Cultural Differences in Japan: Group Orientation and Individual Expression, Slides of History

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Is Japan different

from other countries?

If so, what makes Japan

different?

Material and Non-material

Examples of Japan’s

Differences

Change

Continuity

and

Culture

 A process of transmission or

passing on of traditions

 A process of innovation,

adaptation, and creation of

new traditions

Components of Culture

 Material Things

 Non-Material Things

 Patterns of Behavior

Any resemblance?

Politics remains a family affair in Japan

Sons of parliamentarians account for many

election hopefuls

 Talk of reform is dominating Japan's upcoming parliamentary

ballot, but is not affecting one long-standing political tradition -

children following in the footsteps of their lawmaker parents.

 The tradition is deeply rooted. Prime Minister Junichiro

Koizumi's father and grandfather were lawmakers, and when

late prime minister Keizo Obuchi suffered a fatal stroke in

2000, his daughter Yuko ran for his seat and won.

 This year will be no different. A quarter of the 480-seat lower

house is made up of second- or third-generation lawmakers,

and about 40 per cent of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's

candidates are descendants of parliamentarians.

Why?: Social Capital

 Relationships have value enhancing productivity

and improve quality of life

 Some benefits go directly to individuals others

are shared by society (externalities)

 Creates norms of trust and reciprocity that

reduce cheating and other forms of opportunism

 Bonding SC creates exclusive binds exclusive

groups into strong identities (e.g. ethnic groups,

families).

 Bridging SC creates inclusive ties bringing

people from different backgrounds together (e.g.

professions, politics).

Structures of relations

are ordered and set linkages among people

Examples

 Two way relationships among people

 Networks

 Hierarchies

Formal and Informal