High-Context Cultures

Japan functions as an example of a high-context culture because it is primarily a collectivist culture that places a high value on intrapersonal relationships. Because of the emphasis on collectivism and intrapersonal relationships, communication is often done through contextual elements, such as through nonverbal communication in the form of body language. Other contextual elements that help communication form in this environment is a person’s status, or tone of voice. In this manner, high-context cultures do not necessarily need written rules or language to communicate. Instead their communication can take the form of nonverbal cues or traditional social behaviors.

High-context cultures carry with them a particular set of values, which are often in contrast to low-context cultures that will be discussed in the next section. The values of high-context cultures are the following:

• Group harmony
• Collectiveness
• Belonging
• Age/seniority
• Group consciousness
• Cooperation
• Quality
• Patience
• Indirectness
• Go-between

When communicating with high-context cultures, it is important you remember these values, as knowing the values listed above will aid you in communication with clients, customers, and employees who may be from a high-context culture.