Communication plays a vital role in understanding and connecting with different cultures and subcultures. This paper explores and analyzes Japanese culture’s written, verbal, and nonverbal communication styles. We will investigate how communication is conducted in different domains, such as trade, currency, and language, to understand Japanese communication patterns better by examining relevant academic sources.
Written communication in Japanese culture
In Japanese livestock trading, written communication plays a vital role. The primary language used for written exchanges is Japanese. Traders, buyers, and sellers utilize written communication to discuss terms, negotiate prices, clarify details, and establish agreements. Documentation in the form of contracts, invoices, and pricing agreements is typically done in Japanese. Additionally, the currency used in these written documents is the Japanese Yen.
On the other hand, determining fair trade and price in Japanese livestock trading involves factors such as negotiation. Buyers and sellers engage in negotiation to reach a mutually acceptable price. Written communication, such as written proposals and counteroffers, is involved in the negotiation process.
Verbal Communication in Japanese Culture:
Verbal communication in Japanese culture is influenced by various factors, including social hierarchy, politeness, and indirectness (Choi & Yang, 2023). The emphasis is on maintaining harmony and avoiding confrontation. Thus, communication tends to be implicit and nuanced. In livestock trading, verbal communication is essential during negotiations, discussions, and clarifications. Japanese traders would use the Japanese language to communicate their intentions, clarify terms, and negotiate prices. Politeness and respect are crucial aspects of verbal communication, with traders employing honorifics and polite expressions to foster a harmonious atmosphere. Livestock prices, negotiation terms, and financial transactions are typically discussed and agreed upon using Japanese Yen as the currency. The value of the livestock and the agreed-upon price are expressed verbally in Japanese Yen during the trading process. Factors such as quality assessment are involved in determining fair trade and price in Japanese livestock trading. Traders, buyers, and sellers engage in verbal discussions to assess the quality, condition, and characteristics of the livestock being traded. They discuss factors such as breed, age, health, size, weight, and any other relevant attributes that impact the value and price of the livestock.
Nonverbal Communication in Japanese Culture:
Nonverbal communication holds significant importance in Japanese culture, conveying meanings beyond words alone. Notable aspects of nonverbal communication include bowing and eye contact (Rakhimovna, 2023). Bowing is commonly used to express greetings, gratitude, respect, and apologies. In livestock trading, bowing may occur during initial meetings, negotiations, or to show appreciation for a fair-trade agreement. Eye contact in Japanese culture differs from Western norms, as direct eye contact can be seen as impolite or confrontational (Rakhimovna, 2023). Instead, maintaining a respectful gaze slightly below eye level is considered appropriate during conversations and negotiations.
Regarding determining a fair trade or price in livestock trading, nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and body language play a role in conveying acceptance, satisfaction, or dissatisfaction with the proposed terms. Traders may use subtle gestures to express their opinions or indicate their willingness to negotiate. Traders use nonverbal cues, such as hand gestures or facial expressions, to indicate the concept of money, pricing, or financial transactions during discussions related to the currency.
In conclusion, Japanese culture’s communication styles encompass unique written, verbal, and nonverbal characteristics. Written communication employs distinct scripts, while verbal communication emphasizes politeness, indirectness, and the use of honorifics. Nonverbal communication in Japan involves gestures such as bowing and specific eye contact norms. Understanding these communication styles is crucial when engaging in livestock trading, where written and verbal communication contribute to negotiations, clarifications, and maintaining harmonious interactions.
References
Choi, C., & Yang, H. (Eds.). (2023). Voices of the Korean Comfort Women: History Rewritten from Memories. Taylor & Francis. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=4CmgEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT8&dq=The+Role+of+Cultural+Influences+in+Japanese+Communication:+A+Literature+Review+on+Social+and+Situational+Factors+and+Japanese+Indirectness+NAKAI+Fuk&ots=LiIKoi2-OR&sig=FGoyztF92Zus0NGOLlybM6mVHz0
Rakhimovna, K. D. (2023). CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION. ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ НАУКА И ИННОВАЦИОННЫЕ ИДЕИ В МИРЕ, 18(7), 123-130. http://www.newjournal.org/index.php/01/article/download/4794/4567
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