Should I Bow in Japan?

When people in Japan greet each other, they nod their heads or bow. How low they bow depends on social and corporate hierarchy. For example, an office clerk will bow very low at the waist when greeting his supervisor, whereas the supervisor’s bow will be much shorter.

Foreigners are not expected to know the intricacies of bowing; however it is polite to give a nod back to others as a sign of respect.