Example research essay topic: Lucent Technologies Japanese Culture - 1,348 words

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Trip to Tokyo, Japan Trip to Tokyo, Japan Purpose of Trip: I will be traveling to Tokyo, Japan for six months on a business trip. I will be traveling with five other members of my organization at Lucent Technologies to assist Lucent- Japan in their process of developing and implementing an Indirect Channel in their country. Since I will be living in Tokyo for six months, it is expected of me to research and learn as much as possible about the Japanese culture and the proper etiquette expected of me as a representative of Lucent Technologies, Inc. Flight Information: To search for the best priced Round Trip Airline ticket, I received six different quotes of prices with two different airlines, United Airlines and Northwest Airlines. The two ends of the pricing spectrum are non-stop, direct flights from Newark International (EWR) to Tokyo, Japan Narita (NRT). The total cost of my round trip ticket is $ 1362. 50 and my flight schedule is as follows: (web) Wednesday Jan 3, 2001 United Airlines Flight #: 837 Departs Newark: 9: 00 am Arrives Tokyo: 5: 05 p Saturday June 30, 2001 United Airlines Flight #: 852 Departs Tokyo: 4: 00 pm Arrives Newark: 7: 28 pm Employment Information: I will be employed by Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Indirect Channel) USA and sent to assist Lucent Technologies Japan, Ltd.

in establishing an Indirect Channel in Japan. The Indirect Channel is responsible for distributing Lucent products through Authorized Dealers or phone stores. Lucent Japan does not currently have an Indirect Channel in place and five of us from various departments within my organization, will be going to Tokyo to assist them in this process. I will be working directly with the legal department and with other members of my organization to establish applications and contracts for Authorized Dealers.

I will also be working with the person responsible for performing day to day duties in the Contracts/Legal Department in Japan to help establish a daily routine, similar to ours in America. Lucent Technologies Japan, Ltd. Mori Building, No. 25 4 - 30 Roppongi 1 - Chrome Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan Money &# 038; Costs: Cash is still widely used in Japan, although credit cards are widely used in Tokyo, and other major cities. The currency in Japan is the Yen. The exchange rates on August 1, 2000 were $ 1. 00 (United States Dollars) is equivalent to 109. 680 (Japanese Yen). (Universal Currency Converter) Time: The time zone in Japan is GMT/UTC, plus nine hours. (Lonely Planet, p. 7) The City of Tokyo: Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, is the third largest city in the world and is currently occupied by 12 million people. (Japan National Tourist Org, p. 2) Tokyo is a vast conurbation spreading out across the Kanto Plain from the Tokyo-wan Bay. (Lonely Planet, p. 8) The city of Tokyo was almost completely rebuilt after an earthquake devoured most of the city in 1923 and again after US air raids struck during World War II. (Tokyo, p. 320) The city is split between the flashy, glitzy, commercial and business districts located west of the central Ginza shopping area, and the more down to earth residential neighborhoods are to the east of the Ginza. Tokyo is said to be very westernized and foreigners will find many international companies represented there.

The Japanese Immigration Bureau reported that 42, 802 Americans lived in Japan in 1999. (Immigration Bureau). Some attractions that I would like to see while I am living in Tokyo are the Tokyo National Museum, which holds the largest collection of Japanese art; the Senso-ji Temple, a Buddhist place of worship and the Shinjuku, which is west of the center (Ginza) and is Tokyo s present day entertainment corner. ACCOMMODATIONS: Tokyo is a very overcrowded city and searching for rental houses and apartments is very difficult for foreigners. Foreign renters are required to pay a non-refundable deposit, called a remain apart from the deposit and you need to have a guarantor, or a citizen to take responsibility for you. (Tokyo, p. 315) Since I am traveling on business, I will not have to rent something in my name nor worry about getting a guarantor.

Lucent will provide my co-workers and myself with a company owned apartment to stay in while we are working there. Since space is limited, all six of us (3 male &# 038; 3 female) will share a two bedroom apartment, a few blocks from our office building. Apartment Location: 7 - 14 - 4 Roppongi Minato-Ku, Tokyo Japan Transportation: Transportation in Japan is quickest using the rail or subways. Train maps are provided in English at big stations, so language will not be too much of a burden when using the train. Busses are a convenient way of transportation if you are traveling a short distance, however, the bus stop signs are not in English.

Our office building is within walking distance from our apartment, so we will not have to concern ourselves with subways and trains on a daily basis to get to work. We will have to use public transportation to go shopping and for leisure purposes since we are living in a section of town that is primarily office buildings and hotels, block after block. Culture &# 038; Etiquette: The Japanese have a very different culture than the United States. In researching the Japanese culture, I have found many interesting everyday etiquette facts. One of the main things that the Japanese thrive on is politeness. Crime rates are very low in Tokyo, especially for the number of people who live there and much of this stems from their polite and respectful manner.

Also, the people in Japan bow a lot. Visitors are not expected to know the complexities of the bow, however, it is considered rude to ignore the greeting or over bow. Another rude gesture in Japan is blowing your nose in public. It is better to excuse yourself and go to the restroom and blow you nose in private. (Planet Tokyo) Where and when shoes are worn in Japan can be confusing.

Generally, shoes are not worn in Japanese homes, temples, and various other public places (including restaurants). Planet Tokyo, a company that publishes visitor guides, suggests that foreigners follow the lead of the locals in these situations since the customary rules are so complex. Hygiene: Western-style restrooms are found in the larger department stores and many restaurants, however, a Japanese-style toilet requires one to squat and aim facing the raised lid. Not every restroom stocks toilet paper in Japan, so it is necessary to carry tissues or toilet paper around with you when in public. (Planet Tokyo, p. 2) The number of public baths has declined in Tokyo, however, the custom is still prevalent. Man and women bathe separately except in outdoor hot springs. Foreigners are generally guided through the process, if they wish to partake.

The water in the bath is very hot and the Japanese do this to relax their bodies and let peace enter their soul. (Japan, p. 33) Although the Japanese have many customs and daily rituals that are quite different than ours in the United States, Tokyo is a city that is highly industrialized, plus most of the Japanese speak English, since they are taught the language at a young age in school. It will be very smart to have an English-Japanese dictionary handy just in case, but Tokyo does not seem to be a city to be scared of as an outsider. CheapTickets. com. Online. Available: web 5 August 2000.

Immigration Bureau: Statistics on Foreign Residents. Number of Non-Japanese Residents in Tokyo by Country, as of 1999. Ministry of Justice Office, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Japan. January 2000. Japan, The World Book Encyclopedia. 1998 ed. , Vol 11, p. 32 - 58. Japan National Tourist Organization, Travel Bureau.

Travel Tips. Tokyo, Japan. 2000, p. 2. Lonely Planet. Destination: Japan.

Travelers Guide to Japan. Melbourne, Australia. Tokyo The World Book Encyclopedia. 1998 ed. Vol 11, p. 312 - 320.

Universal Currency Converter. Xenon Labs. Online. Available: web 1 August 2000.

Research essay sample on Lucent Technologies Japanese Culture