partners. More than ever before, | | | | as possible. This is usual in all Asian |
| the Land of the Rising Sun offers corporate | | | | cultures. The friendship should be allowed to |
| gifts as a way of giving high regard to both | | | | come to the forefront rather than the |
| customers and employees. | | | | material object which is symbolic of it. |
| | | | |
| Gifts do not have to be of high value, | | | | Monetary gifts or ones displaying the company |
| although if they are, this will not be | | | | logo are not usually acceptable in Japan. |
| considered a bribe or insult. For senior | | | | |
| Japanese executives however, the gifts should | | | | As for when to present your gift, the end of |
| be higher quality with increasing rank. It is | | | | a visit is the best time. Corporate gifts are |
| important to observe gift giving etiquette | | | | usually given during mid-year, i.e. on the |
| because failure to do so will surely cause | | | | 15th of July, and at the end of the year, on |
| offense. | | | | January the 1st. |
| | | | |
| Gifts should be wrapped, but the paper should | | | | It is not difficult to choose a gift for a |
| not be too bright, nor white. Be especially | | | | Japanese person, although as has been |
| wary of white because it symbolizes death. | | | | mentioned, if multiple gifts are to be made, |
| Also never give things in sets of four, | | | | a strict ranking of worth is essential |
| because the Japanese word for four, "shi", | | | | according to company position. Products which |
| closely resembles the word for death. | | | | are unavailable in Japan are always welcome, |
| Unfortunately, this rules out golf balls. The | | | | as are extremely expensive ones. Pen which is |
| Japanese can be very superstitious about | | | | a symbol of knowledge, is one appropriate |
| this. | | | | gifts for Japanese colleagues. It is also |
| | | | easy to pack. |
| Both hands must always be used to present a | | | | |
| gift, or even a business card. | | | | Gift giving in the Pacific rim, on the other |
| | | | hand, is not as formal and ritual-bound as in |
| Never show up with a gift in unexpected | | | | Japan although the importance of a corporate |
| situations, except on special occasions such | | | | gift is also considered essential as much as |
| as a first meeting when it will be obvious | | | | showing slight reluctance in accepting a |
| that you are giving something. Instead, you | | | | business gift. |
| should let drop some kind of subtle hint that | | | | |
| you would like to present a small token of | | | | Corporate gifts are a bit more problematic in |
| respect or memento in the near future. | | | | China, where giving gifts to officials was |
| | | | banned during the communist regime. |
| When the gift is for a group, make sure that | | | | Gift-giving is enjoying a popular resurgence, |
| all are assembled before making the | | | | but to avoid giving the impression that it is |
| presentation and bear in mind that it is | | | | a bribe, the following guidelines should be |
| considered extremely rude to present a gift | | | | observed: your gift should not be too |
| to only one recipient. It must either be | | | | expensive, should carry the company logo and |
| presented to the whole group, or a gift given | | | | preferably be presented to a group rather |
| to each individual member. | | | | than to a single executive. |