What to consider before outsourcing Japanese call center services

OABPO Blog Team Published on November 20, 2013

If you’re planning to outsource some of your customer support functions to a Japanese call center, you should oversee more than just the operational aspects that come with the venture.

The economic, cultural, and lingual attributes of the Japanese should also be held with high importance.

The Japanese economy

Japanese call center agent giving thumbs up with successful chart background

The World Bank ranks Japan’s economy as the third largest and second most developed in the world. The country is also the biggest creditor, and as of 2019, 2019, its total financial assets amount to approximately $39 trillion. Fifty three of the Fortune Global 500 companies are headquartered in Japan.

Furthermore, the Land of the Rising Sun has the biggest electronics industry, and its automobile manufacturing sector is the third largest in the world. Japan focuses its innovation on robotics, Hybrid vehicles, and optical instruments.

You can tell from these figures alone that Japan is an economic giant, but its manufacturing industry has been yielding to the cost-saving pressures brought by the 2008 global recession. The nation turned to outsourcing as a cost-efficient measure, and after seeing how the move is helping industries get back on their feet, Japan continues its outsourcing deals with neighboring countries.

The customer needs of this country may largely revolve around electronics, as these are Japan’s main export. As such, devoting a significant part of a Japanese based company’s customer service to technical support might be the most sensible move if you plan on contracting Japanese call center services.

The Japanese culture

As employees, the Japanese are known to stick to the company they joined right after college until their retirement. The Japanese are also known for their “workaholic” attitude—they show up at work early and leave very late, as they regard it as unprofessional to leave before their higher-ups do.

Japanese call center managers bowing

Japanese investors may want to see the same work ethics in their outsourced employees. Countries whose labor force reflects a high turnover rate may put off possible outsourcing partners, so see to it that your outsourcing provider uses the kind of leadership that motivates employees to perform their best.

There is one outsourcing trend that might be unique to Japan: Japanese companies outsource to other countries, but they mostly hire Japanese citizens. They take advantage of low wages and low cost of living in outsourcing capitals like the Philippines, but they entrust their Japanese customers to people who practice their etiquette and traditions—the Japanese natives themselves.

But even if Japanese companies prefer their countrymen to handle their outsourced operations, locals of their outsourcing locations still prove to perform better for half the wage that the Japanese receive. This can alter the trend, especially because Japan outsources mainly to cut expenses.

The Japanese language

smiling japanese call center agent assisting caller over the phone

Obviously, fluency in speaking Japan’s official language, Nihongo, is a must for people aspiring to be part of a Japanese call center.

Since the language is quite popular, Nihongo lessons are commonly offered by various educational institutes. Some multilingual call centers even provide their own Nihongo training.

Your call center representatives must be proficient in both spoken and written Japanese for them to accommodate their meticulous Japanese customers.

Your representatives’ immersion in the Japanese culture should also be present in the way they communicate. Aside from familiarizing themselves with the correct Nihongo intonation, they should also know basic Japanese greetings and formalities. The Japanese language system was constructed to express politeness and formality, so your agents should voice these traits when speaking with a Japanese customer.

Read More

In conclusion, Japan’s economy, culture, and language should be considered before outsourcing call center services for your Japanese clientele. Your representatives must be well-versed in the Japanese tongue and custom. You, in turn, must be acquainted with Japan’s economic behavior. By understanding Japan in these three aspects, your Japanese call center will be more likely to reach and deliver results favorable to Japanese standards.

Open Access BPO is a premier multilingual call center offering multichannel customer support, back office, and content management solutions. Outsource your Japanese call center needs to our Makati, Philippines, or Taipei, Taiwan site. Get in touch with us today!

Join us on facebook
Open Access BPO 19 hours ago
Understanding your consumers' needs enables you to:
• improve the #CustomerExperience;
• earn customer loyalty;
• devise better marketing strategies;
• grow your demographic; and
• increase your revenues.

Here are 5 methods that can help your business have better knowledge of your customers' needs: https://buff.ly/3IWIQPC

----------
Partner only with an outsourcer with the expertise, resources, and manpower your brand needs: https://buff.ly/3PG8V9v

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerSupport #CustomerService
Open Access BPO 21 hours ago
𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫.

Our blog post provides you expert tips and strategies to help you handle these situations with empathy and professionalism.

Discover effective strategies and best practices to ensure your communication remains clear, respectful, and compassionate: https://buff.ly/3PzDMVm

----------
Deliver exceptional #CustomerExperience with our services to ensure #CustomerRetention and foster brand loyalty: https://buff.ly/49cyrdm

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerSupport #CX #CSat
#outsourcing #CustomerSatisfaction
Open Access BPO Yesterday
Your team embodies your brand to customers, from representing your values to delivering a top-notch experience.

That's why hiring those who match your brand's promise is a must. Otherwise, their inadequacies will misrepresent you as an unreliable company.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 #𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞:
https://buff.ly/3TSCwPJ

----------
Outsourcing with us today and get a team of dedicated experts for your business needs.
We develop programs from the ground up to ensure each process and solution matches with your brand’s needs and deeply addresses your customers' demands.

Contact us today and let our program developers know what your goals are, and we’ll help you get there: https://buff.ly/499VtSb

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerSupport #CallCenters
#CX #oustourcing #recruitment
Open Access BPO Yesterday
Unresolved #CustomerService issues cause repeat complaints, which can have severe consequences like:
• customer dissatisfaction;
• loss of sales opportunities;
• increase in #CX expenses; and
• a blow to your brand reputation.

Minimize repeat complaints and elevate #CustomerSatisfaction and loyalty with these invaluable #CustomerExperience tips:
https://buff.ly/4962400

----------
Heighten CX by partnering with the right industry expert: https://buff.ly/3Tx9aoC

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CSat #CustomerSupport
Open Access BPO 6 days ago
No matter how popular your brand is, losing customers is something you can't avoid.

But instead of panicking and worrying incessantly when your customers start leaving, face the situation with an open mind and learn: https://buff.ly/490iW8d

----------
Prevent customer churn with our smart #CustomerExperience solutions: https://buff.ly/3TK5Jfl

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerSatisfaction #CSat #CX
Open Access BPO 6 days ago
#𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞-𝐭𝐨-𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞; 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭-𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞.
Happy customers become loyal customers, and they're more likely to spread the good word about your brand.

But if you want to keep your customers happy, you need to avoid these cardinal sins: https://buff.ly/3x8omB6

---------
Let's start building a #CustomerService program that addresses your needs head-on: https://buff.ly/3TLqV4U

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerSupport #CX
#CustomerExperience #CSat
Open Access BPO