Worldview

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” (U.S.L.C).  Lastly, “Christianity brought an infusion of Western ideas, particularly those involving social justice and reform” which have contributed to the modern-day worldview.

Ethics in Japanese culture is often guided
by Confucian principles emphasizing loyalty, and respect for authority. These values are embedded in societal norms, influencing personal and social relationships, business practices, and even political structures.

When contemplating ideas about death, the Japanese worldview has a cyclical perspective that is influenced by Buddhist concepts of reincarnation. “From the Buddhist perspective, life and death are two phases of a continuum. Life does not begin at birth nor end at death” (SGI, 2015).  This perspective influences the way that citizens in Japan make decisions and live their lives; it allows the collectivist orientation to thrive because the life of the individual is never beginning or ending.

The overall worldview of Japanese culture can be described as homogeneous, however depending on the individual, certain aspects may be employed, and others may not.  There are many different combinations of the general factors that make up the worldview. For example, Japan practices religious tolerance so it would not be uncommon to come across a person who practices multiple religions.  In fact, “Most immigrants and foreign workers practice religions other than Buddhism or Shinto, according to an NGO in close contact with foreign workers” (U.S.D.S).  The worldview in Japan is a free flowing, harmonious mixture of cultural tradition, spirituality, and religion.

 

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