how you make people feel matters most - in fact, defamation law in Japan upholds even if what you said was true!
NEVER be late or on time, BE EARLY (although Japanese may be late if meeting a foreigner but never if meeting a Japanese)
there is NO tipping in Japan - this may make them uncomfortable if you push it
Japanese people are generally quiet and like their personal space - don't be loud, boisterous or over-friendly - they are not huggers or high fivers
Try to speak Japanese if possible
Place cash on a tray when paying (and if giving cash it should be in an appropriate envelope - there are envelopes for marriages, bereavements, etc - don't get the wrong one - if you are just re-paying someone, use a cheap envelope made of thin paper without any decorations)
Bring business cards and receive them with TWO hands respectfully and place them in your wallet, not your back pocket (this is because Japanese people need to know how the other person's name is written as there are several variations in written language)
Don't use your phone on public transport or in restaurants / pubs / cafes (keep it in silent and go outside to use it)
Keep public places including trains clean - only eat or drink whilst walking in food market areas
Don't put soy sauce on a bowl of rice - only on a meat dish
When Japanese people go on a holiday they are expected to bring back gifts for fellow employees or friends - so they often avoid telling them they are going
It may be rude to wear sunglasses, especially in certain places or when meeting those in higher standing than you
It is rare for Japanese to wear shorts (shorts are “only” for children) even on hot days in central urban areas, during professional work, or on more formal events (residential areas, Kansai and south-west Japan it is more acceptable, and if you are a tourist “gaikokujin”/“gaijin”) In Tokyo, slacks are the fashion - blue jeans and polo shirts are NOT, whereas in Osaka it is much more relaxed.
Keep to the left on escalators in Tokyo (right side in Osaka) and don't push in on queues
Don't point your finger as this is very rude, especially at a person - they use whole of hand gestures instead
People leave a possession such as a bag or phone on a table to reserve the table - if you find a wallet or purse on the ground never open it but you can place it somewhere more visible
Wait for someone to take you to a table when you go to a restaurant
NEVER criticise food even if it tastes awful (this is only done anonymously online later - hence the often poor online ratings!) - Japanese people often mumble “uma!” as soon as they put the food into their mouth
Always accept food when offered to you, or you are not just rejecting the food, you are rejecting the person and gesture of kindness
Don't open or close taxi doors - the driver will do this remotely for you and be upset if you try to
Wear masks in crowded places such as on trains
In crowded places, move your backpack to your front to avoid knocking people
If an overly friendly person comes up to you in English, they want your money or for you to join their cult
Don't talk to the touts outside bars / karaoke rooms (usually in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Roppongi, or even Akasaka by Nigerians who speak English and appear to be super friendly) who will be almost impossible to get away from and entice you into a bar for free drinks only to seriously over-charge you for drinks but also use hostesses and spiked drinks to scam your credit card
1) Avoid friendly Japanese women who try to entice you into a “party” or offer you pamphlets to join a Buddhist cult to “make you happy”
2)
the Yakuza are the organised crime syndicates in Japan
Japan may have very low reported crime rates because the police tend not to act on many reports