Non-adversarial comunication

There are many paradoxes in many aspects of Japanese life. The first paradox to note is that for all Japanese, there are two aspects to everything - a front and a back. There is the side which is visible and a side which cannot be seen but which it is assumed those conversing are aware of - en though it will not specifically be mentioned.

Instead of shaking hands, it is customary to bow as a form of greetings. Bowing is characteristic of the Japanese because it is a non-contact greeting. Studied have shown that the Japanese touch each other deliberately far less frequently than Westerners. Japanese bowing is a prelude to conversation which may precede business meeting, and it is similarly a signal of non-aggressive intent on meeting which is carried through into their verbal dealings with each other.

The non-combative analogy applies to Japanese communication. The Japanese try to conduct their conversations to avoid anyone obviously losing face. The use of non-adversarial communication among the Japanese is also influenced by the lack of precision of their language. Japanese have to communicate by not only using their characters and words, but by considering the nuances, the context and positions of the words in what is said, and their feelings about how the speaker has spoken.

Because Japanese have to clarify the meaning to themselves before responding, they do not respond immediately. 'Think before you speak' is natural for the Japanese. Thus, for the Japanese, it can take rather longer to talk things over or to reach a conclusion than it would using a Western language.

(R Hannam, Kaizen for Europe, pp21-26)