How can you adjust your speech for a Japanese audience?

3 Use appropriate language

The language you use in your speech should be clear, concise, and respectful. You should avoid slang, jargon, idioms, and colloquialisms that may confuse or offend your audience. You should also avoid direct criticism, confrontation, or disagreement that may seem rude or aggressive. Instead, you should use polite expressions, qualifiers, and hedges to soften your tone and show humility. For example, you can say "I think", "I suggest", or "I hope" instead of "I know", "I recommend", or "I expect".

4 Manage your delivery

The delivery of your speech is how you use your voice, body, and visual aids to convey your message. You should aim for a confident, calm, and respectful delivery that suits your audience and your purpose. You should avoid speaking too fast, too loud, or too emotionally that may overwhelm or distract your audience. You should also avoid gestures, facial expressions, or eye contact that may seem inappropriate or disrespectful. For example, you should avoid pointing, touching, or staring at your audience.

5 Engage your audience

Engaging your audience is crucial for any speech, but especially for a Japanese audience. Japanese listeners tend to be quiet, attentive, and reserved during a speech. They may not show much reaction, feedback, or participation. However, this does not mean they are not interested or involved. You should respect their listening style and not force them to interact or respond. You can also use strategies such as asking rhetorical questions, telling stories, or using humor to capture their attention and interest.

6 Respect the etiquette

The etiquette of public speaking is the set of rules and norms that govern the behavior of the speaker and the audience. You should be aware of and respect the etiquette of public speaking in Japan. For example, you should arrive on time, dress appropriately, greet your audience, and thank them for their attention. You should also be prepared for the Q&A session, which may be longer and more challenging than you expect. You should answer the questions politely, honestly, and thoroughly. You should also avoid interrupting, contradicting, or correcting your audience.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?