Class Activity 10

Memo

To: Dr. Liu

From: Lindsey Davis, Jayce Lowe, Susan Brashear

Date: February 25, 2008

Subject: Multiculturalism

The purpose of this memo is to inform individuals about the differences between American and Japan culture.

Summary

In general, we were impressed to learn about the Japanese culture. The difference we found between the two letters salutation was that the American letter addressed the recipient by their last name and the Japan letter used the term “sir” instead. The first paragraph of the two letters is very different. The American letter is straight to the point and business only while the Japan letters focus is on the clients well being and family. The purpose of telling Mr. Kirisawa about his company is done out of respect. In the Japanese culture, there are things more important than work. The lack of a sales pitch at the end of the letter is due to the fact that Japan is not straight forward and does not require a yes or no answer.

Discussion

The opening salutations of the two letters differ. The American based letter uses the client’s title and last name. This is done because Americans usually use names when addressing each other. The Japan based letter keeps the opening salutation brief and does not use any type of title or name. We found that Japan considers themselves as a whole and America considers themselves individually. The American based letter’s main focus is to discuss the product and the company. The Japanese based letter’s main focus differs because in their culture, work is not everything. A government survey implied that Japanese men would rather have more free time than increased income. The writer praises Mr. Kirisawa about his own company out of respect and admiration for him. The aspect of Japanese culture supports why paragraph three is brief. Once again, this goes back to the fact that Ms. Meyer is honoring Mr. Kirisawa. Japanese culture is not as distant as American culture and it is not appropriate to not mention the honors and hard work of each person. Ms. Meyer does not use a direct American sales pitch at the closure of the letter because it is inappropriate to do so. Japanese culture is not all about business and it would be impolite to push a product onto them. Japanese men would rather discuss something rather than have a yes or no, black or white conversation. Japanese culture is all about the “grey area.”

Recommendations

It is important to have a basic understanding of different cultures. Not every culture is going to be the same as the next and it is important to understand this to avoid embarrassment or to disrespect. We feel like this matter needs to be talked about in a group discussion.