Japanese Non-Verbal Communication
Since the Japanese strive for harmony and are group dependent, they rely on facial expression, tone of voice and posture to tell them what someone feels.
They often trust non-verbal messages more than the spoken word as words can have several meanings.
The context in which something is said affects the meaning of the words. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the situation to fully appreciate the response.
Frowning while someone is speaking is interpreted as a sign of disagreement.
Most Japanese maintain an impassive expression when speaking.
Expressions to watch out for include inhaling through clenched teeth, tilting the head, scratching the back of the head, and scratching the eyebrow.
Non-verbal communication is so vital that there is a book for 'gaijins' (foreigners) on how to interpret the signs!
It is considered disrespectful to stare into another person's eyes, particularly those of a person who is senior to you because of age or status.
In crowded situations the Japanese avoid eye contact to give themselves privacy.