A Meeting Culture That Often Surprises Foreigners in Japan
Hi, I’m bekey, and I’ve been living in Japan for 23 years.
While working in Japanese companies, I have sometimes heard comments from foreign coworkers and people outside Japan such as:
- “Why are meetings in Japan so long?”
- “Why don’t people make decisions during the meeting?”
- “Sometimes I don’t even understand the purpose of the meeting.”
In fact, Japanese meeting culture is often considered quite unique compared to meeting cultures in other countries.
People who are used to fast-paced work cultures — especially in Western countries or India — may feel particularly confused by Japanese meetings.
Of course, not all Japanese companies are the same.
However, Japan has long had its own unique workplace culture and communication styles, and these strongly influence how meetings are conducted.
In this article, I will explain why meetings in Japan often feel long and the cultural ideas behind them.
1. Reaching Group Consensus Is Highly Valued in Japan
In Japanese companies, meetings are often focused less on intense debate and more on making sure nobody strongly disagrees.
Because of this, companies may place importance on:
- Listening to everyone involved
- Avoiding situations where only one person strongly disagrees
- Maintaining harmony within the team
In some countries, managers or leaders make quick decisions during meetings.
In Japan, however, ensuring that everyone is on the same page is often considered important.
As a result, meetings can become longer.
2. Japan Has a Strong Culture of “Pre-Meeting Coordination”
Japanese companies have a culture called nemawashi.
This refers to discussing ideas and building agreement with stakeholders before the official meeting takes place.
Because of this, it is common to:
- Talk individually before meetings
- Share documents in advance
- Confirm the general direction beforehand
Personally, I sometimes feel that Japanese companies have many meetings that are more about confirmation than actual discussion.
Some foreigners wonder:
- “If most things are already decided before the meeting, why have the meeting at all?”
However, in Japan, the meeting itself is often seen as important because it allows everyone to confirm and share the same understanding.
3. Japanese Meetings Often Have Long Periods of Silence
One thing that surprises many foreigners is silence during meetings.
In Japanese meetings, there are moments when nobody speaks immediately.
In some countries, it is normal to:
- Share opinions quickly
- Debate actively
- Clearly express disagreement
However, in Japan, many people prioritize:
- Reading the room
- Considering other people’s positions
- Avoiding direct confrontation
For example, in Japanese meetings, there are situations where:
- Nobody wants to speak first
- People observe others’ reactions before speaking
- Employees wait to hear the manager’s opinion first
In countries where discussions begin immediately, this difference can feel very unusual.
I personally once heard someone from overseas say:
- “I was surprised by how long everyone stayed silent.”
For Japanese people, these pauses may feel natural.
For foreigners, however, they may wonder why nobody is speaking.
4. Meetings Are Also Used for Information Sharing
In many countries, meetings are mainly viewed as places for decision-making.
In contrast, Japanese companies often use meetings for:
- Progress updates
- Situation checks
- Aligning understanding among team members
Because of this, some foreigners feel:
- “In the end, nothing was actually decided.”
However, in Japan, many companies place strong importance on making sure everyone has the same information.
5. Japanese Meeting Culture Is Gradually Changing
Of course, Japanese meeting culture has gradually been changing in recent years.
Especially in:
- Foreign companies
- Global companies
- Startups
- IT companies
more businesses are adopting:
- Shorter meetings
- Online meetings
- Clear agendas
- Faster decision-making
Younger generations in particular increasingly feel that long meetings are inefficient.
On the other hand, many traditional Japanese companies still maintain older meeting styles.
6. Japanese Meeting Culture Is Not Only “Bad”
From a foreign perspective, Japanese meetings can sometimes appear inefficient.
And honestly, there are probably areas that should improve.
At the same time, more people in Japan are also beginning to say that meetings should become more efficient.
However, Japanese meeting culture also has some advantages, such as:
- Reducing the risk of major problems
- Making it easier for everyone to stay aligned
- Helping teams move together smoothly
In other words, Japanese meeting culture developed with a stronger focus on harmony and stability rather than pure efficiency.
Conclusion
There are several reasons why meetings in Japan often feel long, including:
- A culture that values consensus
- The practice of nemawashi (pre-meeting coordination)
- Communication styles that emphasize reading the room
- A strong focus on information sharing
For foreigners, Japanese meetings may feel confusing at first.
However, understanding the cultural background behind them can make Japanese work culture easier to understand.
The important thing is not deciding which style is “correct,” but understanding that different cultures simply have different ways of communicating and making decisions.
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