Released on: November 16, 2007, 8:56 am

Press Release Author: Webooks.co.uk

Industry: Financial

Press Release Summary: Webooks releases ebook offering free information to those
involved in business with Japan. Users can access the full text of "Behind the
Japanese Mask", a relevant and interesting introduction to Japanese business
practices and their cultural roots.

Press Release Body: As the Japanese proverb says, "Beginning is easy, continuing is
hard" - a sentiment familiar to anyone trying to do business with Japan. This new
ebook from Jonathan Rice takes readers below the surface of Japanese culture to
explain the psychology behind the way Japanese people live and work, making it
easier to build lasting, fruitful business relationships.

Japan is the world\'s second largest market, competitor, and partner. With 125
million people it\'s a large country with considerable influence. Technologically it
is very advanced: there are about 20 million internet users, and 50 million mobile
phone users. 15% of the world's economy is in Japan, and 25% of the world\'s
high-tech products are made there.

But trying to trade with Japan without understanding Japanese business ethics is
bound to lead to misunderstanding and crossed wires. Take, for example, the fact
that in a business situation, there is no such word as 'No', only 'You may be
right', which really means, 'Hypothetically, you could be right, but in fact you are
completely wrong.'

Jonathan Rice is well qualified to explore where the mask ends and the face begins,
having worked with the Japanese for over thirty years. A cross-cultural business
consultant and lecturer, he has lived in Japan for ten years and lectures on working
with the Japanese at Farnham Castle Centre for International Briefing. He is also
the author of several books on cross-cultural issues, of which "Behing the Japanese
Mask" is his most recent.

In lively prose, with examples, anecdotes and illustrations throughout, "Behind the
Japanese Mask" sheds light on:

. Uchi and Soto - the Japanese concept of Insiders and Outsiders
. How Japanese history has shaped society
. Language: the meaning behind the words
. Management structures in Japanese businesses
. Gift giving and striking a deal

The book is free to read online, and there is no need to register.

On the Webooks site users can check out the author's blog, chat to other
cross-cultural enthusiasts in the forum, and find useful websites in the directory.
A PDF version of the ebook is also available to download from the online store.

This online "WeBook" is the first in a series of more than 200 books that will go
online during the remainder of 2007, as part of an initiative to revolutionise the
print publishing industry.
Visitors can sign up to the newsletter, to receive alerts when new titles are added
to the online library.

Users can access the free book at:
http://www.behindthejapanesemask.info


Webooks
http://www.webooks.co.uk

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http://www.howtobooks.co.uk


Web Site: http://www.behindthejapanesemask.info

Contact Details: 45 Lafone Street
London SE1 2LX
+44 207 397 5412
editorial@webooks.co.uk