1. Preparing for drinks
お酒の席
If you are a new employee, don't start drinking before the people around you. Also, at a drinking party (banquet), people do not drink until they have finished saying “cheers”.
Before a toast can be said, everyone must have a glass with a drink in their hands. Also, you will see people around you actively filling other people's glasses with drinks. Be proactive and make sure that the people at the table have drinks in their glasses.

2. After cheers
乾杯の後
If you've already run out of drinks and the glasses of people around you are empty, immediately bring them the same drink they wanted and ask, おつぎしましょうか？ (“Would you like to drink?”). In return, they will also fill your glass with a drink. At that time, enjoy the conversation at the drinking table.

3. How to proceed with drinking
すすめ方
In Japan, there is a rule that when drinking alcohol, you should ask someone else to serve it to you お酌. For this reason, it has become customary to pay attention to the people around you and offer a drink to someone whose glass is empty. Instead of enjoying alcohol alone, you can enjoy it with the people around you. When serving sake, hold the bottle or can with both hands, while your partner is holding the glass, and pour it.

4. Can't drink alcohol
飲めない
If you can't drink alcohol, be sure to politely let the other person know that you can't drink. You shouldn't be forced to drink it. Please feel free to decline for religious or any other reasons. You may opt for soft drinks instead.
By the way, in Japan, by law, you cannot drink alcohol unless you are 20 years old or older. Driving after drinking alcohol is also a serious violation of the law.
There are many drinks that look like alcohol, but they don't contain alcohol, so they are safe.
It is good to drink alcohol to relax, but be careful not to drink too much. If you end up saying something you shouldn't, you could end up ruining your relationship.

5.After-party
二次会など
In Japan, the first meeting for drinks is called 一次会. Then at the second meeting 二次会 Japanese often go to another bar. In addition, there are cases where people continue drinking at 三次会 and 四次会. This is called はしご酒 (bar-hopping). Next parties are not necessarily just drinking and walking around, you may also do karaoke or eat ramen at the end. Usually parties are finished after the first meeting, so you can participate according to your own physical condition and convenience. If you don't want to continue, you can just say 今日はこれで失礼します and leave. It is rude to leave without saying anything in the middle.

Do you drink alcohol with the Japanese? Share your experience in the comments!

Picture link:
https://www.oenon.jp/enjoy/shitamachi/izakayamanga01.html