Navigating Japanese Culture

The culture in Japan is very different from our American culture.  When vacationing, or living in the country as a foreigner, the difference in culture creates varying obstacles.  Given that in today's age, technology and business have made it very easy to plan a vacation almost anywhere in the world, I think that it would be relatively easy to take a vacation to Japan.  There are many different companies that can help plan vacations with plane tickets, hotel fares and travel planning.  That being said, even on a vacation there are some obvious obstacles, such as verbal/body language differences, living situations, and transportation challenges.  Even though there are obstacles, on a vacation they are easy to temporarily navigate because oftentimes, areas that are high in tourism will cater to foreigners and make things easier.  Some examples of this can be having signs written in both English and Japanese, or the hotel living may be more similar to the average American hotel wit

 The education system in Japan is characterized by a combination of compulsory and optional education. Compulsory education is free to the public and requires that all children attend.  The compulsory education consists of nine years, six years for elementary school and three more for secondary education.  Public education is generally free at the compulsory level, and there is universal access to elementary and lower secondary education. In addition to public schools, there are private schools at both the elementary and secondary levels, but they often require tuition fees. The general school day looks similar to an American school day except for a few nuances. “Public schools in Japan have classes five days a week, from Monday to Friday” much like American schools, however “there are also schools that have classes on Saturday” (JNTO).  Regarding junior high and high school, students typically have six class periods each day that each last about an hour.  The school calendar is base

 Japan's healthcare belief systems are made up of a combination of traditional Japanese philosophies and modern Western medicine, “nonetheless, there has been a recent shift from collectivism to individualism due to changes in the social structure”(Takimoto, 2022). The most common perspectives revolve around overall well-being and the balance of bodily functions. One prevalent concept is the belief in "ki" or life energy, derived from traditional Japanese medicine. Maintaining the balance of ki is seen as crucial for good health, and practices such as acupuncture and herbal medicine are embraced to achieve this harmony. Additionally, the influence of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs is evident in the emphasis on preventive care and the interconnectedness of mind and body. “The dominant faiths in Japan are Shintoism and Buddhism and most Japanese believe in both”(Blanch, 2018). Many Japanese people approach healthcare with a proactive mindset, focusing on lifestyle choices and

The heart of Japanese business culture is rooted in attention to detail and respect.  These values are best shown by fully understanding the etiquette, and culture of the people.  First impressions are very important at any level of business and greetings play a large part in the first impression. In Japan, greetings are an art form. A polite bow is the customary way to greet someone. The angle and duration “varies depending on the context and social relationship between the two parties”(Scroope, 2021). When meeting someone for the first time, a slight bow is appropriate. A deeper bow may be reserved for more formal occasions or to show increased respect. “However, when meeting with foreigners in a business context, Japanese may choose to shake hands”(Scroope, 2021) Small talk is essential in Japan to establish rapport before diving into business matters. However, it is important to steer clear of overly personal or direct questions. Discussing neutral topics like weather or sports c

Nonverbal language is a very large aspect of all cultures' communication.  It can be seen as body language, personal space, eye contact and many other ways not including verbal communication.  In general, nonverbal communication happens during any interaction while some sort of communication is taking place, whether verbal or not.  The ability to understand nonverbal communication within other cultures is paramount in all settings for a number of reasons. The most important reason is because nonverbal language makes for effective communication; different cultures have unique nonverbal norms, and misinterpreting these cues can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, or even offense. Understanding these cues helps one convey messages accurately and receive messages correctly.  This can additionally help build trust because a good understanding of nonverbal communication shows that the individual puts respect and value into the other cultures' way of communication.  Another r

 Japanese culture is rich and diverse, and its linguistic landscape reflects this diversity. While the primary language spoken in Japan is, of course, Japanese (Hyojungo), there are a few other languages present that have played significant roles in shaping Japan’s culture and history as a whole. Japanese is the most widely spoken language in Japan and acts as the heart of the nation's identity. It's a language that encapsulates the detailed nature of Japanese culture while expressing and a reverence for politeness and formality. Its unique writing systems - Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana - are three alphabets adapted from Chinese and other local areas that are all used for Japanese communication in different surroundings. Another language that has a presence in Japan is the Okinawan language along with the rest of the Ryukyuan dialects, which are spoken in the Ryukyu Islands. These languages have influenced Japanese culture through traditional Okinawan, music and dance, and con

Japan possesses a worldview that is centered around spiritualism and cultural practices.  There may not be one specific worldview or religion that is homogeneous to the country, however, the dominant worldview can be generalized as a harmonious mixture of polytheism, spirituality, and pragmatic problem solving. At the core of the Japanese worldview lies an innate respect for nature and a sense of interconnectedness, or harmony with the universe.  These aspects can be traced back to traditional Japanese religions and traditions beginning with “Shinto, the only indigenous religion of Japan, providing the base” (U.S.L.C).  Other beliefs from neighboring countries had an influence on the Japanese worldview as well; “Confucianism, from China, provided concepts of hierarchy, loyalty, and the emperor as the son of heaven.” and “Buddhism brought with it not only its contemplative religious aspects but also a developed culture of art and temples, which had a considerable role in public life”

  T he first event to discuss is during the period of 1914-1918. World War I was happening at the  time and Japan was allied with the U.S and Great Britain at the time. At the end of the world, Japan was much better off politically and economically. Because of this, the government and citizens of Japan most likely thought of the U.S and Great Britain as powerful allies. At this time, citizens may have treated traveling Americans in a kinder way simply based on their belief that the U.S was a powerful allied nation. The next event is the attack from Japan on the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. During this event, in 1941, Japan was not allied with the U.S. The Japanese citizens and government likely took on lasting grudges because of how the country was being affected. At this time, some travel may have been cut off between the areas and the attitudes towards each other would be untrusting. In conjunction with this event are the U.S bombings on Japan in Hiroshima (6 August),

  In Japanese culture, family is very important because it serves as the center of social stability and cultural preservation.  “An individual’s identity, reputation, obligations and responsibilities are deeply connected to their family” (Scroope, 2021). Since Japan has a collectivist culture, important decisions and life choices are not made without consulting the family first.  Generally, the choices people make are aimed to benefit the whole of the family that someone belongs to.  The traditional Japanese family unit is called “Kazoku” and usually consists of a multi-generational household with a patriarchal head. This arrangement facilitates financial support, childcare, and the passing down of economic responsibilities.  Traditionally, families are expected to produce heirs to carry on the family name and maintain ancestral ties. This further creates a sense of unity, where familial success is shared and celebrated communally. Socialization within the family serves as a tool for

Why Japan? The culture that I chose to study for the blog project is Japanese culture.  I chose Japanese culture because I have lots of personal interest in the culture and traditions, however I do not know much about the culture itself.  I think that this deep dive experience will be a fun and interesting journey to expand my knowledge and help me better understand our cultural differences.  It will also help boost my confidence in communication when I am speaking to both someone who belongs to Japanese culture and people of all cultures. One of the defining features of Japanese culture is its emphasis on harmony; “the group harmony of Japanese society applies in daily life, sports, and the workplace” (Himanshu). Whether in the art of tea ceremonies, the precise movements of traditional dance, or the aesthetics of architecture, the pursuit of balance and unity is constantly pursued. Traditional Japanese arts such as flower arranging, and calligraphy reflect this by showcasing at