Korean and Japanese business card etiquette

Going to Japan or Korea next week? This piece of quick tip equips you with the Korean and Japanese business card etiquette essentials. With this, you will impress your Japanese or Korean business partners and win their trust.

These are the boxes of business cards I usually bring with me when travelling to Asia. Some may consider it as "old fashioned", it is an essential piece of business "equipment" in Asia - use it right, use it well! Let's have a look at the Korean and Japenese business card etiquette together.

Business card exchanges in Japan and Korea are not just formalities ‒ they are critical rituals laden with cultural meaning.

The business culture in Japan and Korea is similar but different when you drill into details. However, business card etiquette is quite similar, at least similar enough to combine them in one bite-sized culture tip. This is a step-by-step guide of Korean and Japanese business card etiquette.

Step-by-step guide on Korean and Japanese business card etiquette:

1. Line up your team members according to seniority.

2. Greet your clients and present your business cards according to seniority.

3. Present and receive business cards with both hands.

4. Hold your business card with both hands and clearly present the printed side facing your counterpart. Bow slightly as you hand over your card.

5. If you have local language on your business card, present that side facing your counterpart.

6. When receiving, accept the card with both hands and take a moment to respectfully read the details.

7. If you are not sitting down after receiving the business cards, place it carefully into your business card case.

8. If you are sitting down face to face with your clients in the meeting room after receiving their business cards, lay out all their business cards on the table in front of you. Arrange their business cards according to where your clients sit.

   
   

Don’ts:

• Never write on the card in front of the giver ‒ this is considered disrespectful.

• Do not immediately pocket or put away the card without looking at it carefully.

• Never toss your card across the table or handle cards casually.

  
  

Why does this matter? In Japan and Korea, your business card symbolises your identity and status. Handling it with care shows respect and awareness of the recipient's professional standing.

Real-life Example: I once attended a business conference in Japan. A European representative received a business card from a Japanese investor sitting next to him. They had a good introduction conversation. Then that European representative wrote on the business card in front of the Japanese investor.

I vividly recall how the Japanese investor’s face changed slightly (it was quite a big reaction in Japanese standard, considering the subtle culture in Japan). He turned quiet politely after.

If the European representative had learnt about Japanese business card etiquette; or Korean business card etiquette, he would have been more aware of this small nuance and could have continued their interesting conversation during that conferece.

Practical Action Points:

• Prepare enough business cards before your business trip to Asia.

• Have a dedicated business card holder to store cards respectfully.

• Keep cards you receive visible on the table during the meeting ‒ arrange them according to seating order. It will also help you remember participants' names and titles easily.