Japanese Names and Titles

Do you know any Japanese names? Most Japanese names are composed of first name and family name. Different thing from Australia is that family name is followed by first name. In that sense, first name turns to ‘last name’ as middle names aren’t commonly used. As a matter of fact, family names vary. In Japan, Sato, Suzuki, Takahashi, Tanaka and Watanabe are the most common family names. Actually the family names have meanings come from locations, nobles and nature. For instance, one of our bloggers, Kohei’s family name is Nishimura (西村) standing for ‘western village’ as Nishi (西) means west and Mura (村) means village.

In terms of first name, parents name new baby as they like. First names usually include positive meanings like wish, love, elegance, intelligence and so on.  Kohei (康平) consists of two words, representing Ko (康) as good health combined with hei (平) implying wish for world peace according to his parents. As parents can give any name for baby, problems has occurred currently. Here is an example. A baby is named Pikachu (光宙) as his parents like Pokémon. It sounds lovely name, but when it comes to workplace, he might be looked down by the boss or even colleague because it’s unusual name and sounds undisciplined.

People in Japan commonly put one of several honorific suffixes at the end of names to address each other except when they are close. San (さん) mostly can be appropriate as it implies gender- neutral. On the other hand, kun (君) is only applied for males while chan (ちゃん) is for kids or females. In most elementary schools, teachers put san on every student’s name whenever they call in order avoid gender discrimination.

Bowing Etiquette – Are you doing it right?

The Saikeirei

Have you noticed that in Japan they bow differently in particular circumstances and each of these have different meanings? This gesture is likely to be used as greeting, showing respect to people or apologizing, ranging from a slightly nod of the head to deep bend at the waist.

When you were in higher position than others, u would probably feel that people talk to you more politely, they may bow deeper than normal and maybe order the same food you do at the restaurant. It sounds new to you, right? It is because not only Japan, but almost all Asian cultures, we have societal ranking, and we rely on that to behave appropriately. This is practiced in both daily life and business situations.

If you planned to join the working environment in Japan, a 45 degree bow of the upper body (called Saikeirei) is the thing you have to do when your boss gets angry at you. Moreover, this could be used in situations you need to apologize and show regret. 

In regards to bowing in business context, I would like to mention a bit how they exchange the business cards. You have to give both hand and do as the diagram.

You might have noticed that in Asian cultures expressing your thanks verbally or greeting someone with a simple ‘Hello’ doesn’t account for the majority of the people (especially in those Japanese classic films from a decade ago). Instead, normally a slightly nod of the head does the trick. Take me as an example, this morning a gentleman offered me his seat and so I slightly nod my head to express my gratitude and smiled.

To sum it all up, it is great if you know how to bow and do it naturally, otherwise if you can’t get the hang of matching the bow to the occasion....no worries. The Japanese do not expect foreigners to do so. However, if you don’t know it, just don’t do it. Don’t put yourself in this ridiculous situation.

President Obama and Emperor Akihito

President Obama didn’t know whether he should shake or bow, then he ended up with a bow-handshake. Thankfully this little mishap in November 2009 with the Emperor of Japan, Akihito, was completely forgivable and laughable distant memory.