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