Location: Far East
Local Time: GMT+9
Capital City: Tokyo
Population: 127.9 million
Area: 378,000357,021 square km, 145,946 square miles.
Language(s): Japanese, (English)
Dialling Code: 81
Emergency: Police: 110. Fire & Ambulance: 119
TV Standard: NTSC
Driving: Driving is on the left. International Driving Permit required
Electricity: 100V AC 50Hz (Tokyo & East Japan); 100V AC 60Hz (Osaka & West Japan)
Currency: Yen (JPY)
Notes: JPY: 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000
Coins: JPY: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500
Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards are widely accepted, travellers cheques can be exchanged at major banks and larger hotels. Money is recommended to be exchanged at banks, hotels & money changers. ATMs available at Post Office locations for credit card cash withdrawls
Opening Hours
Bank: 0900-1500 Mon-Fri
Office: 0900-1700 Mon-Fri
Shops: 1000-1900
Public Holidays
2012
Note: With the exception of New Year Bank Holidays, if a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following day is treated as a holiday instead. When there is a single day between two national holidays, it is also taken as a holiday. Between 29 December and 3 January government offices and many shops and offices are closed.
Business/Social Hints: On meeting and taking leave give a slight bow, but shaking hands is usually practiced with non Japanese. Business cards to have Japanese translation on reverse side. Some business executives speak English. Japanese customs and conventions are very different from those in Europe and North America and specialist travel guides should be read. Visitors should be perceptive to local customs. Laughter may disguise embarrassment. Small gifts from one’s home country are welcome as tokens of appreciation. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 20 years
Tipping: Not customary. Advice should be obtained on how to show appreciation in the most appropriate manner
