Japanese body language rules guide social interactions in Tokyo and Osaka
Journalist Mizuki Uchiyama explains how specific gestures and bows define relationships in Japan.
Gestures depend on age
A simple goodbye changes based on the person being addressed. Visitors wave at friends of their own age but bow to someone older. Pointing at another person is never acceptable regardless of how well you know them.
Handshakes are avoided
Meeting someone for the first time does not involve shaking hands in this culture. These non-verbal cues appear in crowded tourist sites and on public transportation. Understanding these signals helps outsiders navigate social situations without speaking.
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