The reality of work and drinking and Japan
Relationship of work and drinking alcohol in Japan
In Japan, drinking is a big deal. Especially, if you are a salaryman in sales or any kind of position where you meet a lot of people, you will most likely get invited to something called, “Nomikai (飲み会）”. Nomikai literally means an occasion where you drink with a group of people.
In Japanese companies, drinking parties are held throughout the year. For example, when new employees join, when departments or staff change in the company, at year-end and year-end parties, these timings are some of the most likely occasions where a company member will organize a massive drinking event. Most of them take place on weekends, but some also take place on weekdays. Formally, participating in a drinking party is voluntary, but in some workplaces, if you decline an invitation, you may be labeled as “not very sociable.”
The current situation of drinking in Japanese business
Although, there are many countries in the world that consumes more alcohol than the Japanese, Japanese culture has its own unique relationship with alcohol. Especially in a business situation, there are traditional manners that you need to keep in mind. Not only when you are drinking with your clients, but with your colleagues as well. Also, this isn’t something that is unique in Japanese companies, but also very relevant in foreign companies as well. Below are some of the things you should know before participating in any drinking event in Japan.
It is forbidden by law to consume alcohol by persons under the age of 20, so drinks are available in a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties. When making toasts with your boss, do not raise your glass over them. Even if you are not drinking alcohol, drinking from a glass while making toasts is good behavior. If your boss’s glass is empty, ask, “Do you want me to pour you a drink?” Would you like something to drink? Pouring beer to the boss is good manners.
When pouring beer for the boss, hold the bottle with both hands. It`s important to show the organizer first that you are willing to pay. After the party, if you are meeting at work, it’s a good idea to say, for example, “Thank you for another day” or “I had a great time” or send a light greeting via e-mail.
If you want to learn more about the manners of drinking in Japan, please check out this article.
We have previously, written an article about business manners in Japan, so if you are interested in learning more about it, you can learn all about it here. (Complete guide to manners for doing business with Japanese companies)
What you need to know about drinking and jobs in japan
Drinking with your clients
In Japan, it used to be quite common to go drink with your client if they asked you to. However, in recent years, this trend is starting to change. With a stronger mindset towards compliances, the drinking culture is strictly restricted in some companies. Especially when you drink with clients, this can be seen as some type of bribery, and the drinking culture is strictly observed in especially public sectors.
Drinking with your colleagues
Drinking with your colleagues may be a bit tricky in Japan. It is quite common to ask your colleagues or boss, out for a drink. However, this drinking culture is also starting to change in recent years. When inviting your colleagues for a drink, there are concerns that this will cause power harassment or sexual harassment. Not only in foreign companies, but Japanese companies are beginning to strengthen up their compliances, and it seems that the drinking culture in Japanese business is starting to fade away.
The drinking culture in Japan is starting to change
The future of drinking in the Japanese work environment
With the break out of the coronavirus in March 2020, a lot of companies in Japan started to shift their workspace from a physical workspace to an online environment. Therefore, there are many new grads who never even experienced the drinking culture in Japan. If the remote work sticks in Japan, it is easy to estimate that the drinking culture in the Japanese work environment will fade out.
Drinking can definitely be a great way to break the ice and get along with people you work with. It can be said that the drinking event will be something that small groups of people in companies will occasionally hold, and not something where every company member is semi-forced in participating.
