Tech Week FAQ's

IMPORTANT: ETI's Tech Week events are restricted to full members who are current with membership dues.

For data security reasons each OEM will only be providing one copy of their technical information to ETI. ETI will then distribute the information to each of you. Scan Tool data stream information will be distributed to the members of the Scan Tool Vertical Group only and are subject to the terms of any existing license requirements. All other information will be distributed to everyone.

Tech Week Rules

To assist you with planning for your travel during Winter Tech Week, below are some tips that will help make your trip a successful one and to help you better prepare your travels.

If you have any further questions, please contact Jessie at 248.656.5085 or jessiek@etools.org

Please forward your itinerary to Jessie at jessiek@etools.org as soon as possible.  We encourage you to make your flight reservations NOW.

Weather
The average high for December is 58F
The average low for December is 42F

• You will need a valid passport to travel to Japan.
• Make sure you carry your passport on you at all times and that you have your passport number in a safe place.  Be aware that the laws of many countries require adults to be in possession of official identification at all times.  For the foreign traveler, that legally required identification is the passport. Many countries permit you to carry a facsimile (photocopy) of the passport on your person, leaving the actual document in a safe place.

Travel Light

• For trans-Pacific travel the maximum weight for any piece of checked luggage is usually 70lbs.  Please double check with your airline for weight, size and number restrictions.
• The hotel has laundry service available. Clothes dropped off in the morning will be returned by that evening.
• Hair dryers are provided in the hotel rooms, so there’s one less thing to pack.

Internet Service

Wi-Fi Hotspots are available in some places.  All hotels we are using provide free high speed Internet access. 

Telephone

• Some cell phones will work in Japan.  Check with your carrier, you may need to purchase a chip and upgrade service.
• For those of you with AT&T Wireless, to avoid extremely costly data charges while in Japan, make sure you turn off your data roaming.  On the IPhone go to general; settings; networks; turn off data roaming.
• You can use Skype, MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger on your computer.  It requires a headset (with mic and headphones) hooked to your computer and an internet connection.  The quality is pretty good on any of these.  You can download any of these programs for free on the internet.  You can also download these programs to your internet capable phone for instant messaging.
• You can rent cell phones at the airport by the day, week or month. They are expensive. Rental fees are high and per minute charges are high as well.
• Long Distance telephone service is available from your hotel room and any pay phone. The problem is figuring out how to use the pay phones. Calling from your hotel works, but can get expensive.

Electrical Requirements

• The part of Japan we will be traveling in uses 100 Volt 60 cycle electricity.
• Any device that works on the U.S. 115 Volt system will work on the Japanese system. Their receptacles are the same as in the U.S. except there is no earth ground pin. Therefore, any device you bring with three prongs will require an adapter. Two prong devices will work fine without an adapter.

Money

• Right now the exchange rate is about 100 Yen = One Dollar.  We suggest checking as rates fluctuate daily.
  
• Visa and MasterCard are accepted almost everywhere. An exception might be a small restaurant or Bar off the beaten path. You should carry some cash with you for small transactions.
• While there are ATMs in Japan, most are not open 24 hours a day or do not accept a U.S.-based card. ATMs at major airports, foreign bank branches, Japanese Post Offices and some convenience stores are more likely to accept foreign cards than other locations.
• There is a currency exchange at the airport and you may want to take advantage of this and get your US dollars exchanged there.
• Tips are not expected or encouraged in Japan.

Business Attire

Men - Japanese business etiquette may be getting less formal but business attire does not seem to be changing. It is recommended that you wear dark suits (navy or black) with white shirt and subdued tie. Do not wear black suit, white shirt and black tie because that is funeral attire.

Women – It is recommended that you wear shorter (or tied back) hair, trouser suits or longer skirt suits with seasonal colors as for men.  Most Japanese companies do not allow female employees to wear jewelry, very short skirts or high-heeled shoes.

Japanese Business Etiquette

• In Japanese business etiquette, Japanese business cards are a 'must have'. Carry at least 100 for a 1 week business trip to Japan.
• Never flick, throw, slide, lob or otherwise push your Japanese business card across the table - always present your Japanese business card holding it with both hands, language side facing forward to the most senior member of the Japanese party first, bowing slightly as you do so and then on down the corporate ladder.
• Accept a Japanese business card with respect, using both hands, saying 'Thank you' or 'Hajimemashite' as you do so.
• Never write notes on a Japanese business card - never! Carry a small note book to write down notes or enter them into your PDA.
• Never fidget or play with a Japanese business card.
• Keep your Japanese business cards in a proper carrying case and treat them with respect
• Remember to deliberately and carefully pick up all of the Japanese business cards you receive and put them into your case at the end of the meeting.
• You probably get the idea that Japanese business cards are important!

Business Meetings
Wait to be seated in the meeting room because there is a custom regarding which party sits on which physical side of the table (which supposedly dates back to the samurai era)!

It is good Japanese business etiquette to take lots of notes - it indicates interest and Japanese are trained during induction to note down everything at meetings. If you forget a discount that you promised in an early meeting, even a year later the Japanese side will show you the note they made at the time!

Personal Habits

• Do not blow your nose in a public place (including meeting rooms).
• Do not grab your host's hand when first meeting and give it a hearty shake - many Japanese seldom shake hands and can be so uncomfortable doing so as to avoid meeting again!
• Never pat a Japanese man on the back or shoulder.
• Avoid pointing directly at someone with your finger (use your hand to point, if you must).
• Avoid the "OK" sign; in Japan it means money.
• Understand that the Japanese prefer not to use the word no. If you ask a question they may simply respond with a yes or I will look into it, but clearly mean no. Understanding this is critical in the negotiation process.
• The Japanese are not uncomfortable with silence. They use it to their advantage in many situations. Allow your host to sit in silence.