Business in Japan - Cultural Lessons

The March edition of More Magazine had an interesting feature on 'high status' vs 'low status' etiquette in an office environment. Most of it I'd heard before (give and receive a business card with two hands, always allow someone to introduce you etc) but I found this set of diagrams interesting:

It shows where to stand / sit in different situations. The high-status position is marked with a (1), number (2) is second-highest-status etc.

In summary the person furthest away from the entrance (入口 / 出口) is highest in status and the person furthest away is lowest. If you're ever attending a meeting in Japan remembering that will probably be enough but here are some other nuances:

• In the top left diagram position number 5 is furthest away from the table as well as closest to the entrance.
• In the top middle diagram position number 4 is closest to the lift/elevator buttons.
• In the diagram on the right position number 4 is riding in the front of the taxi with the driver. As people drive on the left in Japan person 1 would either get into the taxi first or have their own door to enter with.

And that's about it. I haven't bothered translating all of it as it's mostly about entrances and exits but I hope that was useful to you!