Kizuki #13｜The Same Japanese, Different Communication

^{日本語は英語に続く}

Recently, I noticed something interesting while interacting with Japanese people based in Japan.

Even among Japanese people, communication styles can change depending on the environment in which they live.

One example is response speed.

Having grown up in Japan, I have always been familiar with the idea that replying promptly helps build trust and maintain relationships.

However, after living in the UK since 2003, I realised that my own communication style had gradually changed as well.

Over time, I came to see that communication is not just about words.

Response speed, tone, email style, and even the distance we keep from others all play a part.

That is why I now believe:

Communication is not simply about language.
It is not simply about choosing the right words.
It is also about understanding what makes the other person feel comfortable.

Does it surprise you that communication styles can differ even among Japanese people?

If communication can change between Japanese people living in Japan and Japanese people living in the UK, perhaps it is not surprising that even greater differences can exist between people from different countries.

The good news is that there is something you can do to make communication with Japanese people smoother.

In this month's Kizuki, I explore why communication styles change, even among Japanese people, and how this insight can help build stronger relationships and deeper trust across cultures.

🌸 Learning Cafe members

The full Kizuki article is available in the member area.

A Japanese version is also included in the full Kizuki edition.

🌸 Not a member yet?

There is something you can do to communicate more smoothly with Japanese people.

Read the full article here.

Let’s grow together!

Mineko Arai
Japanese Cross-cultural Communication Specialist

Communication is not simply about language.
Communication begins with understanding.

私は日本で育ちましたが、2003年からイギリスで生活しています。

最近、日本在住の日本人とやり取りする中で、同じ日本人でも住む環境によってコミュニケーションの感覚が変わることに改めて気付きました。

例えば返信のスピード。

日本では早い返信が信頼関係につながると考えられることが多い一方、イギリスでは違うペースでコミュニケーションが進むことも珍しくありません。

そして私自身も、長年イギリスで暮らすうちに少しずつ変化していました。

今回のKizukiでは、

なぜ同じ日本人でもコミュニケーションの感覚が変わるのか。

そして、その気付きが異文化コミュニケーションや信頼構築にどうつながるのかについてお話ししています。

🌸 日本語での全文はLearning CafeでKizuki完全版でお読みいただけます。

Let’s grow together!

Mineko Arai

Japanese Cross-cultural communication Specialist