🌐Read this page in Easy Japanese.（やさしい日本語ページはこちら）
Reflect on what you learned during the exchange about workplace culture in Japan, where to seek help with work-related issues, and job search services.
What You Will Learn on This Page
Tatemae and Honne
In Japan, people may avoid saying “No” directly and instead express themselves gently out of consideration for others.
① Let’s review three phrases!
“I will consider it.”
In this kind of situation...
Thank you.
I will consider it.
When they are positive ☺
When they are not positive 😢
“That may be a little difficult.”
In this kind of situation...
That may be a little difficult.
When it is truly difficult ☺
When they are gently declining 😢
“Let’s do it another time.”
In this kind of situation...
Let’s do it another time.
When they are positive ☺
When they are not positive 😢
② Why do Japanese people sometimes avoid speaking directly?
The key words for understanding this are “tatemae” and “honne.”
Tatemae
A way of speaking that values consideration for others and good relationships
- I will consider it
- That may be a little difficult
- Let’s do it another time
Honne
What someone really thinks or feels
- They are not very positive about it
- They do not want to do it
- Sorry, not this time
To avoid hurting the other person
To maintain good relationships
To help everyone feel comfortable
③ Key points to remember
In Japan, depending on the situation, people may use “tatemae and honne” differently.
It is important to look not only at the words, but also at “the situation at that time” and “what happens afterward”.
Ho-Ren-So
Ho-Ren-So is important communication for working as a team.
① What is Ho-Ren-So?
Reporting
Telling others about work results or problems
Contacting
Sharing necessary information
Consulting
Asking for advice instead of deciding alone when you have trouble
② Why Ho-Ren-So is important
Work is done as a team, not alone.
By communicating early, you can prevent trouble.
People can feel reassured that you will consult them when you have trouble.
③ Key points to remember
In Japan, it is important to report, contact, and consult not “after a problem happens,” but “before a problem becomes bigger.”
Consultation & Job Search
If you have trouble at work, or if it is difficult to talk to your boss or coworkers, and you have problems like these...
Unpaid Wages
Breach of Contract
Workplace Injury
Workplace Harassment
Unpaid Overtime
Other Consultations
① Places where you can consult about work
Consultation Corner for Foreign Workers
(Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
You can consult in foreign languages, either in person or by phone, about workplace rules such as working conditions.
If you want to consult in person, please make an appointment for the date and time in advance.
Yotsuya (Special Consultation and Support Office for Foreign Nationals)
〒160-0004
1-6-1 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Yotsuya Tower 13F, inside the Foreign Residents Support Center
[Google Maps]
03-5361-8728
9:30–16:30 (except 12:00–13:00)
English / Chinese / Tagalog / Vietnamese / Nepali / Indonesian / Cambodian / Thai / Burmese / Mongolian
*Available days differ depending on the language.
Shinjuku (Shinjuku Labour Standards Inspection Office)
〒169-0073
4-4-1 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku Labour General Government Building 4F
[Google Maps]
03-5338-5582
9:30–16:30 (except 12:00–13:00)
English / Chinese / Korean
*Available days differ depending on the language.
Tokyo Metropolitan Labour Consultation Information Center
You can consult in foreign languages, either in person or by phone, about workplace rules such as working conditions.
If you want to consult in person, please make an appointment for the date and time in advance.
Iidabashi (Labour Consultation Information Center)
〒102-0072
3-10-3 Iidabashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Shigoto Center 9F
[Google Maps]
03-3265-6110
[In-person consultation] Monday–Friday 14:00–16:00
[Phone consultation] 9:00–12:00 / 13:00–17:00
[In-person consultation] English / Chinese
[Phone consultation] English / Chinese / Spanish / Portuguese / French / Russian / Korean / Thai / Vietnamese / Nepali / Indonesian / Filipino (Tagalog) / Hindi / Burmese
*Available days differ depending on the language.
Osaki Office
〒141-0032
1-11-1 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Gate City Osaki West Tower 2F
[Google Maps]
03-3495-6110
[In-person consultation] Tuesday 14:00–16:00
English
Tama Office
〒190-0023
3-9-2 Shibasakicho, Tachikawa-shi, 6F
[Google Maps]
042-595-8004
[In-person consultation] Thursday 14:00–16:00
[Phone consultation] 9:00–12:00 / 13:00–17:00
[In-person consultation] English
[Phone consultation] English / Chinese / Spanish / Portuguese / French / Russian / Korean / Thai / Vietnamese / Nepali / Indonesian / Filipino (Tagalog) / Hindi / Burmese
② Services you can use when looking for a job
Hello Work
A free job consultation and referral service operated by the government
There are 17 Hello Work offices in Tokyo.
Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners (Yotsuya)
This is a job consultation office for foreign nationals.
International students who want to work in Japan after graduation and people with a residence status that allows them to work can consult here.
See more 〉
〒160-0004
1-6-1 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, CO-MO-RE Yotsuya, Yotsuya Tower 13F
[Google Maps]
03-5361-8722
Monday–Friday 9:00–17:00
English / Chinese
*Available days differ depending on the language.
Job Sites and Recruitment Agencies
Services where you can search for job openings online or receive introductions from specialized staff
NINJA
Job sites with many listings for foreign nationals
Robert Walters
Recruitment agencies with many foreign-affiliated and bilingual job openings
Michael Page
Recruitment agencies with many jobs at foreign-affiliated and Japanese global companies
Review Quiz❓
Tatemae and Honne,Ho-Ren-So
Let’s review what we learned about tatemae, honne, and horenso through a quiz!
