5 cultural differences to remember for TEFL teachers in Japan

All the time, here at The TEFL Org, we hear about prospective teachers who, full of talent, enthusiasm and burgeoning teaching skills, want to test themselves in Japan. A country of incredible mystique, Japan has both an incredible reverence for its past - see any perfectly preserved temple or garden - but is also at the forefront of pop culture, technology and, in many respects, entertainment in general. 

So, it’s a hugely popular destination for TEFL teachers. Not only is a culture that’s so distinct from the UK, the USA, Ireland and most other places our graduates come from, it’s utterly singular. Endlessly fascinating, Japan hosted over 25 million foreign visitors in 2023 alone , and that’s a number that’s unlikely to dwindle any time soon.

Factor in all the TEFL teachers who want to teach English in Japan , the number of amazing TEFL jobs in Japan , and all the great stories of TEFL teachers working in the country , it’s little wonder how big a deal English teaching is in the Far East.

All fine and well: but we talked about Japan being a very, very singular culture. That involves customs and ways of behaving that you’ll have to adapt to as a teacher. What do TEFL teachers need to know if they plan on making that dream move to somewhere like Tokyo, Yokohama or Osaka?

There are some particular cultural differences that you need to know about. So, without further ado…

Cultural difference 1: How to say “no”

We’re not saying you have to agree to absolutely everything you’re asked in Japan. That would be unfeasible. Politeness, however, is cultural capital and, in some cases, there are specific ways to navigate situations without offending someone.

Saying “no” directly is seen as disrespectful, in the majority of cases. For example, in the workplace, you may be asked questions where you’ll have to use a phrase like “I’ll get back to you on that”, “I’ll need to check” or “ bimyo desu” , which means “it’s delicate” or “it’s difficult” .

Saving face is very important. As such, if someone asks you a yes or no question in any number of contexts, being told “no” rather than “I’ll get back to you!” is a humiliating experience.

A quick note here: there are obviously situations where a direct, blunt no (“ iie ”) is necessary, but generally speaking, there are much more polite ways of saying no in Japan that you can use!

Cultural difference 2: Are you on time? You’re late

In many cultures, being a few minutes late isn’t a big deal. Meeting a friend at a bar at 9pm, and they turn up at 9:02? Not a big deal. Expecting relatives round for a birthday party and they have a bit of trouble with parking and turn up 10 minutes late? Frustrating, sure, but it’s understandable.

In Japan, though, punctuality is everything. Being late for something heavily implies that it’s not important to you. It’s a unique type of disrespect, so when you book any sort of appointment, or you’re given a time to be at work, a good rule is: being on time is being late.

Obviously, turning up early for work is a good thing, and if you get a job through, say, the JET Programme , we’d suggest you don’t turn up late. It’s not just work though, in your social life you’ll be expected to be timely. If you have a reservation at a restaurant for 7:30, you turn up at 7:20. 

Again, there’s also an element of saving face here. If you’re ever late for a class or a tutoring session, you’re likely to lose the respect of your learners. There’s enormous respect for teachers in Japan, but it’s a two-way street, and punctuality is a major part of nurturing that relationship.

Cultural difference 3: Don’t leave a tip

You’ve just had an incredible meal in a restaurant. The service was exceptional; you never had an empty glass, and every dish came out hot and on time. You want to show your gratitude with a tip; surely that’ll be just the thing to express what a great time you had.

About that… don’t tip. Tipping culture isn’t really a thing in Japan, and again, it’s about embarrassment and saving face, but there’s also a simple economic reason for it. Hospitality staff in Japan tend to be better paid than in, say, the USA, Canada, the UK and Ireland. When you tip in Japan, you aren’t saying that you’re grateful, you’re instead suggesting that the staff don’t get paid enough - a very disrespectful sentiment to whatever business you’ve just given your custom.

There are a couple of exceptions , and if you do insist on giving a tip at a guest house or hotel, this must be done subtly, in a special gratuity envelope. 

Cultural difference 4: Please take care of me

Let’s be honest; nobody likes feeling vulnerable. When you move to a new country, it can be daunting. Equally, starting a new job can be scary, and - essentially - you’ll have to humble yourself a little and acknowledge that you’re new to a specific situation.

Happily, the Japanese language caters to this, and there’s a way of introducing yourself to a new employer, a family whose house you are staying in, or another teacher who’s helping you to settle in. That phrase is “ Dozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu ”. There’s no direct translation but the closest in English is “Please, take care of me”. 

Neat, isn’t it? 

Cultural difference 5: Expect your students to clean up the classroom

Whenever a big sporting tournament comes around, and Japan is participating, you’re likely to see a story about groups of fans cleaning up after themselves . This, funnily enough, isn’t a series of isolated incidents; it’s part of a tidiness culture that’s existed for centuries.

Cleanliness is seen as the responsibility of both an individual and a group. Being part of a collective tidying effort after an event is seen as par for the course, and that extends to the classroom. 

In a New Yorker article detailing the long history of Japan’s obsession with cleanliness, writer Hiroko Yoda recalls: 

“Every day, after classes were over, we would divide into several groups, boys and girls alike, taking turns to wipe off the desks, sweep the floor, and bring the garbage out to the dumpster.” 

As a teacher, you’ll be expected to do your part, but in terms of the classroom as a whole? It’ll be your students who will take the majority of responsibility, which I’m sure you’ll agree, is a pretty good perk for any TEFL teacher working in Japan!

The learning never finishes

We couldn’t hope to summarise the extent of Japan’s culture within a blog post. There are lots more things to learn, and as you become more accustomed to the Japanese language and way of life, you’ll fit in.

Like everywhere in the world, politeness, punctuality and cleanliness are prize virtues, and you’ll get on well with people - Japanese or otherwise - if you’re able to show them and their environment the respect that’s due.

So, keep these 5 cultural differences - and more! - in mind when you venture off on the TEFL adventure of a lifetime in Japan.

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