When working with international staff, you may sometimes feel they rarely apologize. Without understanding the background, it can be hard to know how to respond. Yet attitudes toward apology differ greatly by country and culture, and countries that apologize as often as Japan are said to be in the minority. In this article, we compare apology cultures around the world in ranking form, explain why foreign nationals may appear not to apologize, and cover practical ways to communicate smoothly—especially with Vietnamese employees.

Apology Cultures Around the World ①: Japan Is a Country That Apologizes Too Much

When you feel that “foreign nationals don’t apologize,” the first thing to revisit is Japanese people’s own apology habits. From a global perspective, how often Japanese people apologize falls into a rather unusual category.

Japanese Apology Frequency Ranks Among the Highest in the World

Japanese has a very rich set of apology-related expressions, such as “sumimasen,” “moshiwake gozaimasen,” and “gomen nasai.” In business settings, it is everyday practice to open an email with a phrase like “I am sorry to trouble you when you are busy,” or to begin a phone call with “I am sorry to have kept you waiting.” These habits stand out even compared with English-speaking countries and other parts of Asia.

“Sumimasen” Is Not Only an Apology—It Is Also a Greeting

A distinctive feature of Japanese “sumimasen” is that it is widely used not only as a pure apology but also to express gratitude or to get someone’s attention. For example, saying “sumimasen, arigatou gozaimasu” after receiving directions, or calling a store clerk with “sumimasen,” are situations that have nothing to do with apology when translated directly into English. As a result, Japanese people utter “apology words” many times a day without realizing it, and they tend to expect the same sense of apology from foreign nationals as well.

Japan’s Apology Culture Looks Unusual from Overseas

Quite a few overseas business professionals are surprised by how often Japanese people apologize. Many foreign nationals wonder why someone apologizes even when they are not at fault, and the practice is sometimes noted as a uniquely Japanese communication custom. From the Japanese side, the reverse impression—“Why don’t they apologize?”—arises, but this is not a matter of cultural superiority or inferiority; it is because the meaning invested in the act of apologizing differs.

Apology Cultures Around the World ②: Ranking of Countries That Don’t Apologize and Each Country’s Context

From here, let’s look at apology cultures around the world in ranking form. That said, the phrase “don’t apologize” is only a relative impression when compared with Japan, and it is important to keep in mind that each country has its own rational background.

Countries with Fewer Apologies Each Have Their Own Reasons

The following is not an official ranking but an editorial summary based on cultural tendencies. Countries often said to apologize less frequently than Japan include the United States, China, France, Germany, and some countries in the Middle East. In the United States, the influence of a litigious society tends to discourage casual apologies; in China, a culture that places high value on face (mianzi) raises the barrier to apologizing. In France and Germany, a culture of clearly asserting personal opinions is well established, and the common view is that “if you are not wrong, there is no need to apologize.” In some Middle Eastern countries, a mode of thinking that attributes events to “God’s will” as a religious value can also limit situations in which people apologize as a personal fault.

In Western Countries, an Apology Can Be Seen as Admission of Legal Liability

Especially in English-speaking business settings such as the United States and the United Kingdom, a casual apology carries the risk of being treated as an admission of legal liability. For that reason, what is expected when a problem occurs is not “I’m sorry,” but identification of the cause and presentation of measures to prevent recurrence. For them, however, showing a solution is itself regarded as a sincere response, so it would be premature to simply see them as “making excuses without apologizing.”

Even Within Asia, the Meaning of Apology Differs by Country

Assuming that “because we are all in Asia, views on apology must be similar” may be too simplistic. South Korea, like Japan, has a rich set of apology expressions, but in China and Vietnam the concept of face is strong, and a public apology can be seen as a major humiliation. In Thailand and the Philippines, as symbolized by expressions such as “mai pen rai” (don’t worry about it) and “bahala na” (come what may), there is a culture of letting issues pass without escalating them. Behind the Filipino “bahala na” is a faith-based value of accepting fate that derives from “Bathala” (God). For that reason, Asia should not be treated as a single bloc; what is needed is an attitude of understanding each country’s cultural background.

Apology Cultures Around the World ③: The Real Reasons Foreign Nationals Don’t Apologize

We have looked at a “ranking of countries that don’t apologize,” but what actually becomes an issue in the workplace is the concrete question of why the foreign employee in front of you does not apologize. That reason can be organized along three axes: culture, language, and organization.

Cultures Split Between Admitting Fault and Presenting Solutions

In Japan, first saying “moshiwake gozaimasen” and admitting fault is considered the first step toward restoring trust. In many other countries, by contrast, showing “what we will do going forward” is valued more highly than admitting fault. As a result, when a foreign employee begins discussing improvement measures after a mistake without words of apology, a Japanese manager may feel they “are not reflecting on it.” Even so, this is not a lack of sincerity—only a different way of expressing sincerity.

Language Structure Raises the Barrier to Apology Expressions

For foreign nationals learning Japanese, choosing the right apology expression for each situation is a very difficult task. Japanese apology expressions carry subtle differences in nuance, and many foreign nationals struggle to judge which expression to use when. In addition, if they do not recognize a situation as one that requires an apology when thinking in their native language, it is natural that a Japanese apology expression will not come out.

Workplace Hierarchy Can Also Become a Barrier to Apology

In Japanese workplaces, it is accepted as a matter of course that subordinates apologize to supervisors. In some countries, however, the meaning of apology within hierarchical relationships differs greatly. For example, in Western countries the relationship between supervisors and subordinates tends to be flatter, and mistakes are discussed on a fact basis regardless of rank. In some Southeast Asian countries, being reprimanded in front of others is itself a major source of shame, and forcing an apology in that situation can damage the relationship of trust, so care is needed.

Apology Cultures Around the World ④: How to Work Well with Vietnamese Employees

We also explain in detail why Vietnamese people may not apologize in “Why Don’t Vietnamese People Apologize?.” From here, we focus on Vietnamese employees—who are especially common among those accepted by Japanese companies—and introduce concrete communication methods.

A Face Culture Lies Behind Why Vietnamese People May Not Apologize

In Vietnamese society, “face” occupies a very important place in human relationships. Vietnamese also has “xin lỗi” (an apology expression meaning “to ask forgiveness for a mistake”), but apologizing in front of others in particular tends to be seen as an act that greatly damages one’s own face. For that reason, even when someone understands they are at fault, situations easily arise in which they cannot apologize frankly in front of colleagues or juniors. It is important to understand this not as a sign of dishonesty, but as behavior based on Vietnamese social norms. For more on Vietnamese face culture and communication traits, see also “What Are the Traits of Vietnamese People? Personality and National Character by Region.”

Before Blaming, Take a Stance of Checking the Cause Together

When a Vietnamese employee makes a mistake, rather than pressing them with “Why won’t you apologize?,” we recommend approaching with the stance “Let’s check together what happened.” Confirming the facts calmly in a private room or one-on-one setting makes it easier for the person to organize the situation. In practice, many Vietnamese employees spontaneously say “I’m sorry” once the cause becomes clear. What matters is not extracting an apology, but prioritizing constructive conversation aimed at preventing the problem from recurring.

Once Trust Is Built, the Barrier to Apology Naturally Lowers

Vietnamese people tend to become more expressive with those they trust. When everyday greetings and recognition of their work shorten the psychological distance, they may come to say “I’m sorry” frankly when they make a mistake. On the other hand, demanding an apology before trust has been built can lead to a defensive attitude. For that reason, first building a foundation of trust through everyday communication is the best way to lower the barrier to apology over time. For concrete techniques on building trust with Vietnamese employees, see “How to Interact with Vietnamese Employees | Workplace Manners and Communication Skills.”

Conclusion

Comparing apology cultures around the world shows that Japan is a “country that apologizes too much,” and that in many countries presenting solutions is valued more highly than apology as an expression of sincerity. When foreign employees appear not to apologize, the background includes differences in cultural values, linguistic difficulty, and differing perceptions related to face and organizational culture.

Especially when working with Vietnamese employees, keeping face in mind and taking a stance of checking causes together rather than blaming will be a shortcut to building trust. Practices such as separating reporting from apology, ensuring psychological safety, and holding regular one-on-ones should improve communication across the whole team, regardless of nationality. Treating cultural differences not as barriers but as opportunities to deepen mutual understanding is the first step toward building a stronger organization.