It is required for their business associations, but some salaried men like me consider playing golf with business clients as a way of reception an ill custom.
Golf is very popular in Japan.
More than ten million Japanese play golf, and we have more than 1,500 golf courses. It is becoming the most popular sport among male salaried workers in urban areas. They enjoy it for the same reasons westerners do. You can play it well past middle age, and it's a good way to entertain business associates and clients. In Japan, playing golf is a must, particularly for businessmen.