well the Japanese feel like members of the team are like family. Japanese families are very close and always work together, unlike USA and Canadan families.

The USA is more of an Indivudalistic society and culture, and Japan is more of a Collectist society and culture. What this means is that you will do things for the good or honor of the collective (team, family, nation, etc) rather than for yourself while in Japan.

The USA is more of an agressive society or culture, and Japan is more of a passive society or culture. In Japan, people rarely say what they mean, and are more nurturing and supportive than their USA counter-parts. (This used to be masculine/feminime, but those words were confusing).

You will find, in Japan, a lack of walls or cubicals, it will be desks in open spaces so you can work with the members of your team.

Basically the USA and Japanese cultures and societies are polar opposites in most ways. Get ready to do things different. They will give you some slack, but you'd better learn quick.

If offered a business card, it is considered rude to put it in your wallet right away. Keep it in your hand, as you speak to the person who gave it to you. The Japanese speak more of their position in the company, than what they have accomplished. They expect to have their jobs for life with the company.

Oh yeah, get a book on Total Quality Management, you are going to be expected to produce zero defects and participate in quality circles. If you have no idea what these terms mean, you'd better educate yourself.

Good luck.

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"I drank what?" - Socrates after drinking the Conium

I'm sat with three other people, all of whom have now been working for 24 hours straight on a document that HAS to be delivered today.

The Japanese do take a special approach to it though.

This Gives some nice descriptions of these sorts of behaviour and their dark sides