Name Cards Essential for Doing Business in Japan

In Japan, it is customary to exchange name cards when you call at a company on business. A name card usually shows the company name, address and telephone number, and the name and position of the card holder. Many people also add their e-mail address and URL. With all this information, it can be said that a name card will also work as an identification card. The most important piece of information on a name card is the position title.

In a joint stock company, directors are selected by the stock holders. These directors select a representative director. When the position "Daihyou-Torisimariyaku" (Representative Director) is written on a name card, it means that the card holder is the person among management who can make final decisions on issues. Recently, many leading companies have begun to use "CEO" as a position name for a representative director, but in general, many companies are still using "Daihyou-Torishimariyaku." The second ranking director's title is often written as "Senmu-Torishimariyaku," the third ranking director's as "Joumu-Torishimariyaku" and the other directors’ positions are usually written as "Torishimariyaku" (Director) only.

Position titles such as "Senmu" and "Joumu" only represent ranks within a company, and are not legal terms. "Daihyou Torishimariyaku" is generally called "Shachou" (President). Sometimes you may see a name card with the title "Daihyou Torishimariyaku Shachou" (Representative Director, President). "Torishimariyaku" (Director) is also called "Juuyaku." Each director usually has responsibility for a department, therefore their title is shown as "Sales Director," "Manufacturing Director," "Administrative Director," etc.

A name card gives you some idea about the position
There is also a position above "Shachou" called "Kaichou" (Chairman), but this is more likely to be an honorary post. Some companies provide the position of "Fuku Shachou" (Vice president). In western countries, a vice president is usually regarded as an assistant post to the president, but in Japan it most commonly refers to the rank above the post of "Senmu." These terms are only used conventionally and for convenience, and "Daihyou-Torishimariyaku" (Representative Director) and "Torishimariyaku" (Director) are the only terms used legally to represent these positions.

In Japan, the company organization structure forms a pyramid shape, and so do respective positions inside it. Positions below that of "Torishimariyaku" (Director) include "Buchou" (Department manager), "Jichou" (Deputy manager), "Kachou" (Section chief), "Kakarichou" (Subsection chief) and "Shunin" (chief). Employees without positions are the lowest rank. Therefore when looking at a name card, you can get an idea of a person's position. These days, however, position titles such as "planner" and "consultant" are increasingly being used on name cards in place of organization names because of globalization.

Name cards usually measure 91mm x 55mm. Some people make bigger or irregular shaped name cards to attract attention, but this is not recommended, mainly because they do not fit in name card holders and may be a hassle for the people who receive them. Recently, many companies have been producing name cards using exclusive computer software instead of ordering a printing company to make them. For added convenience, some cities have automatic name card printing machines.

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