Japanese saws, called nokogiri, cut on the pull stroke, while most traditional European and American saws cut on the push stroke. Because pulling keeps the blade in tension instead of compressing it, Japanese saws can use much thinner blades, which leave a narrower cut (kerf) and allow fine, precise joinery.
Common types include the ryoba, with crosscut teeth on one edge and rip teeth on the other, and the dozuki, which has a stiffening spine for very fine joinery cuts. Pull saws in this style are now made and sold worldwide.
Source: Japanese saw, Wikipedia