"Complete Guide to 'Kamiza and Shimoza': Understanding Japanese Seating Etiquette for Foreign Business Professionals"

Table of Contents

1. What are Upper and Lower Seats: History and Philosophy

2. Basic Seating Map by Conference Room Layout

3. Case Studies by Situation
    3-1. Internal Meetings with Mixed Positions
    3-2. Meetings with Clients
    3-3. Hybrid Meetings with Multinational Teams

4. Three Axes for Determining Hierarchy: Position, Company Tenure, Age

5. Common Misunderstandings and Trouble Cases

6. "Psychological Safety" Created by Upper and Lower Seats: Japanese Hospitality

7. Comparison with Overseas: Differences in Hierarchical Culture

8. "Digital Seating" in Online Meetings

9. Practical Checklist of 10 Items

10. Conclusion: Flexible Forms of Respect
    
    

1. What are Upper and Lower Seats: History and Philosophy

1-1. Origin

The custom of "sitting with one's back to the alcove" in samurai society transformed into the Western-style table seating during the Meiji period, establishing the current conference room seating arrangement. The upper seat is arranged to "place important people in the safest and quietest location," based on the premise of the host's sacrifice (i.e., ease of movement). americanexpress.comxn--pckua2a7gp15o89zb.com

1-2. "Hierarchy" and "Care"

Western hierarchy is a display of authority, but Japanese seating arrangements are inseparable from "hospitality." The care ethic of "the host taking on inconvenience themselves" is inherent.

2. Basic Seating Map by Conference Room Layout

• Long Table Face-to-Face (6-12 people)

  • The central back side farthest from the entrance is the upper seat.

  • The left and right of the upper seat are arranged by position (President→Executive→Manager…).

  • The two seats near the entrance on the lower seat side are for the host company's representatives.kaigishitu.com
    
    
    

• U-shaped layout

  • The middle facing the center, far from the entrance.

  • Seating order is center > center right > center left.
    
    
    

• Round table

  • The position with the back to the entrance is the upper seat. The next best is the one to its right.
    
    
    

• Reception room sofa

  • If there is a single-seater and a three-seater sofa, the single-seater is the upper seat.minnanospace.com

For detailed seat numbers of each diagram, please refer to the illustration (omitted).

3. Case Studies by Situation

3-1. Internal meeting with mixed positions

For example, when a manager is the presenter and an advisor and section chief are present. In cases where the presenter also acts as the host, the presenter should sit at the lower seat, and the advisor at the central upper seat.

3-2. Meeting with clients

Typical arrangement when two members from the client company visit and three from your company:
| Entrance | Lower seat A (company representative) | Lower seat B (young company member) | Lower seat C (company presenter) ||| Upper seat B (client lower position) | Upper seat A (client higher position) | Back wall |


The three on the lower side of the table near the entrance are from your company, and the two on the upper side near the back are the clients.

3-3. Hybrid meeting with a multinational team

In joint projects with foreign companies, it is necessary to balance "position priority," "consideration of nationality," and "online screen arrangement." Even when a Japanese company is the host, a "centered" layout that everyone can agree on can help avoid cultural conflicts.

4. Three Axes for Determining Hierarchy: Position, Company History, Age

The highest priority isposition. If positions are the same, thencompany history, and if company histories are the same, thenageis the convention. However, recently, more companies are intentionally making age hierarchy ambiguous in consideration of gender and diversity.americanexpress.com

5. Common Misunderstandings and Trouble Cases

6. The "Psychological Safety" Created by Seating Order: Japanese Hospitality Perspective

Seating order may seem formal, but it actually createsan atmosphere conducive to conversationandspeeds up consensus building. The person in the seat of honor can focus on "listening," while the host can act swiftly as the "supporter." As a result, the efficiency and satisfaction of meetings improve.

7. Comparison with Overseas: Differences in Hierarchical Cultures

• Western (Flat Culture)

  • Facilitator-centered arrangement rather than by position.

  • The "Head of table" is not necessarily the CEO.
    
    
    

• Southeast Asia (Authority-Emphasizing Hybrid)

  • Elders or religious leaders sit in the seat of honor.
    
    
    

• Middle East (Guest-Focused)

  • The highest seat is offered to the visitor, similar to Japan, but seating order can also be determined by tribe or family units.
    
    

8. "Digital Seating Order" in Online Meetings

In Zoom/Microsoft Teams, the top left/top center of the screen is considered the "upper seat." It is recommended for the host to use the speaker view to fix the guest in the center. Unifying background images and softening the psychological difference between upper and lower tiers can also be effective.

9. Practical Checklist of 10 Items

1. Always check the entrance position

2. Prepare a list of hierarchical positions in advance

3. Company's early arrivals sit near the entrance to "reserve spots"

4. Adjust seating order after exchanging business cards

5. Host serves coffee after the meeting

6. Peers of equal status should "politely offer" seats to each other

7. Distribute simple diagrams to multinational members

8. Fix screen layout settings for online meetings

9. Place canvas bags and coats on the lower seat side

10. During departure, guests leave first, host last
    
    

10. Conclusion—Flexible Forms of Respect

Japanese seating etiquette reflects hospitality by "inviting the guest to the back." It is not an absolute rule, and as long as you maintain the attitude of respecting the other party and moving yourself, minor "seating mistakes" are permissible. Foreign businesspersons should not be too bound by formality and remember that "if in doubt, the host should move and offer," which can help avoid major mistakes.

List of Reference Articles

• Yahoo! News Expert "Why are you sitting there! Seating Etiquette in Meeting Rooms that Professionals Should Know" (2025-06-12)

• American Express Good News "What is Upper and Lower Seating? Explaining Seating Concepts with Business Scene Examples" americanexpress.com

• Meeting HACK! "Where are the Upper and Lower Seats in a Meeting Room? Basic Rules for Seating Positions" kaigishitu.com

• Everyone's Space "Layout by Layout!"Thorough Explanation of the Upper Seat in Meeting Rooms" minnanospace.com

• MyNavi Agent Canvas "Illustrated: What are Upper and Lower Seats? Basics and Decision-Making of Seating Order Explained by Scene" mynavi-agent.jp