I was sitting in a nearby park the other day and saw two dog owners approach each other as their dogs pulled them toward the other. As they let their dogs exchange formalities I noticed how the two owners didn't say a single word nor really look at each other. They just let their dogs do their thing and moved on as if the other person didn't exist. It was bizarre.
This reminded me of a time where I came across someone who mentioned how their impression of Japan as being "crowded, yet lonely". After pondering my experiences in the country up until now, here are some things I've taken note of:
First and foremost, Japan culture is very group-oriented, so the people tend to be more reserved when it comes to voicing their opinions or standing out from the rest. Unless you are in their circle or clique, they tend to mind their own business. As a foreigner you might be stared at here and there (because although there are more and more foreigners coming to the country, if you don't live in a major city you may very well be one of the very few foreigners the people have seen in person), but it is less common for people to go out of their way to start a conversation with you. Of course, if you're the one initiating the conversation, they'll likely be happy to talk or help you out. It's become quite common for Japanese people to take English lessons so they can communicate with foreigners.
This can be both good and bad. On the plus side, people tend to mind their own business and not stick their noses where they don't belong. People generally don't give you trouble and often ask for your input when making decisions (which can get annoying after a while). However, it also means the bystander effect is much more potent in Japanese society as a result. I've heard stories of people getting beaten in the middle of a crowded street with nobody doing a thing because they don't want to be involved. Part of it has to do with saving face and another with not wanting to make the situation worse for the victim. It's far from perfect, but like anything, there's a shadow to every light.
In other words, the Japanese are united, yet alone in their struggle for modern survival.
I've also noticed that there are many unspoken rules the people follow so they don't stick out of the crowd. One person I talked to who was half-Japanese, half-Korean told me that she was seeking a job that dealt with foreigners because she "wanted to remain human". There are jokes about how Japanese people are robots or how we don't have souls, but there is some truth in them.
From an early age the Japanese are taught to obey (not respect, obey) their elders and authoritative figures. This starts with their teachers, then to their bosses once they enter the work-force. In Japan, it can be very difficult to get a good job if you don't enter the work-force immediately after graduating college. They value the business culture - one of conformity - and not getting a job right after graduation is seen as a sign of not being able to assimilate well.
What it really means is that they think those who decide to take breaks to travel, take a break, etc. before entering the work-force are more likely to develop strong individualistic values. This means that they're less likely to obey orders without question and that is seen as a liability to the company. From a Western standpoint, it means they don't value individuality or creativity. They focus on their methods of achieving productivity, which creates high consistency, but limits their growth in innovation.
Of course, there are plenty of creative people in Japan; however, the conditioning they go through can often make it very hard for them to fully blossom. Tourists who talk about how awesome and amazing Japan is are going to Japan specifically to find the cool aspects of it. They aren't dealing with the 8:00 a.m. rush-hour every morning, which is quite boring and underwhelming.
Once the novelty of Japan's streets wear off, you realize that much of Japan is quite behind technologically or is the same as any other street. It's a bit dreary after a while, which I believe is one of the major contributing factors to their high suicide rate. Another being how they generally don't openly talk about societal problems and how to deal with them. Almost as if they're trying to deny their existence even if it's dangling right in front of them.
The last thing I want to mention is the influence of social media in Japan. Not so long ago, Japan was known for being in the forefront of the mobile phone industry. That was when I was a child. Now, everyone wants the new Samsung, iphone, Android, etc. Regardless, Japan's mobile gaming and social media industry has been present for a long time and if I see people walking around or sitting on the train, there's hardly a time where I won't see someone looking down and glued to their phone (whether it's a game or facebook). If they're not on their phone, people tend to still look down and not make eye-contact toward others. Of course, there are plenty of exceptions. I say 'hi' to a sweet old shop-keep every time I pass her on my way to work and sometimes people will greet me as we pass each other, but they're the exceptions.
I'm not trying to paint Japan as a gloomy place that isolates people emotionally. I have friends and I am enjoying my time here; however, like any country it's not perfect. As I've spent nearly 4 months here, I'm beginning to see some of the darker sides of Japan and I'm certain that I still have much to see and learn. I still recommend that people visit the land of anime, sushi, and absurd game-shows. There's a lot of beauty despite its flaws. It's all about your perspective and attitude when coming here.
Peace
This reminded me of a time where I came across someone who mentioned how their impression of Japan as being "crowded, yet lonely". After pondering my experiences in the country up until now, here are some things I've taken note of:
First and foremost, Japan culture is very group-oriented, so the people tend to be more reserved when it comes to voicing their opinions or standing out from the rest. Unless you are in their circle or clique, they tend to mind their own business. As a foreigner you might be stared at here and there (because although there are more and more foreigners coming to the country, if you don't live in a major city you may very well be one of the very few foreigners the people have seen in person), but it is less common for people to go out of their way to start a conversation with you. Of course, if you're the one initiating the conversation, they'll likely be happy to talk or help you out. It's become quite common for Japanese people to take English lessons so they can communicate with foreigners.
This can be both good and bad. On the plus side, people tend to mind their own business and not stick their noses where they don't belong. People generally don't give you trouble and often ask for your input when making decisions (which can get annoying after a while). However, it also means the bystander effect is much more potent in Japanese society as a result. I've heard stories of people getting beaten in the middle of a crowded street with nobody doing a thing because they don't want to be involved. Part of it has to do with saving face and another with not wanting to make the situation worse for the victim. It's far from perfect, but like anything, there's a shadow to every light.
In other words, the Japanese are united, yet alone in their struggle for modern survival.
I've also noticed that there are many unspoken rules the people follow so they don't stick out of the crowd. One person I talked to who was half-Japanese, half-Korean told me that she was seeking a job that dealt with foreigners because she "wanted to remain human". There are jokes about how Japanese people are robots or how we don't have souls, but there is some truth in them.
From an early age the Japanese are taught to obey (not respect, obey) their elders and authoritative figures. This starts with their teachers, then to their bosses once they enter the work-force. In Japan, it can be very difficult to get a good job if you don't enter the work-force immediately after graduating college. They value the business culture - one of conformity - and not getting a job right after graduation is seen as a sign of not being able to assimilate well.
What it really means is that they think those who decide to take breaks to travel, take a break, etc. before entering the work-force are more likely to develop strong individualistic values. This means that they're less likely to obey orders without question and that is seen as a liability to the company. From a Western standpoint, it means they don't value individuality or creativity. They focus on their methods of achieving productivity, which creates high consistency, but limits their growth in innovation.
Of course, there are plenty of creative people in Japan; however, the conditioning they go through can often make it very hard for them to fully blossom. Tourists who talk about how awesome and amazing Japan is are going to Japan specifically to find the cool aspects of it. They aren't dealing with the 8:00 a.m. rush-hour every morning, which is quite boring and underwhelming.
Once the novelty of Japan's streets wear off, you realize that much of Japan is quite behind technologically or is the same as any other street. It's a bit dreary after a while, which I believe is one of the major contributing factors to their high suicide rate. Another being how they generally don't openly talk about societal problems and how to deal with them. Almost as if they're trying to deny their existence even if it's dangling right in front of them.
The last thing I want to mention is the influence of social media in Japan. Not so long ago, Japan was known for being in the forefront of the mobile phone industry. That was when I was a child. Now, everyone wants the new Samsung, iphone, Android, etc. Regardless, Japan's mobile gaming and social media industry has been present for a long time and if I see people walking around or sitting on the train, there's hardly a time where I won't see someone looking down and glued to their phone (whether it's a game or facebook). If they're not on their phone, people tend to still look down and not make eye-contact toward others. Of course, there are plenty of exceptions. I say 'hi' to a sweet old shop-keep every time I pass her on my way to work and sometimes people will greet me as we pass each other, but they're the exceptions.
I'm not trying to paint Japan as a gloomy place that isolates people emotionally. I have friends and I am enjoying my time here; however, like any country it's not perfect. As I've spent nearly 4 months here, I'm beginning to see some of the darker sides of Japan and I'm certain that I still have much to see and learn. I still recommend that people visit the land of anime, sushi, and absurd game-shows. There's a lot of beauty despite its flaws. It's all about your perspective and attitude when coming here.
Peace
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| Despite being so cluttered together, the space between these walls can seem infinite |
How would you describe your hometown?
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