An increasing number of foreign professionals in Japan encounter difficulties that are often attributed to specific incidents or misunderstandings, but which, at their core, stem from an underestimation of cultural adjustment. This pattern is particularly common among individuals from monolingual societies whose native language also functions as a global lingua franca. By contrast, this phenomenon appears less frequently among professionals from countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands or Switzerland, where exposure to multicultural and multilingual environments begins at an early age.
While this factor alone is not decisive, it plays a meaningful role when combined with each individual’s capacity for adaptation. Cultural shock should not be understood exclusively as something that occurs when moving abroad. It also arises when individuals transition between regions within the same country, between urban and rural environments, or when they change organisations and encounter a new corporate culture.
Experience accumulated across multiple international relocations demonstrates that cultural adaptation follows relatively consistent stages. The initial phase is often described as a “honeymoon period,” during which novelty dominates perception: the environment feels welcoming, differences appear exciting, and professional and personal expectations tend to be high. Over time, however, this initial enthusiasm fades and structural differences with one’s home culture become more apparent. This marks the onset of cultural shock, typically characterised by confusion, frustration and, in some cases, resentment.
At this stage, individual adaptability becomes critical. Some professionals struggle to progress beyond this point, while others gradually adjust to the new environment and its implicit rules. This adjustment phase varies in duration, but it is usually marked by fluctuations rather than a continuous decline. With time, perspective and a constructive approach, most individuals reach a stage of consolidation, where they operate effectively and comfortably within their new context.
In Japan, cultural adjustment has direct implications for professional performance. Some foreign professionals arrive with ambitious business or career expectations, only to encounter friction when attempting to introduce rapid or unilateral changes. Such difficulties often arise because newcomers are unaware of internal dynamics, historical relationships or unspoken constraints within organisations. Without this contextual understanding, even technically sound initiatives may fail to gain traction.
Japanese culture places strong value on patience and perseverance, as reflected in the proverb Ishi no ue nimo sannen (石の上にも三年), which can be translated as “even a cold stone will warm if one sits on it for three years.” Progress is expected to be gradual, and persistence is often valued more highly than speed. Attempts to accelerate outcomes without first building trust and understanding frequently result in superficial or unsustainable progress.
For this reason, success in Japan depends not only on language proficiency, but on understanding how and why things function as they do. Processes that may initially appear inefficient or illogical often have historical, relational or cultural foundations. Recognising and respecting these foundations is essential for effective collaboration. Equally important is the ability to build trust, which in Japan is primarily emotional rather than purely cognitive. Unlike many Western contexts, where trust is established through contracts, credentials or performance metrics, trust in Japan is rooted in empathy, proximity and long-term relationship building.
In this environment, communication and empathy are critical professional skills. However, they are most effective when combined with a genuine effort to understand the underlying cultural logic of organisations and society. For professionals and organisations operating in Japan, cultural literacy is not an optional soft skill; it is a strategic capability that directly influences long-term success.