Significant agreements in Japan are marked by formal processes that emphasize their gravity. The ceremony, the ritual, the formal exchange—these do not merely document agreements but constitute them as serious commitments. The formality creates shared witness and signals that this agreement matters.
When agreements are handled informally, that signals lesser weight. When engaging in important agreements with Japanese partners, expect and respect appropriate formality. The ritual elements are not empty procedure but meaningful marking of the commitment’s significance. Participate fully in formal processes; they are part of what makes the agreement binding.
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