Dear Mrs. Winkiebear,



A great deal will depend on how "westernized" your japanese visitors are.  If they have made a great many trips to the US, they will react differently than if the US is a new environment.



First, Handshakes, unless initiated by the Japanese visitors are considered "unseemly", some japanese business travellers have learned the custom, but largely, its a Western concept and ignored by them.  



Also it IS expected that you bow, IF your visitor bows to you first, not to do so is rude.  The Japanese bow is an elaborate and formal concept, and what appears to be a breif, illthought out thing, is in reality a very formal way to establish pecking order.  IF your boss is bowed to first, he should return the bow, making his VERY slightly lower than the one he was given, if no bow is initiated by your Japnaese visitors then follow their lead.



Also when you think about gifts know that the Japanese view gift giving as a ritual and that you don't have to spend lots ot make an impression.  For instance many Japanese business men are coffee afficiandos.   (coffee is very expensive in Japan and a VERY nice gourmet basket would be a wonderful gift and seen by your visitors as VERY extravagant.  It may be good to have them sent to the hotel with a note from your boss of welcome to your city.  And then to follow up with something more personalized such as something reminicent of the city as was recommended earlier in another posting.  ALso be aware that in most cases, your Japanese visitors will feel duty bound to return your gift in kind, to do less is a mark of dishonor, unless your visitors are very westerized.



Good manners are probably the most important thing you can use to impress Japanese visitors, keeping your speaking voice well modulated, and I know all the ladies out there are going to slam me for this, but Women in particular should be very careful not to touch or offer their hand for shaking unless the visitor initiates it.



The first time we had Japanese Ad people in our offices, there was general confusion as MY bosses all bowed and the Japanese stuck out their hands awkwardly for shaking.  Turns out the Visitors had been studying as hard on their side of the ocean as we had on ours on the correct thing to do!