Business card etiquette.
I've spent twenty years as a sales executive in Silicon Valley. California is notoriously casual and often times I’ll find I am the only person in the room with business cards. This is not ever going to be the case in Tokyo. It's formal. Wear a suit. Oh, and let's be perfectly clear on this: Always bring business cards.
If you are going to Japan bring a lot of business cards. You'll be amazed at how quickly these will be dispersed. At a formal meeting introductions are made with the most senior person in the room exchanging cards first followed by the less senior people in descending order.
How to exchange cards. Offer your card with two hands holding the edges. If your card is translated into Japanese you'll want to offer the Japanese version to the person and oriented so that they can read it as you are passing it. They will accept the card with two hands and read it, consider the tittle - location, logo etc. They might flip the card to consider the English language version. Take time with each card as it shows respect and makes the exchange a meaningful one - meaning it shows that you ‘get it.’ Then they will offer you a card. You will mirror their process and again: take some time to ponder the card. Cards are important and you'll need to give them a few solid moments.
When you sit down to the meeting keep the cards out on the table and orient them so you know who is who at the table. Do not put the cards away and under no circumstances should you ever take notes or write anything on their card. When the meeting wraps up then, and only then, should you put the cards in your business card holder (similar to a wallet) and then into your pocket. If you plan to do business in Japan on a regular basis you should consider buying a business card holder. This will show that you understand the importance of the business cards and you’ll again gain some points as a visitor how understands this aspect of Japanese business culture.