Looking responsible is almost as important as actually being responsible.I have some friends who teach in English conversation schools (Eikaiwa schools). Often, they’ll be given a job with no instructions or rules at all. Imagine working at a place where your managers may not speak any English whatsoever and you may not be given any feedback on your work. Instead of becoming indignant, demanding, horrified and lost, just do your best and do something. In Japan, looking like you’re productive and responsible is equally as important as actually being productive and responsible. That is probably the best thing to keep in mind while you’re living in Japan. Just do a job and look like you know what you're doing. Eventually, you'll find something that works well for you.
That said, keep the following three things in mind:
1. Look at what other people wear in your company and follow that general idea.
I have no problem with people who dress up and enjoy playing with their hair and clothing in unique ways. I do it, too. People often use their clothing to express what they want people to see in their personality. But I find it very irritating when people use
fashion as a replacement for having a personality. People who complain that dress codes stifle their personalities need to remember that clothing doesn't equal personality and that
nobody cares about you as much as you do.
If you don't like conservative dress codes, don't take a job in a place where that's what is expected of you. If you wanted to be a stripper, you wouldn't expect to work in a turtleneck and an ankle-length skirt, would you? Just as nobody said you have to be a stripper, nobody is saying that you have to work at a company in Japan. Cover your tattoos, don't show cleavage, put your hair in a ponytail. You can express your personality through your clothes outside of work, but
when you're in their building and they're paying you for your time, it looks disrespectful to show up wearing things that they think look unprofessional. People won't usually tell you to change, but you'll know when you're wearing something they don't like.
A generally good rule is this one:
don't be the most casually/oddly dressed person in your office. Again, if you're really attached to your personal style and you want to have pink hair or wear home-made neon clothing to work, maybe you should look into a different line of work. Plenty of people are happily self-employed or work somewhere that isn't an office. If you work in an office and you can't abide modifying your clothing
to suit the tastes of the people who are paying for your time, then maybe you're in the wrong line of work. I own tons of outfits I do not wear at work.
2. Care about your colleagues.
I know that everyone says, "how are you / I am fine" back home and they don't in Japan, but Japanese pleasantries are probably even more important to remember. When you first arrive, you'll probably be shocked at how caring people are to you. This is usually sincere, which is nice, but it's often as sincere as "how are you / I am fine" is true. If you tell someone you're going somewhere, that person will usually remember what you told them and ask you about it later. You should do the same to others. Share some snacks if you have them. And if you travel anywhere, even somewhere close by, it's nice to
bring souvenirs for your office.If you cough or sneeze, your co-workers and students will ask you if you're doing well and tell you to take care of your health. You will often hear
きをつけってね
and you should often say it to people when you say goodbye. It means "take care" and is pronounced, "kiosuketene" (kee-oh-sket-eh-neh). You could use this every day.
3. Remember to look busy and productive.
Of course
it's important to work hard in Japan just as it is in every country. But looking like you're working hard is something that is really important in Japan. When you're at work, for instance, it's best not to eat at your desk. When you're at your desk in front of everyone, it's best to look calm and productive. Don't eat or text people. Go outside if you want to do that.
Staff meetings are also
mostly just for show. The guy who runs
Keeping Pace in Japan described Japanese staff meetings very well when he said that, "
the purpose of a business meeting is not to accomplish anything, it is to come to a consensus on what has been accomplished." All you have to do at staff meetings is smile, listen to people and be excited when something good happens.
Here's a post about
working overtime in Japan.
Last night, I realized that I have only one English-speaking foreign friend in Japan. All of my friends are Japanese except for a few Chinese friends who I speak Japanese with. Only two of my Japanese friends speak English well enough to communicate in English. I love my friends here and I have had some surprisingly deep conversations (passing the electronic dictionary back and forth) and made some interesting memories. 
