In Japan, when people refer to themselves, they often point to the tip of their nose with their index finger to mean “me.” When indicating “you,” however, they usually tilt an open palm slightly upward and gesture gently toward the other person.

It is also worth noting that pointing directly at someone with a finger is considered quite rude in Japan. Even when giving directions or explaining something, using a single finger to point is discouraged. The polite way is to keep all five fingers together and use the whole hand to indicate a place or object.

On your next trip to Japan, try paying attention to these small gestures. You will notice that people working in customer service, in particular, are very mindful of these subtle but important details.

When it gets crowded, Japanese people often use a distinctive gesture to say “excuse me.” With the fingers of the right hand held together, they move the hand up and down in a vertical, chopping motion while slightly bowing and moving forward.

This gesture gently clears a path, shows the direction they want to go, and, with the added bow, expresses politeness and consideration for others. It is a very “Japanese-style” way of navigating busy stations, shops, or streets.

When expressing a negative response, Japanese people often wave their hand lightly in front of their face. This gesture can mean “not me,” “no thank you,” or “that’s not possible.” It is also commonly used when someone receives a compliment, as a way of saying “I’m not that great” or “it’s nothing, really.”

It is a soft, indirect way of declining or downplaying something, which fits well with Japan’s preference for polite and subtle communication.

In Taiwan, placing both hands together in front of the nose usually means making a request or asking for a favor. In Japan, however, this gesture is often used to express an apology. It is commonly seen among friends, such as when someone arrives late to a casual meetup and wants to say “sorry” in a lighthearted way. The gesture often carries a slightly bashful or playful feeling.

If you watch Japanese dramas, you will probably notice female characters pressing their hands together and bowing their heads when apologizing. Many viewers find this gesture instantly charming.

Of course, for more formal apologies, a proper bow is still expected. Interestingly, this same gesture also appears before meals in Japan. When people press their hands together and say “Itadakimasu,” they are expressing gratitude for the food they are about to enjoy.

Clenching both fists, extending the index fingers, and placing them on top of the head like devil horns is a gesture Japanese people use to indicate anger. This is usually done when talking about a third person who is not present. For example, if Employee A is telling Employee B that their boss was angry yesterday, they might make this gesture while speaking.

In Japanese culture, anger is often associated with demons or evil spirits, which is why horns are used as a visual symbol to represent being angry.

Placing one hand palm-up and lightly striking it with a clenched fist is a common Japanese gesture meaning “Oh, I remember!” or “That’s right!” It is also used when someone suddenly comes up with a new idea.

This gesture appears frequently in daily conversations and Japanese dramas alike. Using it while speaking can make your expressions feel more lively and animated.

Finally, let’s talk about numbers, especially the hand signs for six and above. In Japan, counting from one to five on your fingers is the same as in Taiwan. From six onward, however, the system changes completely.

To show six, one hand is held palm-up while the other hand places one finger onto the palm. Two fingers represent seven, three fingers eight, and so on. Ten is shown by opening both hands with palms facing up. In Japan, the number is simply the number of fingers being used.

Because of this, when Taiwanese people use their thumb and index finger to indicate “seven,” Japanese people may interpret it as “two,” a finger gun, or even a photo pose. Meanwhile, the Taiwanese gesture for six may be mistaken in Japan for “calling on the phone” or the Hawaiian greeting “aloha.”

Today we introduced a variety of Japanese gestures. Which one do you find the most useful? In Japan, gestures and conversation are closely intertwined. Learning when and how to use these expressions can make communication smoother, help others understand you more easily, and even make your Japanese sound more natural.

Text by: Wen-Jun Wang