Business card exchange in Japan follows precise ritual. You receive and present cards with both hands, treating each card as an extension of the person's identity. The meishi (名刺) ceremony shows respect through deliberate movements—never casual one-handed grabs or quick pocket stuffs. Position matters. Timing matters. Your attention to these details signals how seriously you take the relationship. This isn't just networking. It's a moment of mutual recognition that sets the tone for everything that follows.

Quick essentials

• Always use both hands when giving and receiving business cards
• Bow slightly during the exchange
• Study the card briefly before putting it away respectfully
• Never write on someone's business card in their presence

FAQ

Why both hands instead of one?

Single-handed exchange suggests the card (and person) lacks importance. Both hands show the interaction deserves your full attention and respect.

What if I'm holding something else?

Put it down or ask to hold their card momentarily while you free both hands. The exchange takes priority over convenience.

How long should I look at their card?

Read it completely. Acknowledge their title or company name aloud if appropriate. Rushing suggests disinterest.

Where do I put the card afterward?

In a business card holder or respectfully in your jacket pocket. Never back pocket, never folded, never stuffed carelessly.

What if someone offers their card one-handed to me?

You still receive with both hands. Your behavior sets the standard regardless of theirs.

Can I give multiple cards at once?

Present them one at a time. Each person deserves individual attention during their moment.

Related Japanese terms

• Meishi (名刺) - business card
• Ojigi (お辞儀) - bowing
• Keigo (敬語) - honorific language
• Senpai-kohai (先輩後輩) - senior-junior relationship
• Aisatsu (挨拶) - formal greetings

The deeper exchange

Origins in samurai tradition

Business card etiquette grows from centuries of Japanese hierarchical respect. Samurai presented themselves through careful ritual. Modern meishi exchange carries that DNA—each card represents honor, position, identity compressed into paper form.

The Meiji era brought Western business cards to Japan around 1860. But Japan transformed the simple information exchange into something more ceremonial. What started as practical networking became relationship architecture.

The physical choreography

Before the exchange

Check your cards beforehand. Bent corners or smudged text insults the recipient. Keep them in a proper case (meishi-ire 名刺入れ), not loose in pockets.

The presentation moment

• Stand if sitting
• Cards face the recipient, text readable to them
• Present with both hands, thumbs on back
• Slight bow during handoff
• Make eye contact

Receiving ritual

• Accept with both hands
• Brief study of the content
• Acknowledge something specific: their title, company, or department
• Place carefully in your card holder or on the table in front of you

Reading the room

Group settings require extra attention. Present cards in order of seniority when possible. The highest-ranking person receives yours first. If you're unsure about hierarchy, err toward the person who introduced themselves first or seems to be leading the conversation.

Meeting table placement

During sit-down meetings, arrange received cards on the table matching the seating arrangement. This helps you address people correctly and shows continued respect for their identity throughout the discussion.

Common disasters to avoid

Treating cards like American networking events kills relationships before they start. No quick handoffs while walking. No writing notes on cards during the meeting. No immediate pocket storage.

The worst offense? Forgetting someone's name immediately after reading their card. The ritual buys you processing time—use it.

Recovery from mistakes

Made an error? Brief acknowledgment and correction works better than ignoring it. "Excuse me, let me present this properly" shows you understand the significance.

Modern adaptations

Digital cards exist but haven't replaced physical exchange. The tactile ritual matters more than information transfer. QR codes and apps supplement but don't substitute.

Remote work complicates traditional exchange, but video meetings maintain some elements. Email signature blocks become more important. The principle persists: show respect for professional identity through deliberate attention.