One of Britain's foremost linguists, Richard D. Lewis speaks 10 European and 2 Asiatic languages. He spent 5 years in Japan where he was tutor to Empress Michiko and other members of the Japanese Imperial Family.
Here, he comments on the accounts of people with different experiences of working with the Japanese - dispelling some myths and providing some expert advice.
Culture shock is when you enter another culture or habitat without knowing all the rules. It's like going into someone else's house. You behave like you're at home, but in this particular house you have to take your shoes off. Therefore you break a lot of the rules and that upsets you.
Expert tips
Understand the culture you're moving into, find out about the "house rules".
Read books from experts on Japanese culture and history.
Be pro-active: think about your own situation in a positive way.
Keep a sense of humour - it will help you to get a perspective on things.
Join our club
Charlie Brown
Assistant Reporter The Asahi Shimbun
It's very easy to say that the Japanese have no individualism. That's not true. But there is still a sense of belonging, there's still almost that historical thing of being a part of a clan and the protection that forwards you. And I think you're proud to have your company name on your business card.
Japan is a collective society, you have to fit into a group. So people define themselves relationally to other people. It's rather dangerous if you just act on your own initiative, because you'll have to fit into a certain kind of working pattern.
Being there
