Pictured here is the Kabukiza Theater located in Ginza 4-chome. Kabuki is one of Japan's three classical theatrical art forms, along with Bunraku Puppet Theater and Noh classic, masked drama with dance and song.

The name Ginza means "seat of silver - gin=silver, za=seat", which dates back to the Edo period when the area was the location of a foundry that minted coins. After the foundry moved, the area modernized and became home to the latest foods and fashion trends from around the world,.

Cultural Savvy offers customized training, onsite or virtually, that focuses on the specific areas of interest and needs of the organization. The "one size fits all" approach to training is not an effective approach.

• Give people a fundamental understanding of Japanese culture, their work styles, how things get done and the "whys" behind the behaviors.
• Enable each participant to communicate clearly across the cultural barriers and build collaborative relationships with Japanese counterparts.
• Highlight common misperceptions and stereotypes
• Understand potential pitfalls, how to avoid them and how to resolve issues that arise.
• Identify key differences in Western/Japanese management/communication styles

Sample Topics

• Key Cultural Concepts
  • Harmonious Relations: Wa
  • The Proper Form: Kata
  • The Hierarchal Order: Tateshakai, Ue /Shita
  • The Situational Principle: Ba
  • The Meaningful Silence: Ma
  • The Inside - Outside Groups: Uchi / Soto
  • Social Reciprocity: On / Giri
  • Public - Private: Tatemae / Honne
• Cultural Mindset - the "Why" Behind the Behaviors
• Japanese Business Practices
• Decision-making: Nemawashi
• Protocol & Etiquette - why is this important?
• Japanese communication style:
  • Indirectness
  • Yes, no, maybe
  • Japanese use of silence
  • "Hear one, understand ten: Reading between the lines
  • Feedback is not a Japanese concept
  • Non-verbal communication
  • Conveying information
  • Culturally focused business presentations
  • Considerations when training Japanese employees
  • Useful Japanese expressions