HM differs from other concepts of the so-called honorific systems, such as politeness, terms of speech and honorifics, in that it is communication-oriented and layered. Its function is not to 'make messages polite', which is explained in contrast to the MMMP (machine for making messages polite) model. The validity of the approach based on the HM concept is described in terms of the layered model of communication with the use of examples from contemporary Japanese. The description covers not only the protocol sub-layer of the layered model of communication with such aspects of traditional approach to honorifics as the notion of politeness ('overpoliteness') and an asymmetry of potential, but also the procedure sub-layer modification (direct and indirect expressions and fixed procedures). The HM approach is meant to overcome the grammatical (superficial) demonstration of honorifics in order to achieve a description of a communication process directed both at exchanging information and managing communicational environment parameters. HM requires constant (i.e. affecting all messages) activity of the speaker and addressee, which may be described in terms of fulfilling specific requirements (assuring correct parameters) on subsequent layers of the layered model of communication in order to deliver a message to the addressee in a proper and expected manner.