Mastering First Impressions in Japanese Business Culture

身みだしなみ・振ふる舞まい (Midashinami & Furumai)

1. Overview

日に本ほん語ごで「第だい一いち印いん象しょう」とは、相あい手に最さい初しょに与あたえる印いん象しょうを指さします。それは外がい見けんだけではなく、姿し勢せい、声こえのトーン、表ひょう情じょう、そして最さい初しょの瞬しゅん間かんに示しめす敬けい意いなども含ふくまれます。日に本ほんのビジネス文ぶん化かでは、その第だい一いち印いん象しょうがその後ごの関かん係けい全ぜん体たいに大おおきな影えい響きょうを与あたえることがあります。

The first impression is decided within seconds!

In Japanese, Dai-ichi-inshou means “first impression.” It’s not just about looks — it includes your posture, tone of voice, facial expression, and the respect you show in those first moments.

日に本ほんでは、自じ分ぶんの見みた目めや身みだしなみは、自じ身しんのプロフェッショナリズム、所しょ属ぞくする会かい社しゃ、さらには相あい手への敬けい意いを直ちょく接せつ反はん映えいするものと見みなされます。

In Japanese business culture, that initial image can strongly influence how others see you for the rest of the relationship. How you present yourself is seen as a direct reflection of your professionalism, your company, and even your respect for others.

「身みだしなみ」は、服ふく装そうや身みの回まわりの清せい潔けつさ、全ぜん体たい的てきな外がい見けんを指さします。

「振ふる舞まい」は、立たち居い振ふる舞まいや姿し勢せい、行おこないの方ほうを意い味みします。

Midashinami refers to grooming, clothing, and overall appearance.

Furumai refers to your mannerisms, posture, and how you act in various situations.

わずかなことでも、たとえばシャツのしわ、カジュアルすぎるアクセサリー、姿し勢せいの悪わるさなどが、誤あやまった印いん象しょうを与あたえる可か能のう性があります。常つねに清せい潔けつ感かんがあり、落おち着つき、そして相あい手に集しゅう中ちゅうしている姿し勢せいを心こころがけることが大たい切せつです。

Even small details — a slightly wrinkled shirt, overly casual accessories, or slouching — can send the wrong message. The goal is to appear polished, neutral, and attentive at all times

2. How to Do It Correctly

Appearance (身みだしなみ)

• Wear a clean, well-pressed suit (dark navy, charcoal, or black).
• For men: simple tie, polished shoes, conservative haircut.
• For women: understated makeup, minimal jewelry, professional hairstyle.
• Avoid strong perfumes or colognes.

Behavior (振ふる舞まい)

• Stand and sit with good posture — avoid crossing arms or legs in formal settings.
• Keep gestures minimal and controlled.
• Listen attentively without interrupting.
• Nod slightly while others speak to show engagement (aizuchi).

💡 Cultural Tip

In Japan, people often say 「見みた目めは中なか身みを映うつす」 (mitame wa nakami o utsusu) — “Your appearance reflects what’s inside.” Even if you’re skilled, sloppy grooming can make people doubt your professionalism.

3. Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Wearing overly bright colors or flashy accessories in a formal meeting.

❌ Carrying a messy or worn-out briefcase.

❌ Slouching, fidgeting, or checking your phone during conversations.

❌ Overusing hand gestures or speaking too loudly.

4. Grammar & Vocabulary Notes 

N4

〜てください – Please do…

Polite request form.

Example: 落おち着ついた振ふる舞まいをしてください (Please behave in a calm and composed manner).

〜が大たい切せつです – … is important

Used to emphasize importance.

Example: 第だい一いち印いん象しょうが大たい切せつです (First impressions are important).

〜ましょう – Let’s…

Volitional form used to make suggestions.

Example: 身みだしなみを整ととのえてから出でかけましょう (Let’s fix our appearance before heading out).

N3

礼れい儀ぎ正ただしい – Polite, well-mannered

い-adjective. 礼れい儀ぎ = manners, 正ただしい = correct. Describes someone who follows proper etiquette.

上じょう品ひんな – Elegant, refined

な-adjective. Means refined in manner, appearance, or taste. Opposite: 下げ品ひんな (vulgar).

〜てから – After doing… then…

Indicates a sequence of actions.

Example: 身みだしなみを整ととのえてから出でかけましょう (After fixing our appearance, let’s go out).

N2

第だい一いち印いん象しょう – First impression

Compound noun: 第だい一いち (first) + 印いん象しょう (impression). Often used with verbs like 与あたえる (to give) or 持もつ (to have).

控ひかえめな – Modest, reserved

な-adjective. Means modest, reserved, or moderate. Can describe behavior, speech, or quantity.

振ふる舞まい – Behavior, manner

Refers to manners, posture, or conduct in social situations. From the verb 振ふる舞まう (to act/behave or to serve).

〜を心こころがける – To make a conscious effort to…

Example: 清せい潔けつ感かんのある身みだしなみを心こころがけています (I make sure to maintain a clean and neat appearance).

N2–N1 (Most Advanced)

清せい潔けつ感かん – Sense of cleanliness

Noun meaning “impression of cleanliness.” 清せい潔けつ = clean, 感かん = feeling.

身みだしなみ – Personal appearance, grooming

Refers to neatness in dress and grooming, especially in professional settings.