homework

Differences and Similarities

(Japan)

Historical Background

Located several thousand miles off the coast of mainland Asia, is an archipelago of islands which make up Japan. Stretching 1900 miles along the Ring of Fire, from northeast to southwest, as a result of centuries of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The archipelago is made up of four main islands; Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku (Craig). The Jomon and Ainu were the first settlers of Japan, immigrants from mainland Asia and Siberia (“Japan,” 2014). Influenced by their Chinese neighbors, the Japanese explained the history of their emperor and his rise to power through mythology. The story speaks of the sun goddess Amaterasu who gifts her grandson, Prince Ninigi, the islands of Japan and from whom all the emperors are descendants from, starting with Emperor Jimmu Tenno (Craig).

During the 12th century, in 1185, the emperor was dethroned by its own powerful Samurai lords, known as Shogun, who ruled with might and in the name of the emperor until 1868 (Szczepanski). During this time period the first Europeans arrive in 1543, and in 1633 the sakoku policy was enacted by the Shogun; it kept foreigners out of their land for over 200 years on penalty of death (Hackney). It took American Matthew Perry and his fleet of “Black Ships” two years to negotiate a trade agreement with Japan which opened the doors to commerce (Hackney). In 1868 the Samurai were overthrown and the power was returned to the emperor who led the country to an age of industrialization and modernization (Szczepanski). An increase in its military force during the 1920s was due to the recession after WWI combined with assassination attempts of the emperor, attempted coups d’état and terrorist violence; culminating with the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1935 (Hackney). After its attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and until their surrender in August 1945; Japan and the United States engaged in battle during WWII. Their surrender brought an end to an era of imperial and military rule, switching to a parliamentary democracy (Szczepanski).

Communication Styles

Japan houses almost half the population of the Unite States in a piece of land the size of California, making Japanese the sixth most popular spoken language in the world (Pollitt). Like many things about Japan its language was also influenced by its neighbor, China. Chinese characters were introduced around 500 AD which resulted in several versions of written Japanese; hiragana and katakana is first introduced to children, then kanji, and last is romaji (Craig). Kanji is the most popular form of written Japanese written from top to bottom, beginning on the right side; romaji is a form of writing Japanese using the Roman alphabet (Craig). Linguistics believe that Japanese is related to Korean, Manchurian, and Mongolian which resulted in dozens of different dialects spoken within the country (Craig). The different and unintelligible dialects within are due largely to the pitch accents, vocabularies, and inflectional morphology (Craig). A curious thing to keep in mind, while Japan has done a lot of work to close gender gaps, while speaking women are expected to use a more polite and formal form that implies respect and adherence of the establish patriarchy (“Japan”).

Body language is another important form of communication for the Japanese that usually goes unnoticed by foreigners. They are a high context culture in which words don’t hold as much value as actions. Direct eye contact is not welcomed, it’s considered rude and intrusive (Seifi, 2016). Good posture is important, however, sitting with extremities outspread, it is perceived as a sign of overconfidence and arrogance (Seifi, 2016). Another interesting aspect of communication in Japan is silence; while in the States an awkward silence can be very uncomfortable in Japan it can mean any human emotion. Silence is “there for you when you don’t have anything particular to say” (Seifi, 2016).

Beliefs

Japan is largely a secular nation that grants its citizens the freedom to practice any religion. Among its citizens it is said that “people are born Shinto, get married Christian and die Buddhist”

(“Shinto, Buddhism and the Japanese Belief System”). Shinto and Buddhism are the primary religions of the nation. Shinto is the native Japanese religion; it believes that everything in nature has a god (kami), and each kami personifies a force of nature (Craig). Buddhism was introduced to Japan by China during the 6th century (“Shinto, Buddhism and the Japanese Belief System”). It resulted in several sects that appealed to the different classes of society laying the ground work for the different ways life. For example; the concept of rebirth and karma, enlightenment through meditation and a strict life-style, as well as hard work and delayed rewards (“Religion and Philosophical Traditions”). Along with these religions some Japanese also believe in luck, fate, and superstitions (“Shinto, Buddhism and the Japanese belief system”).

Society Structure

Due in part to the separation from the rest of the world and the internal turmoil, it took Japan a while to create a sense of unity from its citizens. Today, Japan is considered one of the most homogeneous nations in the world, with as little as five percent of the population being a minority; Korean, Chinese, Ainu, as well as Southeast Asia, Latin America and Middle East immigrants (“Japan”). Japan is also a nation that thrives in collectivistic communities; it has been and continues to be the basis for a lot of the structures in their society.

After WWII things changed drastically for the nation and forced them to adapt to new ideas. It forced a shift in the way the country was run. In 1946, after it surrendered to the Allied forces, Emperor Hirohito addressed the nation and renounced his status as a divine ruler (“Japan”). A new constitution was drafter in which it granted more rights to its citizens, not just the males; gender equality, suffrage to all adult citizens, and a symbolic role as head of state for the emperor where among the new constitutional rights (“Social Organization”). Another controversial part of the constitution is Article 9, “No War” clause; in it is stated that “the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of forces as a means of settling international disputes,” and that “land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential will never be maintained,” (“Japan”). The government has been divided into the emperor as the head of state, the Diet (parliament) which is divided in two; the House of Councilors and the House of Representatives (“Japan”).

But the government is not the only thing that changed, society also changed yet managed to maintain some of its old mentality about other topics. While much has been done for gender equality, some ritual context continues to resist the transformation; to this day women are still excluded from sumo wrestling rings (“Japan”). Also, salary, education, employment, and career advancement remains a glass ceiling that need to be shattered (“Japan”). It seems that even after all these achievements for equality the patriarchy and male biased is still alive and strong.

Family dynamics have also been influenced by all the changes. For starters marriages were once arranged by the parents or elders; now people have a more Western approach to it, it is based on mutual attractions between the people involved (“Japan”). In the past, the word family referred to three-generation households, a line of descent, or a household unit; which included everyone that lived in that house (“Social Organization”). With the move from rural to urban dwellings family now refers to nuclear family (parents and children), single-person households, and even couple-only living (“Japan”). Child-rearing is still a “mother’s task,” with the father’s involvement being very minimal if any, except for Sundays when most fathers are off work and can spend time with their wife and children (“Social Organization”). Another task that is exclusive to a “professional housewife” is to maintain social relations with everyone else in the family (extended family), as well as the community while managing the family’s reputation and ensuring the careers and marriages of the children and everything else that entails to be a professional housewife (“Social Organization”).

Reasons for Codes of Cultural Behavior

Do bow when meeting someone. If a Japanese person bows to you, an incline of the head in return will usually suffice. The depth, duration and number of bows is something foreigners aren’t expect to understand and are likely to offend the natives if not done perfectly (Walker, 2015). Reason: Japan was, and continues to be a hierarchical society; this means that they emphasize the importance of an individual in any number of ways, gender and age being the most valued to a masculine oriented society. This led to the long practice of bowing as a sign of respect for someone else.
Do burp and slurp. It’s standard practice to slurp them. Slurping noodles is a sign of enjoyment of the meal (McInerney, 2016). Reason: As a nation of many rituals Japan is a very particularistic culture; this means that they put a big emphasis on specific situations, patterns, and interactions with very particular rules. In this case burping and slurping is a sign of enjoyment and satisfaction of a delicious meal. This behavior is seen everywhere you go where people are eating noodles; a sign of a collateral society in which the individual is expected to follow the social order.
Do take your shoes off when entering a home or temple and wear the provided slippers. This also include toilet slippers; however, ensure that your barefeet do not touch the floor. Barefeet or socks are only allowed on tatami (straw mats) (“Behavior and Manners,” n.d.). Reason: In linear cultures it is expected to follow rules and the authority, and when you find yourself visiting someone’s house they are the authority. Removing your shoes at the entrance is a sign of this respect, as is traditional in Japan. It is also a form of formal interaction, this means that most individuals follow rules of social etiquette.
Do bring a gift. It is considered rude when visiting a Japanese home to not bring a little souvenir from your city; something as small as a keychain or candy unique to your home country (“Japan Travel Tips - DOs and DONTs,” 2011). Reason: Japan is a high-context culture, this means that rules are not expressed directly and that others are expected to be aware of them. In this way it is consider customary to bring a gift from your home country/city, especially if you are invited as a guest to someone’s home.
Do show up on time. Punctuality means showing up to your destination five to ten minutes early (Society, N. G., n.d.). Reason: The majority of Japan’s values extend from a past time, this means that the culture is traditional oriented in most behavior specially in regards to religious practices. However, when conducting business or making plans with their friends Japanese are monochromic. This means that they believe in task, timed schedules, and procedures. This is also normal behavior in a highly collectivistic society which emphasizes the group’s needs and expects loyalty within its members.

Don’t

Do not introduce yourself or extend your hand out first. It is considered impolite, it’s better to wait and be introduced (“Cultural Norms and Traditions in Japan,” n.d.) and wait for the other person to extend their hand out to you to be shaken (Walker, 2015). Reason: As part of a formal interaction in which social etiquette rules must be followed one must not introduce himself, it’s part of the many high-context unspoken rules of this society has.
Do not call attention to yourself. Avoid blowing your nose in public, eating on the go, and speaking on your cell phone in crowded public areas (Wright, 2008).Reason: The West has always been viewed negatively and calling attention has that same connotation of an individualistic person. Japan is a high uncertain avoidance society, this means that they avoid conflict, disapprove competition and don’t tolerate deviant behavior such as calling attention to yourself. This behavior is seen as an external directed which motivates individual to deviate from the standard.
Japanese “Face.” Do not openly criticize, insult, or put anyone on-the-spot. Japan is a collectivistic society, by singling out an individual person, he/she is losing respect (face) in front of their peers (Barton, 2016). Reason: As a highly collectivistic culture a great emphasis is place on the group goals and needs and by signaling an individual out from a group you are placing their individuals needs above the groups’. Another reason for not signaling out an individual is that respect is an ascription quality; this means that it is inherited, usually in the sense that an individual is part of a “respectable family.”
Do not rush onboard. Unlike in NYC, in Japan people patiently wait in orderly lines to board trains (Walker, 2015). Reason: As a collective oriented society Japan worried about the well-being of other and by not rushing onboard the subway and instead waiting patiently they are giving those individuals the respect they deserve while being a part of the social order in a collateral culture.
Do not tip. Leaving a tip is rude and the server might perceive that as an insult (“Do’s & Don’ts When Visiting Japan,” 2015). Reason: Another rule when eating at a restaurant is to not tip. As part of the linear culture it is the host’s pleasure to serve a guest and by tipping you are taking that pleasure from them. It’s one of many of the particularistic rules that are specific to eating at restaurants.

References:

Barton, E. (2016, August 23). Capital - Why you don't give praise in Japan. Retrieved July 09, 2017, from http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20160822-why-you-dont-give-praise-in-japan

Behavior and Manners. (n.d.). Retrieved July 09, 2017, from http://www.kcpstudentlife.com/culture/behavior-and-manners/

Craig, A. M. (Ed.). (n.d.). Fast Facts: Japan. Retrieved July 28, 2017, from https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/fast-facts-japan/

Cultural Norms and Traditions in Japan - Japan. (n.d.). Retrieved July 09, 2017, from https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/japan/moving/country-file/culture

Do's & Don'ts When Visiting Japan. (2015, March 31). Retrieved July 09, 2017, from http://travelplaces.co.uk/news/2015/dos-donts-when-visiting-japan

Hackney, G. (n.d.). Tokyo Odaiba. Retrieved July 28, 2017, from http://www.facts-about-japan.com/brief-history.html

Hackney, G. (n.d.). Tokyo Odaiba. Retrieved July 29, 2017, from http://www.facts-about-japan.com/language.html

Japan. (n.d.). Retrieved July 29, 2017, from http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Japan.html

Japan. (2014, March 21). Retrieved July 28, 2017, from http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/countries/japan/#japan-gardens.jpg

Japan Travel Tips – DOs and DONTs. (2011, January 25). Retrieved July 09, 2017, from http://www.traveltaboo.com/japan-travel-tips-dos-and-donts/

McInerney, P. (2016, April 26). 25 Do's and Don'ts in Japan. Retrieved July 09, 2017, from https://www.contentedtraveller.com/25-dos-and-dont-in-japan/

Pollitt, D. (n.d.). Japanese Verbal Communication. Retrieved July 28, 2017, from http://peopleof.oureverydaylife.com/japanese-verbal-communication-9480.html

Seifi, P. (2016, December 19). Japanese body language and gestures. Retrieved July 29, 2017, from https://www.lingualift.com/blog/japanese-body-language-gestures/

Shinto, Buddhism and the Japanese belief system. (n.d.). Retrieved July 29, 2017, from https://www.insidejapantours.com/japanese-culture/religion/

Social Organization. (n.d.). Retrieved July 29, 2017, from http://countrystudies.us/japan/68.htm

Society, N. G. (n.d.). Tokyo Cultural Tips -- National Geographic's Ultimate City Guides. Retrieved July 09, 2017, from http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/tokyo-cultural-tips/

Szczepanski, K. (n.d.). Facts to Know About Japan. Retrieved July 28, 2017, from https://www.thoughtco.com/japan-facts-and-history-195581

Walker, B. (2013, June). Japan dos and don'ts: etiquette tips for first-time travellers. Retrieved July 09, 2017, from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/travel-tips-and-articles/japan-dos-and-donts-etiquette-tips-for-first-time-travellers/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d277bb35

Wright, T. (2008, July 14). 10 customs you must know before a trip to Japan. Retrieved July 09, 2017, from https://matadornetwork.com/abroad/10-japanese-customs-you-must-know-before-a-trip-to-japan/