How to Speak Japanese Cross-culturally (All Levels)

Takashi Kawatani

Let me ask you an important question.

Are you perhaps feeling distant from your Japanese acquaintances?

Are you unsure whether your Japanese counterparts are speaking their true minds to you?

Let me ask you an important question.

Are you perhaps feeling distant from your Japanese acquaintances?

Are you unsure whether your Japanese counterparts are speaking their true minds to you?

Have you ever had the impression that your business abilities might not be coming across in the best light due to your limited knowledge of Japanese?

If this sounds familiar, you are in the right hands.

If you can’t afford to spend months learning the language, but want to strike an emotional connection with Japanese colleagues or customers, this course will be a unique chance for you to reach your objectives.

It is always better to be on the polite side in crosscultural interactions. However, this does not mean that you can’t be authentic or that you have to resign to being unable to show your true value.

This course is not going to teach you another set of situational phrases you find in most courses. It teaches you "what's missing" there: how to communicate at a deeper level, pushing levers that are normally out of reach for foreigners and whose effect is to allow Japanese interlocutors to feel at ease with you.

You will get glimpses into an elusive dimension that language courses cannot show you: evoking this deeper cultural level will be key in persuading your counterparts to trust you and give you the chance to become even an indispensable colleague or partner to them. All this with simple "connecting" phrases that anyone, whatever their language proficiency, can use every day, both in face-to-face interactions and in written correspondence.

Wondering how you are supposed to do this while being a beginner?

Secret 1: The idea for this course and the language I am going to share have been inspired by real fieldwork. I facilitated crosscultural training programmes for a total of 20,000 Japanese management executives and their foreign counterparts over 30 years, collaborating with Japanese firms in 20 countries.

Secret 2: The course puts particular care in getting across what the right context for using the phrases is, in order to have the right kind of impact. But in the end it doesn’t matter if you don’t get the context exactly right. The sentences are such, that those hearing them will be anyway impressed by your efforts to familiarise yourself with the local work styles.

Secret 3: Here and there in the course, you will find a number of key phrases paired with graphics, illustrating important philosophical concepts behind Japanese business behaviours. You will therefore not only be able to appreciate the meanings of the phrases, but also understand which cultural levers are being pushed in the Japanese mind when you use them. This knowledge is an exclusive takeaway from this course which will become an invaluable asset in your crosscultural toolkit.

So, by the end of the course, you will be able to:

1. Understand the Five Golden Rules for connecting with the Japanese

2. Learn select connecting phrases and the right context for them

3. Acquire Japanese communication skills and crosscultural knowledge

4. Know how to become an indispensable partner of Japanese people

The Japanese, in their hearts, are eager for you to step forward and help them drop their polite mask to connect. I want to help you become such a person by Speaking Japanese Cross-culturally.

One last thing: If you have been "studying" Japanese with books and language schools, you might find my phrases unfamiliar or different from what you learned. If you feel so, that means you are learning the real business Japanese for the first time. Just memorise and use them in real interaction. Then you will see the smiling faces of your Japanese partners.^^

See you inside the video.

N.B. This is a new course, so I would very much appreciate your comments in the reviews. Thank you in advance ^^.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Select phrases to spark a real connection with japanese business partners
Culturally meaningful expressions to promote empathy and build trust

How to sound more reliable even with only basic fluency
Japan-specific intercultural communication skills

Select phrases to spark a real connection with japanese business partners
Culturally meaningful expressions to promote empathy and build trust
How to sound more reliable even with only basic fluency
Japan-specific intercultural communication skills

Syllabus

Learn a street-smart way to acquire pragmatic Japanese that allows you to get your job done and become an indispensable partner of Japanese.

Welcome to the Unique Course! Goals and features of the course.

What does "connection" mean? Why does it improve your impression and make them feel you are "reliable"?

Guide you through the 5 sections of the course curriculum and how you can get the most out of it.

Defining the Five Golden Rules and their functions.

Understand the core of Japanese culture: appreciation and apology.

Have a watch about the special animation I have created about the differences of "appreciation" between English and Japanese.

Learn how to say "arigatou gozaimsu" or thank you and "osewani natte orimasu..." or thank you for your care, in the right context. You will also discover the true meaning of "arigatou".

"Okagesama de..." or thanks to you... is another way to show appreciation to make connection deeper. You will also understand why Japanese say so to someone who in fact has not done anything concrete to help you.

Learn various types of apologies and ways to say "sumimasen" or I'm sorry. You will also understand the calming effect of apology at work with an amazing story about "sumimasen".

Summary of key phrases in this section. You can download PDF file for practice.

Learn the art of using phrases that connect past, present and future. You will also learn why Japanese feel uncomfortable when a conversation does not start with the reference to past event.

You will understand the contrasting social pacing of step by step approach of Japan and the leap frog approach of other cultures. You will learn the phrases of step-by-step approach.

Japanese like to start conversation by referring to the shared past: something you and they did together or that has happened since the last meeting or communication.

You will practice phrases to refer to the present events by smoothly transitioning from the shared past. You will also understand why the present detached from the past makes them feel insecure however efficiently your conversation might go.

Practice future phrases that indicate your interest to keep relationship long. You will also learn any future talk must be backed up by sound track record (past) and the visible results (present).

Learn strategic phrases to make them believe you are an indispensable person they cannot afford to lose. You will also learn how to add value differently from the Japanese.

Japanese approach things wholistically, not linearly. Following this philosophy, you will learn phrases to show you are curious in all things around you, even outside your specialised area.

Japanese like to learn together - moving all directions across organisational lines. Learn the communication skills 360 degree.

Japanese encourage workers to bounce back from difficulties and challenges. They value people who have grit and perseverance. Use the phrases to show your enthusiasm to contribute.

Revealing your weaknesses "enhances" your credibility in Japan! You will learn phrases to disclose your weaknesses in a positive way and show your willingness to learn constantly.

Being open to your weaknesses in a professional way is viewed as a mature, sincere attitude of a serious worker. Asking for help is not viewed as incompetent but is welcome in Japan.

After mentioning about your weaknesses, make sure to ask how to improve it. With the question skill, you can send a signal that you want to learn from mistakes made.

When you are not too confident, "consult" with anyone 360 degree who might be able to advise you. You will learn the phrases to consult for ideas, tips and solutions.

The most important point for winning the trust of a Japanese person is your "professional attitude". You will learn three ways to communicate professionalism and the corresponding phrases in use.

To conclude the program, know the behaviours in 3 categories below Japanese managers frown upon and treasure. Use this session to make sure your words and actions match to build trust.

Timing
No Ego
Commitment

While Japanese frown upon immature hastiness, they treasure mature preparation. Actions must be timely to have the greatest effect. Learn the typical phrases associated with this thought.

Trying to protect and promote oneself when things are not going well will be viewed egoistic. It is the last thing you should look with Japanese. Learn self-deprecating phrases that are treasured in Japan.

Japanese take pride in bringing things to perfection. They despise quality and attitude in appearance only. Learn the phrases to express attention to quality, substance over appearance and walk the talk, not talk the talk.

Summary of the course and how to use what you have learned in your daily communication with Japanese people.

Summarise Five Golden Rules in a self-assessment format and reflect upon the lessons learned.

How to use what you have learned in your daily communication to win together with Japanese people.

Bonus Lecture

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores Japanese business customs and etiquette, which is standard for working with Japanese colleagues and clients

Taught by Takashi Kawatani, who have nearly three decades of experience facilitating cross-cultural training for Japanese executives and western counterparts

Develops skills in cross-cultural communication, which are core skills for foreigners working with Japanese companies

Helps learners understand how to build trust with Japanese people, which is a crucial element in business relationships

Provides insights into Japanese culture and social cues, which can be difficult for foreigners to interpret

Teaches practical phrases and expressions that can be used in business interactions with Japanese people

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Speak Japanese Cross-culturally (All Levels) with these activities:

Review Japanese politeness basics

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Review the basics of Japanese politeness and communication to strengthen your foundation for learning the phrases taught in this course.

Browse courses on Japanese Communication

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Review the concept of 'tatemae' and 'honne' in Japanese culture
Practice using polite phrases such as 'sumimasen' and 'arigatou gozaimasu'
Learn about the importance of using appropriate honorifics

Attend a workshop on Japanese business etiquette

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Attend a workshop led by experts to gain insights into Japanese business etiquette and cultural norms, complementing the knowledge gained from this course and enhancing your ability to navigate business situations effectively.

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Research and identify relevant workshops in your area or online
Register for the workshop and prepare any necessary materials
Actively participate in the workshop, taking notes and asking questions
Apply the knowledge and skills gained from the workshop in your interactions with Japanese colleagues and clients

Show all two activities