Japan

Cultural studies

Geography
The Japanese islands are covered by mountains,
most of them heavily forested, and crisscrossed
by short, swift rivers.
About 70% to 80% of the country is forested.
About 15% of the land are suited for agriculture
and the same land is suitable for living.
Earthquakes are very often because it is
surrounded by the Pacific ocean

Climate
Although its topography creates difficulties, its
climate is more benevolent.
The Japanese islands are for the most part in the
temperate zone.
contrast between winters on the coast facing the
Sea of Japan, called Japan's "snow country."

Religion
ShintoandBuddhismare Japan's two major
religions. They have been co-existing for several
centuries and have even complemented each
other to a certain degree. Most Japanese consider
themselves Buddhist, Shintoist or both.

Architecture
Japanese houses have thin walls because of the
mild climateand overlapping, slanted, and slightly
curved roofs because of the fact that there is
plenty of rain especially during early summer.
Timber is the traditional building material for
Japanese houses. It makes them airy which is
important during the humid summer months. The
disadvantages are that the houses can be
damaged easily byearthquakes and fires.
Nowadays, concrete and steel are, of course,
widely used as well.

Martial arts

Karate - the empty hand

Kendo - the sword
Kyudo - the bow
Sumo - is sometimes considered Japan's national
sport and is one of its most popular.

Demography
Population:126,869,397 (as of May 2005)
Japan is the 10th most populated country in the
world.

Language
Language:Japanese
Japan's official language is Japanese, and about
99% of the population speaks Japanese as their
first language. Most public and private schools
require students to take courses in both Japanese
and English.

Education
since1947, compulsory education consists of
elementary school and middle school, which lasts
for 9 years (from age 6 to age 15).
three-year senior high school
96% of high school graduates attend college,
trade school, or other post-secondary institution

Japanese Wedding
Spring and autumn are the favorite seasons for
Japanese weddings. On certain days, which are
considered auspicious in the Japanese almanac,
there may be as many as forty couples united in
Japanese weddings at a Shinto shrine.

Culture, traditions and

customs

Since the Japanese strive for harmony and

are group dependent, they rely on facial
expression, tone of voice and posture to tell
them what someone feels.
They often trust non-verbal messages more
than the spoken word as words can have
several meanings.
It is considered disrespectful to stare into
another person's eyes, particularly those of a
person who is senior to you because of age or
status.
The oldest person in a group is always

Food
A bowl of plain cooked rice is served with most
Japanese meals. For breakfast, it is sometimes
mixed with a raw egg andsoya sauce

Rituals and practice

Japanese tea ceremony
It is aJapanese culturalactivity involving the
ceremonial preparation and presentation of
matcha, powdered greentea.

Relationships & Communication

The Japanese prefer to do business on the basis of
personal relationships.
In general, being introduced or recommended by
someone who already has a good relationship
with the company is extremely helpful as it allows
the Japanese to know how to place you in a
hierarchy relative to themselves.
One way to build and maintain relationships is
with greetings / seasonal cards.
It is best to telephone for an appointment rather
than send a letter, fax or email.

PR experience
The metro station.
- Because of local peoples fast life pace, the speed
of escalators in metro stations was much faster
than that of other places. To remind passengers to
hold the handrails and stand firm, there was a
picture of a penguin called Qidingding holding the
handrails on an escalator. Qidingding can be
interpreted as a penguin while it literally means
standstill in Cantonese. This PR tactic used clever
remark for safety tips and can be especially
effective when targeting at children who love
animated characters.

Public relations in Japan

In Japan, the primary model of public relations used
is the "personal influence" model. It is widely used
because the culture requires that business
partners build stable relationships by
communicating with them in informal settings.
Another term to help public relations practitioners
working in Japan isgiri. This term means "the
things people must do or the correct way of
behavior for smooth social life."If foreign
practitioners are to do well in Japanese business
settings, they must obey these rules.

Media outlets

NEWSPAPERS
MAGAZINES
TV AND RADIO
OUT-OF-HOME ADVERTISING
-Commuter rail is the primary way that workers
commute in major cities in Japan.

Philippines
Cultural Studies

Geography
Philippines is located in South-east Asia.
The Philippines is divided into three main geographic
areas: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Manila is the capital.
Philippines comprises of 7,107 islands. Topography of
the islands is mostly mountainous with narrow to large
coastal lowlands.
Has problems of deforestation, soil and water pollution.
Has problem of air pollution because of large population
in urban centers.
Note: Important destination of Outsourcing

Demographics
Population of the country:
101,833,938 (July 2011 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.903% (2011 est.)
Birth rate:
25.34 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
Mortality rate:
5.02 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

 Literacy rate:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:92.6%
male:92.5%
female:92.7% (2000 census)

Climatic Conditions
Philippines has the Tropical Rainforest Climate all
over the country.
Some rainfall is expected every month but its
fluctuating throughout the year.
Two main characteristics of climate are:
High temperatures
High atmospheric humidity

 Typhoons
Presence of strong typhoons. The Western Pacific
typhoons occur in the period June-November.
The monsoon is a rainy wind coming from
southwest, trade wind coming from northeast
mostly in the month of December-May.

Culture, Traditions and

Customs
The United States colonized
the Philippines from 1898 to 1946.
American influence evident on
the culture like English language,
food, music, etc.
Hispanic influences on Philippine
folk music, dance, art and religion.
Spanish-Mexican influence within
Filipino culture, customs and traditions.

Culture, Traditions and

Customs
Other Chinese and Japanese influences are found
on their games and martial arts, since colonial
period. (mahjong, jueteng)
Their culture is mainly of Family Relationships.
(third cousins)
Santacruzan is the popular
tradition there.
Filipino idol is a singing contestFinale of PAFCOMs annual PhilippineAmerican Friendship Day festival.

Mannerisms

Hospitality is the another aspect of their culture.

Believes in true friendship.
Always willing to help foreigners and others.
Sharing and Offering others is their quality.

Religion
In Philippines there is approximately 85%
Christians (Roman Catholic), 10% Muslims and 5%
other religion.
Only one predominantly Christian country in all of
Asia.

Language
Filipino is the national language.
Spanish was the official language for 300 years
when Spaniards colonized Philippines.
English are the official language for education and
government.

Food
Philippines cuisine is a blend
of Malay, Spanish and Chinese
cultures.
Coconut is the important
component in Filipino dishes.
Coconut also used in preparing
desserts like bibingka, etc.
However, rice is the staple
food of Philippines.
Pork is the most popular meat.

Rituals and Practice

Filipinos believes in stars before doing auspicious
tasks.
Among Igorot tribes, some stars must be in line
with the moon before important events like
hunting, battles, sacrifices, etc.
During Easter, Roman Catholics make a march on
Good Friday to atone for their sins.

Rituals and Practice

They believed that amulets(object worn around
neck to protect themselves) known as antinganting gave the possessor the super powers and
protect them from iron weapons.
The belief in any ritual is that, there exists a
delicate balance between nature and man and the
spirit world.
Rituals expressed through dance (symbol).

Habits
Food Habits: They love to eat. They are
strict about their meal timings. They are generous
too in offering to others.
Study Habits: Positive attitude towards
learning and good reasoning skills.
Shopping Habits: Wiser purchasing
habits(comparison). Prioritize beauty and
health products.
The Personal Finance Habits: Saving habits,
Reliance on health insurance.

Clothes
Barong Tagalog is the upper garment and the
typical formal mens wear in Philippines.
Terno is the traditional dress for women.

Transport
Tricycles, Multicabs are used for
short distances (desired place).
Jeepneys is used for short
and long distances.
In big cities, like Cebu or Manila
jeepney is used for transportation.
Buses and taxis are available too.

Media
In the country, private media communication
networks outnumber their government
counterparts.
The structural order of private sector in
broadcasting, PR, advertising and print is imposed
through trade organizations.
Normal, print media (24 dailies), television cables,
radio (operated by civic and political org.,
Magazines, etc.

Communication
Filipinos always try to remain calm
and control their emotions.
Their expressing anger, negativity or public
embarrassment results in loss of face.
Avoid causing embarrassment or offence while
dealing.
Normally, avoid direct rejection, disagreement,
especially when superior is involved.
Group Loyalty is important.
Cordial personal relationship.

Public Relations
PR in Philippines blossomed mainly after Manila (capital)
came into existence from Japanese occupation.
Sudden rise in business sections and pages.
Jose A.Carpio is the Father of Philippine PR and also
Founder of PRSP.
Filipino PR practitioners understood the importance that
strategic government PR creates awareness among
people and also builds good image.
PRSP would help the country to do its PR through
seminars, training programs, networking, contacts and
publications.
According to Culbertson and Chen, its self propelled,
dynamic and professional.