How to Shake Hands with the Japanese (2024)

How to Shake Hands with the Japanese (1)

Shaking hands is common in Japanese culture.

However, it is not a habit that’s native to them - meaning there are some cultural differences.

Many foreigners, mainly Westerners, commonly note that “they don’t shake hands like we do.”

Yes, because they’re Japanese!

Although the handshake is used on a daily basis, it’s done differently.

Let's learn more.

Remember, this is just a general overview of Japanese culture - not hard and fast rules that define every Japanese person you'll meet when doing business.

At the END of the PAGE you'll find a FREE SAMPLE of our eLearning course on JAPANESE BUSINESS CULTURE.

The Bow vs. Handshake

Although the Western-style shaking of hands has been widely accepted in Japan it has not replaced the traditional bow or reduced its overall importance in Japanese society.

Many Japanese use a combination of bowing and shaking hands.

However, there are situations when the bow is a must – for example at a formal event such as a signing ceremony or when hosting important people.

Pretty much all Japanese people, including women, now automatically shake hands when meeting with foreigners.

How to Shake Hands with the Japanese (2)

Did you know that Japan is ranked as one of the more difficult business cultures?

The Business Culture Complexity Index™ ranks it 24th out of the top 50 world economies.

Shaking Hands the Japanese Way

Probably the most common cultural faux pas committed by foreigners in Japan is to grab someone’s hand and give it a good old firm shake.

This isn’t nice for the Japanese.

Where you come from it may be a sign of friendliness and a positive attitude but in Japan, it’s aggressive.

When the Japanese shake hands they do it with a certain softness. This can be interpreted by foreigners as ‘weak’ and demonstrative of something being held back, or that things aren’t quite right.

Naturally, this isn’t the case. The foreigner is looking through their cultural lens and misunderstanding the signals.

When shaking hands with the Japanese, the best approach is to test initial reactions. So, if you feel a firm grip, give it back, otherwise ease off on the pressure.

Another thing to be conscious of is to not rush to shake hands; give it a few more seconds than you normally would to allow people to establish context and comfort.

For example, some Japanese may first want to hand you their business card and then shake hands.

Of course, if someone offers his or her hand immediately, it is perfectly all right to take it.

How can you learn more about Japanese Business Culture?

If you’re serious about learning more, then take our eLearning course on Japanese business culture and practices.

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How to Shake Hands with the Japanese (3)

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How to Shake Hands with the Japanese (2024)

FAQs

How to Shake Hands with the Japanese? ›

The Japanese handshake is limp and with little or no eye contact. Some Japanese bow and shake hands. The bow is a highly regarded greeting to show respect and is appreciated by the Japanese. A slight bow to show courtesy is acceptable.

What is Japanese greeting etiquette? ›

In Japan, people greet each other by bowing. A bow can ranges from a small nod of the head to a deep bend at the waist. A deeper, longer bow indicates respect and conversely a small nod with the head is casual and informal. If the greeting takes place on tatami floor, people get on their knees to bow.

What is considered rude in Japanese culture? ›

Pointing or waving at people or objects with chopsticks is considered to be impolite. Chewing with one's mouth open is considered impolite. When eating soup or rice, it is acceptable to lift the bowl closer to your mouth to avoid spilling food.

How to show respect to Japanese? ›

Greeting and bowing in Japan

Learning every single rule for how and when to bow isn't necessary for non-Japanese people unless you are in a very formal situation. However, a courteous nod or bow of the head when greeting someone or entering and leaving an establishment will go a long way.

How do you shake hands respectfully? ›

Don't begin your handshake until you have connected web-to-web and the palms of your hands are touching. Shake from the elbow, not the wrist or shoulder, with two smooth pumps. Squeeze until you feel their muscles tighten, and then stop. Match the other person's grip.

What does moshi moshi mean? ›

Moshi Moshi is an informal telephone greeting in Japan that literally translates to “I speak, I speak”, or “I say, I say”. In our Moshi Moshi seasonal...

How to shake hands in Japan? ›

Most Japanese people, when meeting with a foreign person, will expect to shake hands. I usually advise that a slight nod of the head or bend at the waist is a good cultural compromise when shaking hands with a Japanese person.

What is a polite gesture in Japan? ›

Bowing is a traditional and respectful gesture in Japan. It is used as a form of greeting, as a way to show gratitude or apologize, and as a way to show respect to elders or those in higher positions. The depth of the bow depends on the situation and the relationship between the individuals.

What is the 3 handshake rule? ›

TCP Three-Way Handshake. The client chooses an initial sequence number, set in the first SYN packet. The server also chooses its own initial sequence number, set in the SYN/ACK packet shown in Figure 3.8. Each side acknowledges each other's sequence number by incrementing it; this is the acknowledgement number.

What is the five handshake rule? ›

It is also known as the six handshakes rule. The concept was originally set out in a 1929 short story by Frigyes Karinthy, in which a group of people play a game of trying to connect any person in the world to themselves by a chain of five others. It was popularized in John Guare's 1990 play Six Degrees of Separation.

What is the handshake rule? ›

The Six handshakes rule (also called “The Six degrees of separation” rule) suggests that anyone in the planet can be connected to anyone else in just six steps.

How are Japanese greetings different from American greetings? ›

While Americans greet each other with a handshake or hug, Japanese people usually nod or bow. Americans often greet each other with a handshake, kiss on the cheek, or hug. But in Japan, people greet each other by bowing or giving a simple nod.

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