Understanding Japan

I have lived and worked in Japan a lot, and know this to be true - except when it comes to major corporations like TEPCO and the government officials they buy. In that case, it's exactly like the USA: Screw all of you, we're going to do what we want, whether it gives you cancer or not.

Such a nice distillation of a culture that I personally find so lacking in allure--however you make it sound so nice---

Much of this sounds good, but not all people in Japan are happy. One sad example is those whose homes have been destroyed by radioactivity from those Fukushima plants. And yes, TEPCO's way of handling the whole thing seems to be too much tatemae and too little honne...

Fascinating, Derek!

Good points. From doing business in Japan for years, there is also a commitment to local, Japanese, harmony versus lowest price or most efficient in the hierarchy of their decision making. In addition, the concept of outsiders in the Japanese culture is a big topic.

Very accurate. This should be enlightening for those with little experience of Japan. I've watched so many foreign business people walk away from their business meetings with the Japanese scratching their heads....

D,
I just returned from Tokyo. Thank you for clearing up some of the questions I've had about doing business in Japan. What is important to us is not important to them, and vice versa!

I've been studying the same phenomenon in Turkey, in order to understand their cultural norms and how they differ from ours and others. I have a good friend who is Japanese, living in Turkey, and we discuss these differences.

When I first arrived there some years ago, I made a point of grilling American expats in order to learn what I would need to know.

Interestingly, I was told that Turkish people never say "no", that this is not their way of doing things. But unlike the Japanese, instead of qualifying their response, they will just say "yes", when they mean "no".

So the trick is to understand when "yes" actually means "no". This was a lesson that was taught to me over and over again...as I was kept waiting over and over again for meetings where my Turkish counterpart was never to arrive, just to mention one of the most prevalent outcomes of my misunderstanding.

Yet, life continues, business happens, things do get done. I was left scratching my head in perplexity. This taught me to persevere and not to judge by my own standards. The times when "yes" actually means yes makes it all worthwhile.

What an interesting planet and times we live in.

Thanks for a wonderfully distilled pocket guide.

How interesting, I am going to buy your Japan book, loved the excerpt! Thanks Derek I love the high quality of the conversation and content that you present always (like your Japanese yourself)

This is terrific information and very enlightening, even if someone is not planning to travel and/or do business in these 16 countries. Cultural awareness is important for all of us.

Japan sounds simply sublime if I am to judge it and it's people by your article. There must be an underbelly somewhere, like Alicia says, perhaps in business affairs or in some cultural beliefs like killing the whales when the entire planet has stopped this for obvious reasons, Japan is relentless. I like the culture for the most part, but I feel their emphasis on respect is somewhat false.

I lived and gigged in Japan for 5 years, and it was a wonderful experience. Your "every day" description is spot on. However, spending so much time with them "after hours" as it were, I found that they can play equally as hard as they work. Fascinating people...

Thank you. I see I am East and West.

Whilst there's plenty to recommend some of the honor, discipline and civilization in their society, there are deeply, deeply troubling things about their 'way'.... whaling, middle-aged men/father suicides, lack of openness to other progressive ways of living and developing... their economy is really NOT one to envy... their utterly horrific war behaviors... inhumanity to others... 'makes one wonder if all this historic 'inner peace' and devotion has an ultimately beneficial pay-off (or not!)

Great overview. I just returned from my first business trip to Tokyo and I loved it, for all the reasons mentioned (it is a beautiful, clean, contemporary city) and also the abundance of ultra-modern architecture. I saw so many great locations for the sci-fi movie in my head...

I met with a very large, very successful company, and when setting up the meeting they asked if any of us had any dietary requirements. I don't usually make a deal of it, but since they asked I mentioned in response that I was a Vegan. After our meeting, they took us to a local (and very traditional) all vegan restaurant they went out of their way to find. We sat on cushions on the floor and had one of the most memorable meals I've ever enjoyed as a vegan. And it wasn't just because of the food and the setting, but because my hosts were so thoughtful to go out of their way on my behalf. To tip it off, my business partner, who typically gives me friendly grief for my (often complicated when we travel together) dietary choices, also thoroughly enjoyed the meal and experience.

I look forward to returning to Tokyo soon... Thanks for reinforcing my first impression!

Fascinating article. I know when I traveled to the middle-east last year I was aware that my words and actions were viewed differently than they would be in the U.S. Thank you for sharing this.

Almost all lawsuits in Japan are corporate and usually pertain to patents, foreign mergers, etc. Japanese are loathe to sue each other in personal matters.
I was in an elevator in Japan with a Japanese man. I pressed the [><] CLOSE DOOR button, and the doors immediately closed! I told the man I was surprised because in America, that button never seems to actually work. He smiled and said, “They are disabled in America because of lawsuits.” ☺ — Derek

Hi Derek, Thank You for the insights, hope all is well and I wish you a great year

I have a cd/album release in Japan back in 2007 on P-Vine Records, "StoneFree" not much promotion going on with it now. I will release a new cd "Soul Just Aint Enough" there in 2014 !

Judging by their game shows, obsession with schoolgirls, pantie vending machines etc etc, I always thought the Japanese were/are a very repressed people crying to break out. Thanks for the background on why.

Beautiful! I never cease to learn from you Derek, and consider your blogs and books to contribute to the betterment of all life force. Sometimes it feels as if you are channeling wisdom passed down through the centuries and it is always something I needed to know at that very moment in my life! Namaste...

This may look all very nice from the outside. But the inhibitions, actually often incapacity, of people to say what they think is screwing up efficiency in business, politics and many other domains of life, in fact it is even impeding the motivation and ultimately capability to think at all.

Very enlightening. It gives one a wider perspective of reality. Good job.

I play all original music and I am curious what everybody on the list experiences in Japan as to their acceptance of western music particularly original music they have never heard before if done well? Or really any other countries. Sorry that I went off-topic Derek but if anybody can help me or if you can I would be curious to know. Good to hear from you as always.

Very interesting and deeply observed. Great article.

Japanese people and Japanese food have always been my favourites. If I want to define Japan in one word, I would say "class". Now that I know more about them, I like them even more! I wish Japanese rules would apply to the rest of the world. Though the way they try to say "no" can be quite confusing for foreigners lol

In Iran also there are things that can be extremely confusing for foreigners as well (just like every country that has its own norms and ways of behaving). It's called "Taarof". It's like they tell you something but they don't mean it, and they just say it to sound polite and friendly. For example, you go to a store and pick a nice shirt. You go to the cash and ask "how much is this shirt?" The salesman says "oh, don't worry about it (meaning you don't have to pay)". Then you say "Thank you, it's very kind of you". Then he says "I swear on my mom's grave; let it be my treat". So you keep flattering each other and say kind things to each other. Eventually the salesman says "the price of the shirt is $300"!!!! If you are a foreigner, you think he really doesn't want to get your money, so you think he is nice and you want to leave the store with the shirt in your hand, but then he comes after you to get his money. And if you are Iranian, you start bargaining...

Another example; you are invited somewhere for tea/coffee. After a good chat and tea/coffee, you get up to leave.The host says "please stay with us for supper; we would love to have some more time with you". If you are a non-Iranian, you believe the host and you stay (and you will not get invited by that host again lol), but if you are an Iranian, you know that the host doesn't actually mean what she is saying, and she wants you to leave.

I have never enjoyed this whole "Taarof" thing because it's all based on lies and it definitely does not improve the society. I think Japanese people, while they do similar things to Taarof, they are still truthful and honest, and that's why their country is so advanced and people are so mature and deep. I believe that "growth" happens when we are taught how to connect with our inner selves instead of looking for the truth elsewhere, because if we know how we function, we will know how others function too, and as a result we will learn how to connect with others and how to put them before ourselves.

Thanks again for the great article.

I just sent the PDF of Japan 14 to my son at ASU. He's taking his first year of Japanese and is studying sustainability. He would like to travel the world and add to it not take away from it. Thanks Derek!

As a student of traditional Japanese Wado-Ryu Karate, I totally agree with you. I read that when the tsunami hit Japan, people stood in line to get help and supplies. Sadly, in most of the world, a lot of people would trample others to get what they want.

I also have to add that in all the years that I have studied Karate, we have never been taught the word"no" in Japanese. I asked one time and my teacher told me it was unnecessary to know how to say that.

This week Hiroo Onoda died. He was one of the last Japanese Holdouts or "stragglers" from WWII that did not surrender, because prior to being separated from his platoon he had been ordered not to. For 30 years he lived in the Philippine mountains, convinced the war was still on despite attempts to contact him. He even killed some civilians and police until his commanding officer found him in 1974 and officially relieved him of duty. He returned home a hero.

Perhaps this dedication to orders, perseverance, loyalty etc illustrates the Japanese way. And those are fine characteristics. But there is always another side to the coin. In his stubborn one-mindedness, one might think the man foolish, even moronic for not somehow figuring out the war had been over for 30 years.

Derek,
I think we're turning........, I really think so!

Wonderful though Japan undoubtable is, differing levels of politeness aren’t helping when it comes to a calamity like Fukushima.

I don’t know whether or not a different outcome would occur in respect to Fukushima if this disaster were to happen in a different country but this IS affecting the world and very little appears to be happening apart from ‘tut tut and bandaids.’

Is Japan - and, by extension, the rest of us - being led into a collective slow suicide because politeness and a belief in authority prevents either action or robust questioning?

Having said that, I don’t see any leaders mentioning Fukushima so perhaps cultural differences get blurred when it comes to money.

Reminds me of that cheerful saying,

“I wouldn’t be dead for a million quid ..... but then again .... it’s a lot of money.”

Don't forget this bit about the Japanese as well: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1076063

Seriously?!? Did the person who told you all this actually live there? Or was is a local? That's the image they like to project to the outside world. Living and working there is a different story. As globalization has infested all corners of the world Japan has lost contact with its roots. Their children are far from studying well and being the best in the world. They're every bit as ensconced in "right to entitlement" as American kids. Their entire education system is based on memorizing details with no practical knowledge on how any of it fits together. Originality and critical thinking are seriously looked down upon. Tokyo is clean in some areas but has its fair share of filth including people constantly coughing in your face. Some do it on purpose because they don't like foreigners but most just don't have enough sense to cover their mouths. And you will ALWAYS be a foreigner there. Aside from a few exceptions, and I was fortunate enough to live in a neighborhood where such exception was prevalent at least for me, you will never be accepted as anything other than an outsider.

Sorry to burst your bubble, and I'm certain there will be all sorts of people vehemently disputing me, but this is the fact of the matter. Another sore fact is that many of the Americans over there are stuck up with a "big fish in a small pond" attitude. It's pretty funny to watch them get ripped off left and right, victims of their own arrogance. Europeans and Australians, thankfully, don't have that attitude.

There are two things that Japan does better than the U.S., though. Far better. The first is food. They want their food as fresh as possible. It's a given over there. So whether you're eating at home or eating out you can pretty much eat whatever you want without concern. The other is their attitude towards money. Americans want the cheapest possible which combined with corporate greed has driven our economy into the toilet. How can you get something manufactured for the cheapest possible price and pay your workers a livable wage? Outsourcing? In Japan quality of craftsmanship is still highly valued. They want the best and are willing to pay for it. Despite everything you've heard about their economic ups and downs their economy is relatively stable. Also they have an economically strong working class. The disparity of wealth that we endure in the U.S. is practically unheard of there.

That's my two cents, bring on the hate mail.

All this is true and the Japanese society is amazing. I work a lot there as a composer and teacher and admire them more and more. However these ideas have also been a nourishing environment to racism, antisemitism and various discriminatory practices. Japan is also very admirable in the way they modernize and how they adapt without just changing. As I said before I admire this society and I admire how everything works and how clean the keep everything. You should see the Mexican underground where I am from compared to Tokyo´s. But once again, this could be a two side thing sometimes. Thanks Derek, as always great food for thought.

As an American, being and working with the Japanese people is a very rewarding experience. After the March 11, 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami, many Japanese living in America, created an effort to help the victims of the disaster. I was involved as a musician to help them. Because of this unique experience, I was inspired to write this song that would raise awareness and funds for this cause. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9ILnn8-EUk I'll always remember the total dedication the Japanese I met to help their fellow countrymen.

Thanks Derek, quite insightful..

Although the article is well-written to the eye of a Japanese, I don’t agree with the part “Samurai role model”. It’s understandable that westerners find “samurai” fascinating. Sure, they’re an important part of the Japanese history and culture, but they weren’t the only one. There is no valid data on the percentage of “the samurai class” in the Japanese society during the Edo Period, but many believe they were less than 10 % of the population. They were the privileged class that the Shogunate government created. The rest of the Japanese people were not allowed to have higher education, swords or even family names. The Shogunate government encouraged the samurai class to study Confucianism, while the majority of people didn’t even know what it was. In my opinion the modern Japanese society comes from our long history in which most people had to live without any discord with the authorities. People needed to live in harmony to survive. I’m often amazed how much Americans expect from their politicians. The Japanese aren’t very enthusiastic about politics, because many of us have the tendency not to trust authorities (though we obey them). That’s why the Japanese conserve more than many other people. Personally, I’m grateful to American interference for ending the samurai Japan, because more people especially women were able to receive proper education.

Valli & I were booked into a Hostess Bar in Tokyo with an entertaining quartet for 4 months in August 1979. The hostesses sat with the guests and lit their cigarettes and listened to their BS for an hourly fee. Japanese version of B girls?
They were not prostitutes. Modern Geishas?? Maybe.

Plus points--the food was continuously wonderful and the crowd was very attentive and appreciative. There was a great Olympic size pool nearby. The trains ran on time. After the gig at 2AM I could run in the park and lie down on the grass safely before returning home for a neck high hot tub. I dropped the 15 lbs I put on doing the previous cruise ship gig.

Minus points--it was crowded and hot and the elevated train shook our apt all night long. The language was a bitch.

Of interest--
1. the numerous requests for American WW 2 songs.
2.the extreme nationalism. The club manager was 3rd generation--his grandparents immigrated from Korea. The owner of the club was from an old Samurai family. Sammy,the manager had us retire to a band room on the roof during our breaks. When I complained to the owner of the heat he allowed us to hang out in the air-conditioned second floor coffee shop and consume black coffee (no cream or sugar) and water,free with the comment--"You have to excuse Sammy, he's not one of us".
3.One of the regular customers was a successful kamai-kazi pilot. He was welded into his plane and dispatched to bomb an American carrier. He was shot down and rescued and interned at the Naval Base in San Diego where he worked his way up to Officers Club manager. His English was perfect.
4.Every section of Tokyo is specialized. Our club was in the middle of a 4 square block entertainment district--Akasaka. When we checked into our apt., the booking company issued us a 50 lb. sack of rice. Many of the club musicians were Philippinos and they were all good. No japanese musicians were employed in the whole area.
5.All the employees of the booking agency expected to have their job for life. They all hung out together in the lounge watching TV when off duty.
6.The only English language TV show we saw for 4 months was Charlie's Angels
7.The Sumo matches were fascinating. We sometimes sat next to Sumos in a noodle house consuming incredible portions of noodles. A Sumo riding down the street on a bicycle is a formidable sight.
8. I have a black belt in Judo awarded by a Japanese master. I visited the Kodokan in Tokyo and mentioned my Sensai's name, Takahama, which aroused much respect and was told I could work out, but in a separate Dojo for Westerners.

It was cool and we saved most of our salaries. Would we do it again?
Nope. When our plane landed at LAX. Valli kissed the ground

Love, B

Interesting piece of overall. It sounds like you exaggerated things to make a point, right?

For example, your example about the person selling tickets ("Imagine you want to buy a ticket and there are no seats left. The ticket salesperson won’t give you a straight answer like, “There are no tickets left.” Instead he will probably keep you waiting, pretending he is looking into something on his computer, make weird faces, and say something like, “Finding seats can be difficult.”")

I speak Japanese, so I cannot imagine a situation like this. If I ask for a ticket and there are none left, I will clearly be told, "There are no tickets left."

Perhaps you also speak Japanese, but I cannot imagine a ticket salesperson doing that! I have lived in Tokyo and Kyoto, and been all over Japan, and never saw such a thing...

Thanks for sharing. Very enlightening...

Hai, so desu.

Loved this article Derek! It is short and packed with fascinating information. Was a great read! Thanks. (I hope you will post more of such introductory articles on other countries from your Wood Egg books)

Japan, the only country where you don't have to count your change...

Planning a trip to Japan and found this very helpful. Thank you

Grew up in this. It's how I was raised & Derek, you may have even seen a little of that in how I am. Modern Japan is very different though, most of my friends who are more recent immigrants tell me that I am living in the 50's, culturally.
There is a word, "Enryo" that explains a lot, but is hardly used in Japan these days.
Still, it's proved an honorable path for me & so far I think I'm okay with most people in this industry...
:)

As a pragmatic person, I don't see the value of the politeness to not say no. Personally, one must be strong enough to take criticism and hear contrary opinions and "no" is the lesson 101 for people who can't handle.
To be clear, I'm not criticizing Japanese. Just discussing the philosophy mentioned above.
Would love to visit Japan though.. specially the country side.

Derek, loved your comments on Japan. I watch Jdramas a lot esp. Historical ones (my fave) to learn Japanese. I'd like to recommend watching "Tenchijin" (gooddrama.net) which goes along with what you said above (re: the Samurai way) and I think you'll REALLY enjoy it. (PS. If I could, I'd like to move to S. Korea)

One point - Derek,

Judo is not "Gentle Way". This "Ju" is not meant to express gentleness, but flexibility ;)

I had a good read anyway. Thank you. Very good description of Japanese culture.

great explanation of japanese manners, thank you.
maybe we make new tb303...('no mate , not a hope')

Excellent. I enjoyed that.

An interesting read, thanks Derek.
What is described however could also contribute towards a repressed society? Suicide is a significant national social issue in Japan.
Hope your travels are going well!

hey derek, great to see you writing frequently again.

Derek,
Great article on Japan. It certainly opens my eyes! Thank you for posting it.

Hope you are doing well.

Steven Bruce
www.thecount.org - Supporting the end of human starvation and malnutrition

It's too bad the Americanized Japanese don't adhere to this. In other words, our American greed is rubbing off on the rest of the world.

Loved this article Derek.....thanks for posting.

Hi Derek,
Thanks for new article.

Best Regards
Jan

Sounds like you're on your way to writing a book about diverse cultures and attitudes. We could all benefit from understanding--we'd be less likely to kill each other, then.

I agree with other commenters that this is how Japan likes to be seen. I lived there for years, and enjoyed myself tremendously, but it is no paradise. Japan is very nice to foreigners, as long as they understand that their gender, skin color, and physical appearance dictates their place in society, all in the name of social harmony. This is also true for native Japanese: if you have Korean grandparents, you're gonna have a bad time.

I truly enjoyed your blog today Derek! You are definitely iki my friend and congratulations on your new books! I really admire what you have created and it must feel incredible releasing 16 books that will help others further their goals in life and business! Way to go!
Trey:)
WhiskeyChild.com
AfternoonInnnovations.com

If ever there was a people living a life of quiet desperation it is the Japanese.

This is fascinating information that I will use in my general understanding of the way various cultures interact. It may save me from a very long wait at a ticket counter some day.

A really useful and interesting article Derek, thank you! My philosophy aligns quite closely with this description of Japanese culture, so I'm now keen to visit. You publish such original and thoughtful pieces, I'm so glad I found you through CD Baby :)

It is very interesting that you can study 'people of the world' by living in their country and learning the essence of their lives. I always thought that would be a great adventure on the musical side, being able to take their folk tunes and mesh it with the music I feel. Thanks for sharing.

interesting observations Derek and thanks for sharing them. I am sure that at the core there is great beauty and honor in the Japanese way of life. I do agree with more than a few of your friends that there is def another side of the coin to some of the repressed behaviors mentioned. Where ever there is repression of spirit, there is going to be something looking to equal that out somewhere. My father was a renowned Doctor at The Cleveland Clinic. The highest rate of stomach and colon cancer was from his Japanese patients. He believed that a lot of this was due to "Holding things inside" attitude of their culture. Our family's best friends were Japanese however, and they also possessed many of the outstanding qualities you mention.

Hi Derek!
As I read your thoughtful blog, I can see traces of truth weaved in and through cultures. It seems we universally seek qualities that are higher than ourselves. To live less base, or low, based only on gratification of self. One can repress, discipline, beat down the "flesh" nature, so to speak, but it is always with us, ready to seek it's self interest. Perhaps we can achieve some degree of self-denial in all of this but without a replacement, what is the point? I believe if one replaces the self life, with the life of the Holy Spirit, it is simply a releasing of self, to God, and God works in and among one's heart. Who can weigh the motive? Motive is where the purity lies, and if pure, love is fostered in one's heart. Love, so powerful and universal. Things to think about:-)
Have a great week Derek!
Rachel

Hey Derek,
You have a lot of good insight based on all your travels. How about taking one of us along on say a field trip with you sometime. Put all the names of your avid readers and followers in a hat and choose a name. Wouldn't that be a spectacular experience?
☺ — Derek

While I get it that the premise of the article is "Doing Business in Japan", I wonder how well the Japanese honne and tatamae allow them to interact with the outside world. I would suspect they have to undertake the same or some similar reversal of application of these that we as westerners do.

Derek, you are iki.

I don't think I will find it acceptable if I am kept waiting to buy a ticket for an event by been told they are been looked for when there are none. That's deceptive and unfair because someone is been asked to believe in something that's not true. Such a scenario may affect someone who is unfamiliar with this state of affairs, but for those who are familiar with it, they probably won't hang around once been told that the tickets are been searched for.

Beautifully insight about the culture , have never been to Japan , but yes was quite moved by the way Japanese handled the entire tsunami mayhem. Kudos !

never knew. thanks for the insight!

I work with a chef who left Cambodia as a refugee from the war in 1975 (he was 14 then - the story of his escape is astonishing). He always deflects compliments to his staff, even when he pulls a double-shift to serve a beautiful banquet to 600 people. I have seen him be so tactful and polite that a stove in his kitchen went unrepaired for months because he was so subtle about suggesting that it might need some work. He is a joy to work with, and a good friend. It has been enlightening to learn more about why he navigates life the way he does. Our business employs refugees and immigrants from 28 countries -- subtlety, tact, and loyalty are common attributes of our Asian employees.

Thank you for sending this! Absolutely terrific! Great attention to detail and practicality.

Very interesting reading. Keep 'em coming!

Sounds like we could use some of this in U.S. As a musician and music educator I love the idea of contributing to the "company" or group.

This wonderful article could not have come at a more perfect time. I will be playing in Japan next month, and am trying to soak up everything I can about decorum as preparation for this first-time musical adventure.

Very nice insight, although I don't understand why you make the effort to study differences/similarities of Japan with several Asian countries yet you don't mention Europe! Although considered a western country, it is not the USA.

Awesome!

It's really interesting to get a peek into a different culture.

I have been told that "gentle" is a mistranslation of "ju" and that a better translation is "pliant". Certainly as someone who has practised judo and jujuitsu, "gentle" is not a word that springs to mind!

I can’t get enough of these postings. This insight and knowledge of Japan is startling. I’ve been there 32 times & learned so much more about these amazing people from this explanation of the culture!
Thanks Will! I should send you his “Geek in Japan” book. It's awesome and englightening. — Derek

Mojo-do

For "ju" in judo, I think of gentle as in the opposite of "power" where applied technique may triumph over brute strength/power. I've been practicing judo for over a year and had been thinking about how the word translated to gentle.

Having been to Japan many times, one thing that has struck me in recent years has been the relentless commitment toward recycling. It's not uncommon to have to separate even the most minuscule bits of trash into 5 or more different bins when disposing of stuff - both in public and in private homes. It's quite a remarkable community ethic. PS: Loved the guide - great job on that.

Everyone should read this. I love reading and learning about other cultures and believe that understanding = compassion and peace. If we understand each other and what each culture values, then the need for competition, disagreements and war becomes in large part obsolete.

Thanks for the post Derek. I feel bad that I wasn’t able to submit for the book.

For those that may not know me, I’ve been in Japan now for 13 years and have been booking musicians for tours here since 2006. I now have a successful booking agency and PA company and also started the only music conference in Japan, KMC.
Being based outside of Tokyo (Osaka), provides a different perspective of Japan, a sense of the “real” Japan that a visitor could never experience in Tokyo. I would encourage any visitors to travel to different areas if plans permit.
Having said that, I’d like to comment on some of the comments:
Article – “Japanese hardly ever use the word “no”. Using it is considered very curt.”
I have been doing training classes for several years at different companies to teach Japanese employees how to say “no” when doing business with overseas companies. In running my own business, have learned that if someone takes longer that a couple of seconds to reply, I should move on. Otherwise I’m wasting my time.
#3 Don’t forget one of the highest suicide rates in the world creating train delays all the time.
#16 Great! That’s why I moved here.
#25 Contact me (Shalestone Music)
#36 No hate mail needed. Right on point. (Give the author a break. It wouldn’t get printed if it has a negative tone)
#42 I used to go cycling when I first moved here and when I would get lost, I’d ask someone. They would take my map and look at it sometimes for 2 mins. all the while scratching their heads. After those experiences I decided on my “2 second” rule.
#71 Most can’t interact. They generally don’t pay attention to international news, don’t speak English well, aren’t familiar with the norms of other cultures, etc. The only focus is on Japan. That’s why the prime minister has recently proposed getting more college students to study abroad.

I am a chinese.I think that Japanese is autonomy and diligent. You know, my country try to uglify Japanese. Maybe I boycott Japanese goods. Maybe I have prejudice to Japanese.Sorry for my bad english.bye.

Nice concise summary, Derek. Thanks for sharing. For another, somewhat lowbrow view of Japan, you might want to check out http://teachyourselfjapanese.wordpress.com

I've performed in Japan several times. The first time was for three months back in 1991 at the old "Holland Village" in Nagasaki. I experienced very clearly the inability to say a direct no for things. Very frustrating! It would take the producers 5 minutes of explanation and skirting-around-the-issue before I would get the message that the answer was no. The way I describe this is if a prospective hotel guest walks into a hotel and asks if there's a room. The hotel clerk, instead of staying no. starts talking about how wonderful it is that the hotel is so popular that all the rooms are booked. Less direct but the message gets across.

I also experienced the incredible giving and taking-care-of-visitors nature of Japanese workers. First of all the common expression when you pass colleagues at work is (translated) "thank you for your hard work". Nice sentiment. At my business hotel, I onlyl received one bath type towel daily. So I asked the manager on duty if it would be possible to get two towels so I could towel-dry my very long hair. At first they provided it, but after about a week or so, the two towels stopped coming. I asked the manager about it and he explained that it was not possible to continue that practice. However, he was so ashamed that he had to renege on this that he went out and purchased me a 2nd towel out of his own pocket. It was his way of making good on his promise.

I also noticed that our interpreters (all women), spoke to us in one kind of voice, but when they spoke to the male producers had a much higher, girlish, subservient voice. Women's Lib has a way to go there.

I also found wildly annoying the cultural practice that it was okay for visitors to the theme park to come up on the stage WHILE I WAS PERFORMING !?!?, and stand next to me to have their picture taken by their friends! It was as if I was a prop, and not a real human being whose space and performance should be respected. It took a long time to communicate to the stage manager that he should keep them back until my brief set was finished, and then I would be happy to take as many photos as they wished. For a country that values respect, I was at a loss to understand this - it was so disrespectful!

I have been working and touring throughout Japan for 30 years. In my opinion some of this may be the case but this is a typical foreigners view of Japan and is not a true picture of someone who really knows what is going on. Sorry, outdated by about 20 years. Everyone does not have a job, the economy is in turmoil and children are dropping out of school and fighting the system. The population is ageing and the birthrate is dropping. This is a dangerous view for anyone starting a business here. It is not 1985 here anymore. Look at the case of McDonalds which is closing franchises right and left. A very superficial view in my opinion.

Thank you Derek for this wonderful and useful insight into Japanese culture! This has given me another valuable layer of context, while I'm currently learning to speak Japanese, for future travel there.

Interesting thoughts on Japanese culture. I find much of the philosphy admirable. Something for Americans to take a good look at and learn from...

I meet people from Japan mainly during travels (recently while diving in Guam - lots of them!). They are 'different' in a way that sometimes I find a little annoying. But we can learn a lot from them. Especially how to say 'no' - I have tried such approach a few times and it works!

Well, did business a few years back with a japanese company. we trained them on our product, then they stole it….. i'm sure not all Japanese are this way but left a bad taste with me. Noticed they said yes a lot. Yes meaning, I heard you not, yes I agree with you. I try to purchase american products where possible and stay away for the japanese as much as possible.

That`s why I am studying japanese.

I love this book already. I have been to Japan 5 times in 16 years and understand what I read. As I have seen or observed it .

Now thinking of buying the book.

Kind regards Barry

Educational for those who are not familiar with Japanese culture. It'll help lesson the frustration a bit.

Ahhhh yes.
Translation: "No" is a hard one for Americans.
Having lived in Dubai I learned that [saving face] was much more important
than telling the truth. The nonexistent "No" was a hard lesson to learn.
Derek, appreciating your quests as always!

Yes!
I've performed twice in Japan By your definition of Iki I was highly complimented on both occasions. I hadn't realized it was "the Japanese way".

Nice article Derek, I hope to have the chance to visit and work in Japan soon.
I think this opportunity it will be a great life experience..

Very lovely customs and respect. Thanks for sharing this, Derek. However, remembering the xenophobia and hatred of Americans in the early forties, the determination to continue the war despite obvious defeat, to give up only after the second bomb, and the horrors pursued by those who captured American sailors, plus the sadism of "Unbroken," gives some reservation to respect for the culture.

Having myself a close relationship with Japan, having spent the best years of my life there and still going there as often as I can, your post touched me since you obviously understood the essence of Japanese culture. Therefore I won’t try to reply longer cause I’d have to write a whole encyclopedia naming everything that’s great in the Rising Sun country.

Just a few points:

It is true that Japanese hardly say « no » clearly. More than just a matter of being polite, it leaves the opportunity open in case of a change of mind. They will not lose face by finally turning the “A little bit difficult” into a firm “Yes” if it happens to be a better choice on second thought. Smart.

Another big quality of Japanese culture is their attitude toward kindness. In many cultures, kindness rhymes with weakness. In Japan, it is a strength. And believe me, that makes a HUGE difference in terms of quality of life and relationships. Being kind (“yasashii”) is highly admired and in no case a sign of lacking personality.

The tatemae can be puzzling but once you get to know someone, the honne takes over. But always in a way that avoids to hurt. (although very rude Japanese people also exist, but it’s a minority).

To Arlene Faith (12): yes, there are drawbacks in Japanese culture too. Wonderful service and high-quality goods need a devotion to work that leads to a high rate of suicide, depressions, burn-out, broken families.
Street crime may be extremely rare, when it eventually occurs it is more violent and ugly than is less safe countries.
Killing whales is a dreadful part of their culture, like bullfighting in Spain. It doesn’t mean that every Japanese agrees, though.

To Nick (25): They usually are curious about foreign music and quite open to original stuff. Cover bands perform too but being original and creative with your own songs is more than welcome. Underground music is rather popular (paradox?), you can find lots of Live Houses all through the country, which are a mix between a café and a concert venue. It can be very small (some only allow twenty customers to come) but always very professional toward the artists.

Thanks for helping with those answers, Gilles! ☺ — Derek

Interestingly, there are one or two obvious parallels here between (well-bred!) British society/cultural practises, as well as the obvious similarity between most Latin cultures regarding use/non-use of the word 'No' which really jump out @ me…but what i notice most, is how some rudimentary understanding of Japanese culture helps to explain the truly dangerous present-day cover-up/non-disclosure of the fall-out (=literally!) from 2011 tragedy @ Fukishima - which has really been infuriating me, as higher levels of radioactivity start to show up on the West Coast of USA as well as here in Hawai'i…very helpful information, IMO; 'mahalo'!

Derek, I never thought reading something about Japan could change my life. It just did. Thank you once again with your insights, thoughts and your x-ray of a culture such as Japanese. Greetings from Medellín, Colombia.

Thanks for the essay, Derek!
As a long-timer here in Japan, I enjoyed this essay and found it largely spot on.
However, there were a few bits that struck me as a little off, or perhaps oversimplified. Of course, everyone has their own unique experiences and subsequent take on things, which I'm sure accounts for some of the discrepancies. FWIW, here's another angle on the issues, which might help to round out your understanding of Japan.

The term "iki" (粋)

I'm a Japanese-to-English translator who is fluent in Japanese and has lived and worked in Japan for over a quarter century, so I was surprised when I read your explanation of the word 'iki,' because I had never heard of it before. Feeling somewhat chagrined, I asked my Japanese wife about it, but she didn't recognize it either at first. After some thought, however, she did seem to remember that it was once used long ago. (BTW, she's fifty.) According to her, it is very outdated, and hasn't been in wide usage for several decades.

Japanese "harmony"

I've lived in Japan longer than many of your blog readers have been alive, and I love it here. However, no discussion of Japanese "harmony" ("wa" in Japanese) would be complete without an explanation of its dark side.
Firstly, you have to understand that, in the way that it is used on a day-to-day basis, it refers to something very different from the Western concept of harmony. It means something more akin to "lack of **open** resistance, opposition, or conflict within a group." This kind of harmony (lack of open conflict) is achieved through group pressure and conformity, which is often quite oppressive and unpleasant.
A constant complaint that I have heard from Japanese over the decades is how much they dislike the oppressive, smothering force caused by Japanese "harmony." They cite it as one of the major causes of the stress and unhappiness in their lives.
Although Japanese are widely known as having long lifespans, they also have one of the highest rates of stress-related illness, both psychological and physical, and suicide. This is borne out by my own experience, in which I have generally found Japanese to be considerably more stressed out than Westerners.
In fact, this is one of the main reasons they find their idealized image of the West so appealing--because they perceive Western culture as being largely free of the oppressive pressure to conform that besets Japanese. I spent several years working in Japanese-run companies here in Japan, and I can also attest from my own experience that stress caused by the need to maintain "wa" (harmony) is very real indeed, and frequently quite harmful to the individual.
To be honest, as a Western foreigner, I have generally been granted a considerable degree of leeway that was not available to my Japanese colleagues, who often suffered horribly under the inexorable pressure to hide their true feelings ("honne") and sacrifice their true self for the sake of maintaining the "harmony" of the group.

Regarding the Japanese hesitance to say "no"

The essay states:
"Japanese hardly ever use the word 'no'. Using it is considered very curt. Instead, there are many ways to say 'no' delicately, such as, 'A little bit…,' or 'This is very interesting,' or 'We will study your proposal,' or 'This is complicated but…' When someone says these things, they are very politely but clearly telling you 'no'."

In general, this is true, but it's not quite that simple. There are, in fact, times when that is exactly what they mean--in other words, "this is very interesting" or "we will study your proposal," etc.
Part of the stress Japanese experience is needing to differentiate between when someone actually means what they're saying (i.e., it's their "honne") and when they're trying to convey something indirectly (using "tatemae"), like trying to say "no" without doing so literally.
Japanese themselves struggle with this on a daily basis, and have frequently confided in me that they don't like this ambiguous aspect of Japanese culture and language, which they find very complicated ("yayakoshii"), and wish Japanese communication were simpler and more straightforward, like Western cultures.

The essay also states:
"An example: Imagine you want to buy a ticket and there are no seats left. The ticket salesperson won’t give you a straight answer like, 'There are no tickets left.'"

Actually, while I have found that Japanese do indeed do this in many situations, I haven't found this to be the case in the kind of situation described above. When wanting to buy a ticket at a train station or something at a store, they virtually always say straight out "I'm sorry, but we don't have any left" or "Sorry, but I'm afraid we're sold out."
Granted, I suppose this may be due to the fact that I live in the Kansai region, which includes cities like Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto, and is generally considered to be more forthright than the Kanto region (Tokyo, Yokohama, etc.). But I have spent some time in Tokyo and my wife lived there for several years, and neither of us feel the gap is that big between the two sub-cultures.

Living in Japan has suited me. I much prefer it to the States. However, I have to admit that a large part of this is likely due to the fact that I'm not exposed to quite the same pressure to conform (maintain "harmony") as Japanese are, because I am a Westerner, and seen by most Japanese as an outsider, and, as such, incapable of properly understanding their ways.
That said, however, my wife is Japanese and we have always spoken Japanese in our home with each other and our three children, and her side of the family has played a large part in our lives. Considering that, and the over two and half decades experience I've had working with Japanese in their language and culture, you could safely say that I've assimilated into Japanese culture much more thoroughly than most Westerners living in Japan, who typically only stay here for a few years.
☺ Thank you. — Derek

A note on the term "iki" (粋) / David mentions he is not familiar with the usage you mention. I work in the music industry here as artist development and management. Bands, musicians, and event organizers, use the term quite a bit. It is actually rather popular to express the idea of a "Japan cool: modern mixed with traditional aesthetic" when making music or putting an event together. I hear the term became popular again about 4 years ago within the music and art scenes.

! Interesting! Thank you too. — Derek

Thanks, Apryl! That explains a lot.

Thank you for this Derek, what you said also harmonizes with Chinese (Taoist) philosophies in particular the 4 virtues of Lao Tzu:

Reverence (respect) for all life / people
Kindness and gentleness
Sincerity and honesty
To be of service to others

I'm an American currently living in rural Japan. This excerpt shows an understanding of the face shown to the world. Live and work here, especially in the more rural areas and you'll find your Utopian image shattered. There are many ways to experience Japan, in a car and on the bullet trains will never show you the reality of it. Case in point, womens rights are virtually non- existent and in many cases downright absurd. How is that virtuous?

This is really wonderful Derek! Oddly, I try to live and work and sing and perform by very similar principles. My family raised me to be my best, and give humbly and the reward is simply that, making things better for all. Anyhow, thank you for this and it makes sense, based on the Japanese that I know.

There was a joke at the 20s:" There are four types of countries: the well-developed, the underdeveloped, Japan and Argentina". Some weeks ago The Economist put a sad Messi (the best soccer player, an Argentine) at the front page with the title: "The Argentine parable". The question was: Why a nation that was by its GDP per capita one of the six leading countries around 1914 felt into a toboggan during the next 100 years? There you have a question that academic people from diferent socioeconomic areas are trying to descipher and answer. Also being an academic myself(after being a bussines man) couldn´t help about writting my own opinion on the subject. But a prestigious Oxford researcher himself an Argentine finally wrote a paper "Argentine again?" and decided that only a literature book as a novel could do the explaining work. But a a famous Argentine writer had said twenty years before: "Argentina is a novel". "After all said and done", Don´t you think this problem deserves your originalapproach? (To be honest, I also ended writting a novel blaming to the Argentine type of society for the 100 years decadency, but I did it Spanish...my English is not to good, as you may notice.
Thank you very much if you got into the trouble of reading all this stuff.
Enrique.

Such a refreshing contrast from most of America. I wonder what would happen if the states adopted their mindset and virtues?

Your assessment is very fascinating and I have to agree with many of the comments here, but also note this is a really idyllic view of the culture as well. Much of what you view as "maintaining harmony" can also be used negatively to hide things like the stifling level of sexism in the society or truly atrocious war crimes (that many in Japan still deny ever happened, lest it sully their view of their 'enlightened' culture.) There positives and negatives to every culture, and it's importance to see both sides.

I think japan is a lovely country

Hello Derek,
indeed, a fascinating country and people. I'm a tall Aussie, and some of my experiences included:
1. Frequently hitting my head on my first visit, most doorways are not made for folk 190cm or taller;
2. Finding travel on a train in the late evening as safe as anywhere I have ever been, including Australia;
3. Finding most people very willing to help - on one occasion I was unsure about locating my hostel for the night and a fellow in a suit, on his way to work, walked with me for about 500m or so until I was on the right track;
4. Helping a Japanese man with painting his shed - he began by saying (in Japanese), take your time, take your time.....30 mins later....you are too slow!!!, hurry up, hurry up :)
5. Relaxing in a luxury hotel hot bath, with other men, where the bath could have comfortably held over over 100 people.
A country rich in traditions but quite complex to foreigners.
However, friendly people, efficient travel, beautiful countryside, amazing design in limited space and amazing food.

Great observations...
I haven't been in Japan since 1985. At the time I was on tour as vocalist with a major American Big Band from the WW2 era that still tours every year. The Japanese audiences were very generous- gorgeous flowers were presented to me after concerts at every venue. Our booking agents and bus driver were so helpful and kind and very professional. We traveled for 6 weeks performing all over Japan, but our main base for the tour was at a hotel in Tokyo. We were able to leave all of our luggage in a central area of the hotel with just a net draped over the luggage for days at a time. Nothing was disturbed. I had trouble with the language but learned a few words to try to communicate. I remember saying "Oyasumi nasai" to our bus driver one night and he was very touched. I would love to go back again someday.

Japan is crazy.

Comment #123 is about using literature to describe a country.

I would be interested in anyone's essay on how the "literature" of anime and manga, which surely includes wish fulfillment, (like Britain's 007) sheds a light on Japan. For example, anime may show a girl friend as believing in women's liberation.

For comment #30, I have Hiroo Onoda's memoirs at home. He includes lots of sketches, such as of home made sandals, to show what he means.

I found his memoirs moving. He was a soldier trying to do his best...

The authorities knew he was there, and at one point they tried having his brother speak into a microphone, but Onoda thought it was a spy imitating his brother.

I am glad that when he left the jungle his mother and father were still alive.

His memoir stops when he gets out. I wonder if he was ever happy again, because he would have been like a stranded time traveler.

Hi Derek, I am studying social anxiety disorder in the United States and also in Japan where I found out a similar disorder called Taijin kyofusho exists. I was wondering if you had any insights about how some of these cultural elements you've listed such as collectivism, and not wanting to say anything to offend others play a part in the development of Taijin kyofusho?
Sorry I don't — Derek

Great text, great synthesis!!!

I just finished writing an essay on Japanese culture myself. I only found your article because, after finishing I noticed I needed one more source in the bibliography. But honestly, your article is the only one I read. I can tell that you know what you’re talking about because everything you wrote ties to experiences I’ve had here, and helped me understand and articulate several things in a way that I wasn’t able to before. ありがとうございます。 I’d also like to affirm that the best possible interpretation of your description of Japan does exist, as I experienced it firsthand.
Thanks! To be clear, Héctor Garcia wrote this article, not me. — Derek