Traditional Japanese cultural values are influenced by Confucian values and ideology, this held standards determine what is acceptable or unacceptable and thus, define what is expected and respected in Japan (Miles, 2006). Confucian ideology asserts that social order is achieved and maintained through principles developed through human wisdom (Miles, 2006). Furthermore, emphasizes the importance of human relationships; to the Japanese it is important to respect, be faithful, and have consideration for the needs of others (Miles, 2006). Thus the Japanese, appear to follow the platinum rule, which promotes awareness of general and specific differences, implying that one should treat others the way they want to be treated (Johnson, 2017). In order …show more content…
The Japanese prefer belonging to a group, their personal relationships prevail over tasks, for them pursuing personal success is frowned upon (Miles, 2006). Whereas, in America, individuals are individualistic, people take care of their own selves and believe success is attained by their independent work, which is known as the “American dream” (Silver, 2002). Second, in Japan power distance--how power and authority is perceived--is visible through hierarchy, which represents the high power difference in the country. For instance, in Japan the most important aspect is respect for the elderly and dutifulness to seniority (Garcia, 2015). In regards to uncertainty avoidance, which indicates how comfortable people are with risk and ambiguity, the Japanese avoid uncertainty, they attempt to prepare for any situation. Japanese culture is highly ritualized, meaning they have several ceremonies, and each ceremony has a set of rules and proceedings that must be followed (Miles, 2006). Additionally, Japan has the traits of a masculine culture, one that values advancement, assertiveness, and earning and acquiring things (Johnson,
What I think about the United States gathering up Japanese Americans was a good thing because it was the safety of American citizens. They had to think fast since it was out-of-nowhere when the attack on Pearl Harbor happened to everyone. The United States didn’t know what to do with the Japanese Americans that was living in America, so they had to put them in internment camps for their and our safety. During the war, the US gathered the Japanese Americans to assure them, we would keep them safe; they were questioned as to whom they felt the greatest loyalty which either was the United States or Japan. The conditions in the camps weren't pleasant the men and women were separated, living inside of barracks, meals were served in rations and mess
It doesn’t matter what kind of ethnicity you are, or how you were brought up. Everyone is deeply rooted in their own culture. “Culture” has a different meaning to everyone. Comparing American culture to Chinese culture we will find many different meanings to the word “culture”. For example, we Americans are always looking for something bigger and better for our future, and the Chinese are content with a small reserved lifestyle with no intentions of changing it for something bigger. A culture is a way of life of a group of people-the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and are passed along by communication and imitation from
Cultural differences are apparent from one group of people to another. Culture is based on many things that are passed on from one generation to the next. Most of the time people take for granted their language, beliefs, and values. When it comes the cultural differences of people there is no right or wrong. People should be aware of others culture and respect the differences that are between them. The United States and China are two very large countries that have cultures that are well known through out the world. There are many differences between the United States and China, but there are many contributing factors that shape the cultures of these two countries.
As Mahatma Gandhi said, “No culture can live, if it attempts to be exclusive” (Mahatma). Our culture identifies who we are and how we behave in social environments and provides us with a foundation in which to live our lives and raise our families. Each individual culture has certain customs and courtesies that are important. Exposure to the cultures of others can be intimidating and can leave a person feeling confused and unsure about how they fit in (Schaefer 60). Culture shock can leave a person feeling out of place in an unfamiliar culture (Schaefer 60). Our diverse societies demand understanding and acceptance of other cultures. Learning and understanding these cultures before being
The 1940s, a time where Nisei, Japanese American born in the United States, was hard. After the bombing at Pearl Harbor, in 1941. On February 19, 1942, The president passed the executive order 9066 (Japanese Internment Timeline 6). This order was a forced law, and in this case it was forcing the Japanese Americans into concentration camps, bringing the United States into World War II (Japanese Internment Timeline 6). There was an argument on the West Coast during this time period that had opinions from each side. I believe it was not equitable for Japanese Americans to be taken out of the Pacific Coast and placed into the concentration camps, also referred to as internment, because there
Understanding of the different cultural and racial population is important for counselors to recognize and consider in counseling. Due to the various approaches that should be taken when dealing with different cultures. Our textbook states “Counseling without attention or respect to the critical differences of diversity will likely not be successful.” (Clinton & Ohlschlager pg. 617) It is like you must put their shoes on, within the context of culture for the counselor to be effective. For example, when dealing with Asian clients they are very likely to have intense familial relationships. This contrasts with modern day United States American culture; our culture is centered on the self, not the us.
The fundamentals of Japanese and American social hierarchy are different. In Japan the social structure is based off of a hierarchy, and older people are treated with more respect than younger people. On the other hand, in the USA social status is derived from multiple factors; age not being one of them. In addition to the way social status is decided in Japan, the way people treat each other is also vastly different than in the USA. In Japan people treat each other with much more respect and curtsy than in the USA. furthermore the hierarchal nature of Japanese society even extends into the business world. An excerpt from the textbook, Global Business Language, shows this: “ They want to know who has the higher social status and where they themselves need to fit in among the people involved in the
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
Chinese-Americans authors Amy Tan and Gish Jen have both grappled with the idea of mixed identity in America. For them, a generational problem develops over time, and cultural displacement occurs as family lines expand. While this is not the problem in and of itself, indeed, it is natural for current culture to gain foothold over distant culture, it serves as the backdrop for the disorientation that occurs between generations. In their novels, Tan and Jen pinpoint the cause of this unbalance in the active dismissal of Chinese mothers by their Chinese-American children.
Pocky, Anime, manga, kanji. Have you heard of any of these? If not… where have you been? All around us teenagers, children, and even adults are being drawn into Japanese culture through TV, books, and even food. Japanese comics, called manga, take up more and more space on American bookshelves, and they've infused new life into the publishing industry. Japanese animation, anime, is on more and more movies and TV screens and influencing popular toys and games.
Western Influence on Japan Japan, as a nation, is a continually changing society. Ever since western nations became involved with Japan, its changes over recent times have increased at a substantial rate. Japan now faces cultural, economical and social differences as a result of the western involvement. The involvement was initiated by the Japanese themselves, beginning during the Meiji Period1 through current times.
The educational system differs throughout the world; its viewed and taught differently because of cultural differences. Many cultures view education as a necessity of life therefore family are strict and get more involved in there child’s education. Around the world, education is given to students to prepare them for their future. The American education is considered one of the strongest systems of education therefore many countries the American system. The American education system contains many differences and similarities to the foreign system of education; however, students in the American system are not as successful as those in foreign countries like Japan.
For years, people have always felt that the Japanese school system was superior or more effective than that of the United States. Although some feel this way, others feel that the Japanese system is too strict and not flexible enough for those who may need extra help along the way. Through researching two different case studies, and also reading other materials, I have found many similarities along with many differences between the two, including teaching methods, overall emphases, and student involvement. Both countries have developed very effective and intricate systems of teaching, which compliment, and clash against one another. The Japanese system is not in all ways
The culture of a place is an integral part of its society whether that place is a remote Indian village in Brazil or a highly industrialized city in Western Europe. The culture of Japan fascinates people in the United States because, at first glance, it seems so different. Everything that characterizes the United States--newness, racial heterogeneity, vast territory, informality, and an ethic of individualism-- is absent in Japan. There, one finds an ancient and homogeneous society, an ethic that emphasizes the importance of groups, and a tradition of formal behavior governing every aspect of daily living, from drinking tea to saying hello. On the surface at least, U.S. and Japanese
I feel that coming to Japan helped break a lot of assumptions about Japanese culture and also confirm knowledge I knew only from textbooks. The trip also made me experience some culture shock but if anything it made the trip more interesting. I appreciated the irony that was ever present. There were many customs both old and new I appreciated on the trip and helped open my eyes to new experiences, observations, and interactions with people I normally would never have a chance to meet. The Japanese people truly took elements of western culture and made it their own.