Cross-Cultural Interviewing and Counseling: Client-Oriented Perspective between Japanese and American Partners

Abstract

When serving as an attorney for either a Japanese or an American joint venture partner on international engineer-procure-construct contracts on large, complex construction projects, have interviewing and counseling evolved because of the increasing use of client-oriented approaches to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in this multicultural environment? By using practical experiences from multiple projects spanning nearly two decades, most multicultural elements still exist but have evolved. This practical experience suggests that client-centered approaches enable better client results. The primary cultural changes have been the development of corporate leadership and understanding of the legal milieu on the part of client staffs, which facilitates client-oriented approaches. However, recognition of the cultural differences is still an important part of serving the clients’ needs in ADR efforts.