JAPANESE SEASONAL GREETINGS AND CUSTOMS

December and January provide many occasions for reinforcing business relationships and, consequently, good opportunities for strengthening your connections.

In December, bonenkai (end of year) parties are held in offices and with one's friends to "forget the old year." Christmas celebrations are often incorporated into it. Presents called o-seibo are given. Businesses also use this time to reflect on the year's mistakes and plan for a prosperous new year.

The last time one sees clients and colleagues (as well as friends and relatives) the following expressions are used:

• "Kotoshi wa iroiro osewa ni narimashita" (Thank you for taking care of me this year).
• "Rainen mo, yoroshiku onegaishimasu" (Please treat me kindly next year too).

These expressions signify the importance of reminding each other of the good relationship they had during the year, as well as their hopes for a continuation of such good relations throughout the new year.

The first three days of January are national holidays in Japan. People visit each other during these holidays and exchange the following greetings: "Akemashite omedetoo gozaimasu" (Congratulations on the New Year or Happy New Year!). Please note that in Japan you do not wish someone "Happy New Year" before the fact, as Westerners might toward the end of December. This phrase is to be said on or after January First.

Then "Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu" (Please treat me kindly this year, too) is added. On a more formal occasion, the speaker may say "Sakunen wa iroiro osewani narimashita" (Thank you for being so good to me last year) between the two phrases above.

These expressions are also written on New Year's cards called "Nengajoo" which are widely exchanged in Japan among friends, relatives, and business associates just like Christmas cards are in the US.

People usually do a year-end cleaning in anticipation of the new year but do not clean on New Year's Day, in order to avoid driving good spirits away. An informal New Year's meeting is held on the first day back at work. Great effort is made to start the new year on a positive note.

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© By Diana Rowland and Yuko Kipnis