this time of rebuilding they depended on others for much of the technology needed to rebuild their country. Now that they have gained a competitive edge in today’s technology, they do not want to deal with the same partners as before. It is beneficial to any firm doing business with the Japanese to assure them that both are on equal ground and will receive equal and fair treatment and respect. This will help the Japanese feel more comfortable about a contract and more willing to sign and agree with one. There is also a pact per say with the Japanese national bank that allows Japanese countries to render some of the financial burdens of a contract if the bank is notified of the contract and approves it at least thirty days in advance. This relieves some of the tension involved with signing the contracts.There are four important, complex, and interrelated Japanese concepts that have a strong influence on how the Japanese do business and conduct their personal lives (Ibid. p.64). These four concepts are Nintai (patience), kao (face), giri (duties), and on (obligations). Nintai, all though there is no direct English translation, means in a business context that one has the endurance and intellectual capability to uncover methodically and carefully every factor that might have even the slightest bearing on a business decision or the outcome of a negotiation. This includes many aspects of negotiations including the sides taking enough time to think about and thoroughly prepare themselves for the negotiations. If you are lacking in nintai you run the risk of constantly being in danger of losing kao (face). Kao is considered to be the most precious commodity a Japanese has. When someone in Japan has a spotless kao they are looked upon buy their peers, employers, coworkers and family as being in tune with society. One of the worst mistakes anyone can make in their dealings with Japanese is to put down their work and embarrass t...
