How to Live and Work in Japan

Part 1 Background: geography and current demographics climate: history and government - ancient history, middle ages, modern times, current government, the Emperor; the economy - trading companies, recent trends. Part 2 Before leaving: visas - short-term visa, long-term visa; regulations and restrictions - health restrictions, currency restrictions, customs regulations; pets; clothing - adults, children's clothes, clothing size differences chart. Part 3 On arrival: transportation - from the airport, public transportation, subways and commuter trains, cross-country trains, buses, taxis, car rentals; money matters - currency, banking, credit cards and traveller's checks, tipping, duty-free shopping, taxes; regulations - extending your visa, alien registration, reentry permits, immigration offices; street addresses; communication: telephones - overseas calls, local calls, telephone information; telegrams; postal services; newspapers, periodicals, and books; radio and television; security - insurance, police; resources - help on arrival, tourist information centers. Part 4 Language: writing; pronunciation; learning Japanese; language schools. Part 5 Culture: religions and philosophies - the Japanese pragmatism, Shinto, Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Bushido; harmonious relationships - a definition of Wa, Amae - the spirit of inteerdependence, group identification, Uchi and Soto, status and hierarchy, responsibilities of the individual, situational self - Tatemae and Honne; Communication - the Japanese language, communicating in English, expression of feelings, assumptions of agreement, silence; customs and courtesies - the bow, shoes, chopsticks (ohashi), drinking rituals, eating in public, expressions of affection, gift giving and favours, expressing praise and appreciation. Part 6 Doing business in Japan: the Japanese business relationship; inside a Japanese company - the company as family, Nenko Joretsu, Ringi Seido, Nemawashi, the time factor, harmony in business relationships, women in the workplace, building relationships; contracts, the law, and tradition; using interpreters; customs - business entertaining, gift giving, business cards; business mechanics - working hours, holidays; business hotels; touring Japanese companies. Part 7 Household pointers and everyday life: housing - finding a house, a tradition of Uchi, Japanese-style homes, Western-style homes; furnishings, appliances, and electricity; telephones; domestic help and babysitters; shopping - food shopping, beauty parlours, department stores; foreign residents advisory centres. (part contents).