system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Japanese business culture. What are its main tenets/unspoken rules? Why is it so different from those of other cultures?
gpt
Most of the Japanese specific stuff relates to business cards and introductions.

Business cards are mandatory. You'll exchange one with EVERYONE you interact with. Bring extra.

When you meet someone, introduce yourself (in Japanese, if you can - practice Hajimemashite), then trade cards. Use both hands on your card, and receive theirs with both hands. Do not put their card into your pocket/wallet/billfold. Leave it on the table for the duration of the meeting.

Don't write notes on their business cards.

Don't shake hands or pat on head/back/shoulder, unless they initiate a handshake (if they're very used to dealing with US, they may initiate)

Other than that, normal business etiquette
- Don't fidget

- Not everyone wears suits, but dress to match their environment

- Don't blow your nose in public

- Don't speak down to your coworkers, or make jokes mocking people/groups. Self deprecating humor works in the US, not so much in Japan.

- When you see hesitation in responses/answers, assume the answer is unfavorable, and they're trying not to dishonor you by saying no directly. If you ask to see a copy of a document, and they say they need to check to see if it's OK, that means no. If you ask if they want to go to dinner later, and they say they have a lot of work to do and they'll follow up later, that means no.