Explanation
In Japanese business culture, arriving late to a meeting is considered disrespectful and a sign of poor time management, as punctuality reflects reliability and respect for others. Meetings typically start precisely on time, and being even a few minutes late can damage professional relationships. It is customary to arrive at least 5–10 minutes early to show preparedness and respect.
Local Tip
Always plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early to the meeting location, and if unavoidable delay occurs, notify the host immediately with a sincere apology.
How it compares elsewhere
Germans value strict punctuality; lateness is seen as unprofessional and disrespectful.
In Brazil, arriving 15–30 minutes late to a business meeting is often tolerated, especially in more relaxed settings, but it's safer to be on time.
In Saudi Arabia, meetings may start late due to flexible time perception, but foreigners should still aim to arrive on time as a sign of respect.