I had the pleasure of a week-long business trip to Tokyo, where Beta Systems Software AG hosted a professional conference with our longstanding and very successful sales partner, Softplex. It was a remarkable trip in many ways: on the one hand, due to the very productive and harmonious collaboration with Softplex, and on the other, because of the experience of Japanese work and life culture, which is both impressive and inspiring.
Such a business trip requires systematic preparation. Alongside exchanges with colleagues who have traveled to Japan multiple times, I read a business etiquette guide on Japan. Additionally, the film Perfect Days (IMDb Rating: 7.9) by Wim Wenders and the book “Ikigai – The Japanese Art of Living” by Ken Mogi provided excellent insight into this stay – and I highly recommend both, even for those not planning a trip to Japan.
Below are some personal observations on daily work and life in Tokyo, supplemented by insights from many conversations with our Japanese business partners, who provided exceptional support throughout the week. Additionally, I’ve included a few impressions from a more tourist perspective (thanks to an early weekend arrival, I was able to leisurely visit some of Tokyo’s top attractions on a Sunday).
Observations on daily life
Japanese culture is well-known for its high level of discipline and strong sense of order. This is immediately noticeable upon entering the Japanese world: at pedestrian crossings (never crossing on red), on escalators (walking on the right, standing on the left), in the organized appearance of both main and side streets, impeccably clean streets and parks, punctuality (at business meetings and metro stations), and in the orderly lines formed at metro stations.
Equally characteristic of Japan is the polite restraint shown by individuals (Japan being a community-oriented culture), a pronounced politeness, and a strong focus on customer service.
When dining out, one notices the variety of small restaurants, whether for sushi, ramen, or other types. It’s not uncommon to find places with only six or fourteen seats. This is partly due to Tokyo’s limited space (which leads to a quick guest turnover – especially during lunch, meals are served fast, and patrons often stay just 10 minutes). One of our hosts confirmed that Japanese people feel most comfortable in this kind of setting.
Speaking of dining: Japanese people often enjoy their drinks ice-cold. Coca-Cola or even water is served with ice cubes (as is well depicted in the film Perfect Days). In contrast to countries like India (or Mongolia), where – inspired by Ayurvedic principles – people prefer hot drinks on both cold and hot days, Japan takes the opposite approach. Apartments, one of our hosts shared, are also rarely heated to high levels.
Japan, in my view, is also a vending machine culture. Beverage vending machines are surprisingly abundant throughout Tokyo – at street corners and sometimes even in the entrances of apartment buildings:
You also frequently see vending machines selling figurines and similar items in an astonishing variety. These are somewhat comparable to gumball machines (which have largely disappeared from public life in Germany). In the mega-store Yodobashi, there are hundreds of these machines stacked on top of and next to each other across 200 to 300 square meters, creating a unique shopping experience.
When one thinks of Japan, sumo often comes to mind. Who doesn’t recognize the hefty sumo wrestlers who attempt to push each other out of the ring? It’s a spectacle that usually lasts around 10 seconds, rarely more than 30. Interestingly, I didn’t find a single sumo fan among my hosts – this national sport seems to be losing popularity. One of my hosts explained that ten years ago, everyone in Japan knew the current sumo grand champion (“yokozuna”). Today, that’s no longer the case, as baseball and American football have gained popularity.
While walking through the city, you’ll frequently come across Shinto shrines: small shrines covering 80 to 150 square meters, as well as major tourist attractions like the Meiji Shrine or Asakusa Shrine:
Wikipedia provides this compact description of Shintoism in Japan: “The majority of Japanese people feel connected to both Shinto and Buddhism. (…) Shinto (translated as ‘Way of the Kami’) – often referred to as Shintoism – is the belief in Japan’s native gods, which can embody natural forces and deified ancestors. Shinto is a polytheistic religion without a founder or established doctrines and therefore differs in concept from monotheistic scriptural religions. Ideas about the afterlife and morality are not clearly defined and are strongly influenced by Buddhism or Chinese concepts. In essence, Shinto is a coexistence of local traditions with a shared ritualistic core.”
Earthquakes are part of daily life in Japan. Every 3 to 4 days, there’s a noticeable tremor. Our hosts advised us: in the event of a longer-lasting earthquake, it’s best to stand in a doorway with the door open.
The Japan Meteorological Agency provides a useful overview of daily tremors in Japan, showing how common magnitude 3 to 4 earthquakes are. CLICK HERE to get to that website on “Earthquake Information”:
News about Japan’s demographic challenges and the strategy of using robotics in elder care is well-known. What’s surprising, however, is how generously Japan employs (support) staff in many areas. For instance, uniformed attendants can be found at parking garage entrances, directing incoming cars, and additional attendants at secured construction sites manage traffic with illuminated batons around the clock. To a foreign visitor, this may seem paradoxical … something I’ll explore further on my next opportunity.
Observations from the Business World in Japan
The classic etiquette rules for doing business in Japan: Business cards are presented with a small ceremony, handed over with both hands and accompanied by a slight bow. No nose-blowing during meetings. Be punctual. And it’s advisable to bring ties along in this relatively formal culture.
What I learned on-site: Japanese employees often stay with the same employer their entire lives, demonstrating strong loyalty and connection to their employer. While more people are now changing jobs, it’s still far less common than in Germany.
There is also a strong work culture. Overtime is more the rule than the exception. The phenomenon of “karoshi” – death from overwork – is rare, but it influences the perception of Japan’s work culture. Important context: In Japan, one’s profession is a significant part of their identity. People strongly identify with their jobs, which is why they place so much importance on it. The week is essentially devoted to work, with only the weekend reserved for family.
New employees typically receive about 10 vacation days (the legal minimum). After longer tenure, around 20 vacation days are common.
A crucial takeaway for software go-to-market strategies in Japan: Analyst ratings from firms like GARTNER (and Enterprise Management Associates for workload automation, such as the software from Beta Systems Software AG) play only a minor role. Far more important: Are there already Japanese companies using the software?
Needless to say, communication patterns are culturally very different. This could be a topic for an entire evening – but here’s a quick note: Just like in Germany, it can be helpful to bring up certain topics in a more relaxed setting, such as at the bar in the evening, when ties are loosened, and, after a glass or two of sake, beer, or whiskey, the conversation becomes less formal. Here, you can discuss more critical points or test reactions to new ideas.
Tokyo Experience
The Tokyo experience is vast, with plenty of resources available online. Here, I’d like to share my personal highlights:
At the top of the list: the Digital Art Museum. An absolutely fantastic, fully immersive experience. The video below offers a great preview. A tip: the museum is very popular, so be sure to buy tickets a few days in advance.
As a sushi fan, I visited the Tsukiji Fish Market in the morning, where you can enjoy a variety of fresh delicacies, either straight from the catch or grilled to a perfect crisp:
In general, the food here is excellent. I even had the pleasure of dining at a restaurant where fresh wasabi was grated at our table (the wasabi typically found in sushi restaurants is colored horseradish, as real wasabi is extremely rare and costly):
The teaser image was created with Midjourney.ai, using the following prompt: A highly realistic night scene of Tokyo’s futuristic skyline, blending modern skyscrapers with traditional Japanese elements. Neon signs and glowing billboards light up the bustling city streets, with the iconic Tokyo Tower standing tall in the distance. The image captures the energetic yet serene essence of Tokyo at night. Shot with a Canon EOS camera, ultra-realistic, sharp details.
