AboutTai Yamanaka Expertise I can answer questions regarding Japanese business culture, business etiquette, corporate society, as well as provide know-how on how to research industries, corporations and communicate with business contacts.
Experience I have over 20 years of experience working in Japanese corporations as well as for American corporations doing business with Japan. I have served as a representative as well as a go-between for American and other corporations with Japanese businesses, industry and scholarly associations as well as government agencies
Expert: Tai Yamanaka Date: 11/6/2007 Subject: Timing of gift Giving
Question When is the appropriate time during a business meeting to give your Japanese visitor a gift? At the beginning when they arrive, or when they are leaving?
Answer Hello Pam,
Thank you for your question.
There doesn't seem to be a set time for presenting a gift, since I remember exchanges of gifts both at beginnings and endings of meetings in my Japanese corporate days.
The typical visit, though would involve not just a meeting during the day, but a dinner later in the evening when the gifts would be exchanged after the first round of toasts when everyone including the host and guests had settled down.
If you are just having a daytime meeting, then maybe giving the gift at the end of the meeting may be the most appropriate, since that would signal a closure of that meeting. Also, giving it at the end would prevent the quality of the gift from influencing the course of the meeting itself.
A better solution might be to match what the visitor does, since they might bring gifts also, if they are the visitors. When they present you their gift, you can reciprocate with your gift.
I hope this helps.
Please let know if I can help with other questions.
