Introduction to Japanese Culture

Understanding a new culture is not easy and takes years to fully gain a grasp of the intricate details, if a full grasp is even possible. Nonetheless, striving to understand more and more is valuable for communicating the Gospel in a different culture. God created the Japanese and their culture. While it may be different than your own, that does not mean that one culture is right and the other is wrong. We encourage you to look and see God's fingerprints throughout the beauty of the culture here in Japan.

Our goal is to share with you some observations about the Japanese culture. We do not want to evaluate them, but rather present them, so that you may be aware of different attitudes you may encounter while you are here in Japan.

1. Uchi-Soto ("Us and Them")

This is one of the first things you will notice about the Japanese. The Japanese have a strong group identity. You will often hear them say: "We Japanese." They often take pride in this identity and can have difficulty stepping outside of what is considered Japanese. Being ostracized is one of the worst things that can happen to a Japanese, who is raised to be part of a group and depend on others. Also, since you are a foreigner, you will not be able to enter this group identity. Your goal should not be to become Japanese, but rather to display Christ's love by being who God created you to be and allowing them to be Japanese. God did create both your culture and the Japanese culture. He is not tied to one or the other; He is above all things.

2. The Gaijin Complex

You will be a gaijin unless you are native Japanese. Gaijin means outsider. How Japanese view non-Japanese is always a subject of debate. Often there is a mixture of admiration, suspicion, and some nervousness about dealing with someone who does not look or act like the Japanese. On the other hand, Japanese college students generally show positive attitudes about foreigners, and yet from others there may be indifference. In some ways, it is cool to look western on a superficial level, but anything more serious can bring a negative reaction. As well, you will find that Japanese will compliment you on your Japanese speaking ability no matter how low it truly is, as well as, your ability to use chopsticks. It is polite to smile and down play the compliment. Likely, they are surprised that you can speak even a little Japanese or use chopsticks. Accept the fact that you will be a gaijin. In most of the relationships you will have, being a foreigner will be accepted and most likely appreciated.

3. Honne and Tatemae

There is the way things are and the way we'd like them to be. The reality and the facade. The real reason and the pretext. The substance and the form. Being direct and being diplomatic. And the truth and the white lie. In short, that is honne and tatemae, respectively. Since avoiding conflict and trouble is extremely important in Japan, using diplomatic language is often used rather than the direct stating something. Instead of directing saying "no," your Japanese friends may say they have another commitment, even if they truly do not, or they may say that it is a little difficult, which means no, but is less straightforward. For your Japanese friend to reveal the honne takes time and trust. If you display love and trust, your relationships can go very deep, but again this takes time. Be patient.

4. Personal Space/Nosiness

Japanese society has two concurrent streams that frequently bump heads, and the result is tension and stress. One current is protecting your own privacy, following your dream, and doing things your own way at your own pace. Facing this is the overwhelming social pressure to conform, follow the rules, and make sure everyone else is in the same boat as you. With big Japanese cities having extremely high population densities, personal space is scarce, and with little space in front of you many Japanese retreat to the only space they can; inside their heads. Becoming introverted, shy and withdrawn is not atypical. There are exceptions to this of course; some young people love to associate with westerners because of this and they can more freely express themselves and not have to worry about being looked down as too gregarious. For you as a foreigner, being yourself and loving the Japanese is important. Do not try to force relationships; trust God with your Japanese friends.

5. The Urami Complex

Many Japanese also have a trait called the Urami Complex. Urami means envy, and Japanese are keenly aware of what others in their group have or get. Some Japanese motives are based on envy. Japanese society itself has been pictured as a round table, with everyone sitting around it -- and viewing what everyone else has or does. Being branded as someone who causes trouble (meiwaku) is the worst scarlet letter (even if you are just standing up for yourself). Harmony and being equals in a group is highly regarded.

6. Tate-Shakai -- The Vertical Society

Tate Shakai means a vertically structured society, like the military or a caste system. The phrase was made by Japanese sociologist Nakane Chie. From 1600 until 1868 Japan was an officially segregated society with 5 classes of people. At the top were the samurai, then the farmers, then the artisans, then the merchants, and finally the outcasts (the grave diggers, leather tanners, etc.). The system collapsed because by the end of the Shogunate rule the merchants had all the money. Yet even today a shadow of this system is still around. Everyone belongs to some group, and every group has people of superior rank and status. The notion of boss and worker being perfect buddies after work without a thought of the company relationship for Japanese is impossible. The language itself has many words for "I" and "you", each showing how much respect one shows the other. This trait also contributes to a strong materialist mentality in Japan; of always trying to keep up with the latest trends, even at a high cost. At the same time, this characteristic can lead to a great deal of respect for superiors and those in authority.  

7. Shikata ga Nai and Gaman

Shikata ga nai means "There's nothing you can do about it", and is often used by Japanese when they face a troubling situation they think they can't change. Japanese can feel the need to conform and let their personal feelings fall aside for the sake of the group. Depending on the situation, this attitude can be either good or bad. You will likely hear this expression a few times while you are hear. As you hear this expression in context, you can gain more understanding about your friend's way of thinking if you listen. If ever one falters, or feels he can't take it, he is told to put up with it (gaman). Gaman means to take it or be patient and again, is a double-edged sword. For Japanese, it's a source of great strength. No matter how hard things get, they just keep fighting (ganbaru). This has allowed Japanese to overcome enormously difficult times, including natural disasters, as well as a bad economy. On the other hand, sometimes there is a need to change and adapt and Japanese sometimes struggle to see when changes are necessary.
 
 

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