I found an interesting article in Wikipedia about how the Japanese use business cards. In Japan, a meishi is a business card.
The presentation of meishi differs slightly from the western approach, in that it is a formal and standardized procedure.
A person is expected to present a business card upon meeting a new business partner. Business cards are kept in a leather case where they will not become warm or worn, both of which would be considered a sign of disrespect or thoughtlessness. The presenter holds the business card out with both hands and introduces him or herself by affiliation, position, and name. The card should be held at the bottom two corners using both hands, face up and turned so that it can be read by the person receiving the business card.
When receiving a business card, one should hold it at the top two corners using both hands. Placing one’s fingers over the name or other information is considered rude. Upon receiving the business card, one is expected to read the card over, noting name and rank, then thank the presenter saying “choudai-itashimasu” or “choudaishimasu”, and bow. A received business card should not be written on or placed in a pocket; it is considered proper to file the business card at the rear of the leather case. When meishi are being exchanged between parties with different status, such as between the president of a company and someone in middle management, it is proper that the person of lower status extend his or her business card so that it goes under or is at a lower level than that of the person in a high position. If the meishi is being presented at a table, the meishi you received is kept on top of your leather case while you talk. If several people are involved in the meeting and you have several meishi, the one with the highest rank is kept on the leather case, and the others beside on the table.
Given that the manner in which the recipient treats the presenter’s meishi is indicative of how the recipient will treat the presenter, thoughtless actions such as deliberately folding the business card in half, or placing the presenter’s meishi in one’s back pocket, are regarded as insults.
