Japanese Culture In Japan

Japans society is a culture that is highly resistant to change; a society that places a high value on each member’s conformity within highly structured layers of Japanese society. Japan is an island nation, consisting of the four large islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. Together they are approximately the size of Germany or the State of California, and it has a population of approximately 126 million people Japan has a large population in relation to its land mass and as a consequence most Japanese people live crowded together in an urban corridor squeezed along the eastern edge of the Japanese islands. A result of this crowding is that Japanese place a high value on public harmony and the avoidance of any conflict, especially in public. Japanese norms require people to be willing to apologize and humble themselves, so much so that even after a minor auto accident each driver will jump out of their vehicle and bow to each other and apologize, instead of risking a very public confrontation. Frequently, Japanese will also employ the use of a go-between to negotiate a possible marriage. In this way, an individual can turn down a bride or groom without rejecting them to their face, thereby avoiding open disagreement or embarrassment of an individual. The Japanese culture is one that is rich within an historical and traditional context. Many of the traditional practices established hundreds of years ago can be seen today in modern Japan and are a direct reflection

Often in America, the public is educated about the victories of the nation, such as in World War II (WWII); however, they are unaware of the after effects it imposed onto other parties (enemy nations). Specifically, Japanese people lost their defenses, and the lifestyles of the citizens were significantly modified. Moreover, Japan was part of the Axis powers during the war and gained worldwide attention when the island attacked Pearl Harbor, a United States Naval base. This event caused the Americans to join the battle and eventually overwhelm the Japanese and forcing a surrender in 1945. Post WWII, Japan’s failure in the war was responsible for a cultural change in the country that is still present in modern day, which led to reform in family dynamics, mentality adjustments, and perceptional alteration of women. Also, whether young or old, all were exposed to this change, and those that lived in family styled households together, were the first to experience their relationships shift.

The fact that Japan is a mountainous country has had made a significant impact on the Japanese culture throughout history. The landscape of Japan has influenced the development of its society and has contributed to the culture in many ways. Although the topography of Japan is mostly covered with volcanic mountains and has constrained the farming land, it has suitable land with extremely fertile soil and high productivity. The land has contributed to the development of agriculture and has aided the farmers in cultivating the food. Under favorable environment condition and the beautiful landscape Japanese farmer was able to provide food by hunting, fishing, or though agriculture. The landscape has also influenced the culture in innovating something

Yasumasa Morimura was born in Osaka, Japan 1951; before the end of the American Occupation and during the Korean War. It was at this time in Japan that society had become increasingly modernized and influenced by western culture. Subsequently, the foreign influence of Japan’s culture affected their culture, politics and education. With a westernized curriculum, much of the education focused on occident values, ideas, and art. Despite Japan’s rich history, much of the art history that was taught had originated from western culture.

People no longer use the term “Japanese American” in today's society. Instead, they are no longer thought as a separate group and are incorrectly categorized as “Asian American”, along with Vietnamese American, Chinese American, etc. Japanese Americans have an extremely unique background in terms of their origins, history, and struggle with racialization. Like many ethnic groups, Japanese Americans have been subjected to many different portrayals throughout American history. Even though cultural separation and suspicion are deemed as immoral, such practices toward them were thought to be necessary by the American Government. For a good amount of time, they suffered from racial hostility and violence. Now, in an age where cultural diversity

After the Meiji restoration, the West was taken as a supreme ideal for nearly every aspect of Japanese life. In fact it has become alarmingly difficult to differentiate the original cultural Japanese life and the Westernised Japanese way of life (‘A History of Modern Japan’, p13). The assimilation of Western ideas has largely been a negative transition, through the establishment of unreasonable treaties. However, according to historical events and accounts, it is evident that continued Western influence and interference between 1853-1941, led Japan to become a more aggressive nation.

This paper provided an opportunity to take a deeper look into the country of Japan by conducting a Global Cultural Analysis. Throughout this paper the following four research areas were explored: 1.What is the major elements and dimensions of culture in Japan? 2. How are these elements and dimensions integrated by locals conducting business in Japan? 3. How does U.S. culture and business compare with the elements and dimensions of culture integrated by the locals conducting business in Japan? 4. What are the implications for U.S. businesses that wish to conduct business with Japan?

Our group has selected Northern Japanese (Hokkaido) society as our target culture. Japan is a country that known for having a highly homogeneous society, but different region has their own significance in social and cultural patterns. Indigenous Ainu people and their cultural has been home in this region for a long time. They keep their own ways of life and did not assimilate into other regional culture pattern in Japan. Ainu defined as human. They used to pray and perform ceremonies for their gods include nature god, animal god, and more. The Fishing is one of the activity they do for their living and most of the villages were located near the sea or river.

The culture and society of Japan consists of many similar ideas to the foundation that the Western civilization was built upon. Influences that have impacted Japan include; industrialization, continued modernization, and the shift toward a democratic political government. Even with both societies being founded on identical concepts, the major differences are the way the society functions. Japan has been heavily influenced by both China and America and has made their own culture by combining these ideas along with their own traditional ideals. Just as any other country, Japan is no stranger to gender roles, gender stereotypes, and workplace inequalities and the ideas Japan was built upon plays a big role in the way all of these forms of discrimination

Japan is a high context culture. Mainly considered a homogenous society, there are still significant variations in the regional social and cultural patterns. Personality traits are attributed to certain regions. Local culture such as cuisine and dialects express the regional identities of the Japanese who take pride in their place of birth.

First, however, understanding the socio-political climate of Heian Japan is important, particularly in how it pertains to the women of the noble class. The Japanese first began to develop a personalized identity, separate from China soon after the Capital was moved from Nara to Heian-kyo, what is now modern day Kyoto, in 794. Prior to this period, the Japanese observed Chinese customs and cultural nuances in all aspects of their life. They traveled back and forth from the island to the continent, wore Chinese styled clothing, Buddhism was followed, Tendai and Shingon being primary and both out of China, and much of custom and protocol was both the written and spoken word were Chinese. (See Appendix A for Periods of Japanese History)

Q 1: B) Those that belong to the Japanese culture are demonstrated by the interdependent view, compared to Western cultures which are embody an independent view. Individuals that affiliate themselves as interdependent, their actions and emotions is influenced by their social situation and surroundings. ‘We suggest that for many cultures of the world, the Western notion of the self as an entity containing significant dispositional attributes, and as detached from context, is simply not an adequate description of selfhood. Rather, in many construals, the self is viewed as interdependent with the surrounding context, and it is the “other” or the “self-in-relation-to-other” that is focal in individual experience.” (Markus & Kitayama, 1991, pg. 225). They are more likely to express and display their actions and emotions based on the reactions of others, or how others around them are behaving. In sum, they are connected with social context, as their statuses, roles, and relationships are external. The Japanese are known to be the most humane, when in the context of other people. (Lebra, 1976, as cited in Markus & Kitayama, 1991). They promote other people’s goals and belong and fit in with their social groups, instead of being “unique.” They’re relationships with over individuals, in particular situations, define themselves. Independent individuals are more unique and direct, whereas interdependent individuals are not. (Markus & Kitayama, 1991).

Progress in east Asia has seen many phases and inspirations but as in any sort of progress of one group, there is exploitation of another. Japan, specifically, began as a very isolated and nationalistic country but gradually opened up to western trade and developed as a country through international interactions. Japan progressed as a country through trading and conflict between themselves and outside countries from North America, Europe and other parts of East Asia.

Japan is located on an island in Asia. Japan has a very interesting and intriguing culture. Everything, from education to even how Japanese people greet each other. People in Japan are very proper compared to other countries. Their houses are very different from one’s in the United States from when you even enter the house to when you leave. This is the research I’ve found on my county and I hope you enjoy all the cool facts and customs.

The History of Japan plays a big factor in understanding its culture. Japan is located in Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula. Japan has many concerning natural hazardous features as well as environmental problems that effects agriculture as well as economy and population. Japan’s government and civil law system reflect those of German and Anglo-American structures. Learning about the people and society of Japan can be easily accomplished by understanding their religious structure, social structure, languages they speak and interest they uphold.