The English language does not demand perfection of Japanese

Hesitant businesspeople are missing out on international opportunities

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20240126 Japanese businessman people having a handshake with a colleague

A sense among Japanese businesspeople that they should speak up only if their English is perfect causes many to avoid simple greetings and casual conversation.

Laura Kriska is the founder of WE-building Solutions, a cross-cultural consulting firm serving Japan-based global organizations, and author of "The Business of WE."

China's overtaking of Japan as the world's second-largest economy in 2010 set off a wave of ennui about Tokyo's fading influence on the world stage.

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