Understand why 99% of expats fail in Japan. Understand communication. If you choose to communicate in Japanese, you will have to follow Japanese rules. It's funny to observe and realize, how a shift in the spoken language between two people also changes the person's attitude, behavior, mental state etc. If it doesn't change, it's because you are not native in that language.

Many Westerners prefer to “think out of the box.” In contrast, Japanese generally “think inside the box.” They avoid "standing out" compared to other people, and they avoid offending others.

Doing business with Japanese people can be one of the most rewarding experiences. This applies to newcomers to Japan and also to people, like me, for whom Japan is a second home. Japanese hospitality and attentiveness to guests’ needs seem almost limitless.