For most of us, we envisage a nomikai as being a group of young employees, either the customer's or the boss and some of your colleagues, heading down to a smoky robatayaki or yakitori joint under the railway tracks. Indeed, for many freshly arrived foreigners, this is their first experience of the alcohol-induced "wet" side of the Japanese business culture. The creating and binding of relationships...

As a country which values group performance rather than individual performance, in traditional Japan there are very few opportunities to negotiate salary raises in a company once you are an employee. As I have written previously, the basic idea is that the company will take care of you within its capacity and on a par with other players in the market...

One reason people like to work for a Japanese company is knowing that your working life and environment are "looked after". If you're someone who craves security and stability, then the paternalism and lock-step nature of your remuneration and benefits are not a bad thing. But if you want something out...

I mentioned last week that in getting an apartment, you don't necessarily need a Hanko to complete your contract. This is because instead of a hanko you may be able to register your signature at your embassy and thus you can give the realtor a certificate of proof of your signature instead. Thus, you really can 'sign' the contract...