The Basics of Gift Giving and Returning Gifts: Etiquette in Japanese Culture

■ What It Is Gift giving and returning gifts are ways to express gratitude and respect, deeply ingrained in Japanese culture. This custom helps smooth relationships through the exchange of presents. It is a longstanding tradition, and completing the exchange with a return gift signifies the end of an interaction.

■ When and Where Gifts are typically exchanged during annual events or personal celebrations. For example, Obon (summer) and year-end gifts (winter) are seasonal opportunities for gift-giving. Regional differences may exist, so it’s not uniform, but this practice is widespread.

■ Impact on Daily Life During the gift-giving season, stores that sell gifts and transportation systems can become crowded, which can cause inconvenience during travel. Additionally, the prices of products may be higher than usual.

■ How Foreigners Should Handle It If you receive a gift in Japan, it’s advisable to express gratitude and reciprocate. The return gift is typically valued at one-third to half of the original gift’s value. When in doubt, researching the recipient’s preferences and cultural norms can be helpful.

■ Etiquette and Points to Note When giving or receiving gifts, pay attention to the etiquette regarding wrapping and handing over the gift. It’s important that the gift expresses respect for the recipient. Avoid giving excessively expensive gifts as this can burden the recipient.