In Japan, you will see tons of bowing. Whether you’re greeting, welcome, thanking or apologizing, this gesture signifies humility, politeness and respect. In fact, the depth of your bow correlates with the level of respect you wish to convey. That means if you are interacting with someone who is senior to you in terms of age, job level or social status, it is customary to bow lower than they do as a sign of deference.
For everyday greetings or casual encounters, a slight bow is sufficient to express politeness.
