Comparing and Contrasting Japanese and American Cultures - Case Study Example

COMPARING AND CONTRASTING JAPANESE AND AMERICAN CULTURES Name Institution Instructor Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Entertainment Culture in America and Japan 4 Women in Japanese and United States Cultures 5 Communication 7 The Individual in Japan and the United States 9 Conclusion 11 References 11 Introduction Culture is a very significant tool that plays an important role when it comes to the definition of a group of people, determination of their lifestyles, definition of their traditions and also the manner in which they are viewed by other people. There are a variety of cultures globally which brings about diversity. These cultures vary greatly and widely from one group of people to the other. The variation happens in the sense and to an extent that customs and culture that are regarded as being normal to one country group of people may actually appear to be strange and to a different group of people or to a different country. However, for some different countries or group of people, there are common grounds and similarities that that may exist as far as their cultures and customs are concerned (Rahim, 2008). There are different cultures that exist in different societies. Different cultures exist through different customs as well as educations. A comparison of the American and Japanese bring out a lot of differences in the society. It is not always easy to comprehend the culture in Japan when it is assessed externally. The Japanese culture is that which is homogenous and unique. This is because the country has been naturally secluded with regard to its own preferences to an extent outsiders find it much difficult to reside in this country. Since in the United States there is a very low cultural context and in Japan it is very high, the two countries find it a bit difficult to freely interact. This happens mostly because of the existence of language barrier between the two countries. More often when it comes to business transactions being carried out between the two countries internationally, the Japanese can be able to use English language for communication but the Americans can rarely communicate in Japanese native language (Healey, 2012). It is, therefore, very important to learn to communicate in more than one language as part of the education system in countries that are out to embrace and appreciate cultural diversity. This idea is not given a lot of emphases in the countries. A number of barrier that need to be overcome appear to be overwhelming. The culture in Japan is such a way that it has a tendency to embrace silence and believe that other people will be able to understand and interpret the meaning of their feelings. However, for those in the United States who are in the habit of speaking their minds during self-expression, but at the same time failing in sharing their opinion becomes frustrating. The manner in which the Japanese and the Americans carry out business largely differs owing to their different cultures (Diener & Kahneman, 2010). Entertainment Culture in America and Japan Looking at entertainment in both the America and Japan with regard to difference and similarities in their cultures, it comes out clear that both countries put a lot of emphases on video and film as the entertainment modes. In America, the act of media paying much attention to the introduction of new film as well as release of new television premiers is a very common thing and everybody seems to be comfortable with that. On a similar note, In Japan a lot of focus in the area of entertainment is made on motion images and pictures. This happens in attempts by the Japanese to encourage and promote the sector and industry of animation. Just as much as the popularity of animated videos and cinemas is increasing in the culture of the Americans, In the Japanese culture also, highly embraces the promotion and popularity of anime videos and films. This manner of similarities in cultures goes to an extent of formulating a cultural linkage that operates between the two countries where some of the most popular films in Japan are also commonly watched in the United States (Pajares, 2006). Women in Japanese and United States Cultures Japan and the United States may be having common interests with regard to a number of issues, entertainment being one of the, but it is important to bear in mind that these are two countries that are very different and far apart in terms of location on the globe. This is a fact that actually brings about differences in the lifestyles of people living in these two countries. However, with regard to the nature of respect that is accorded to women in these two countries, there is a major difference. In the United States, women are treated with a lot more respect in comparison in the nature of respect that in accorded to the women, where the society in marred with the problems and cultural issues that appear to promote gender in equality. It is almost clear that in the United States that the contribution made at various workplaces by women is valued and also their productivity is treated with a lot of emphases (Healey, 2012). However, due to the high respect accorded to the women in the United States, institutions and organizations are able to recognize the rights that are due to women and grant them. This happens especially with regard to the nature of their working and job schedule. In contrast, the happening of things in Japan is completely different. This is because according to research findings, it has been found that culture in Japan especially that which concerns women is very discriminative against women. This has extends even to the places of work whereby female workers are actually denied opportunities to take leaves or absenteeism from work to provide care for their babies or families when in need. In the United States though, other than some cases that are considered extreme, in considered abnormal for a woman to be denied her right to be absent from work for a given duration of time to provide care to her family and her newborn baby. In the Japanese culture, it is more common for women to stay at work (Thomson & White, 2008). This is perhaps happening in manner because of the absence of political reform initiatives that are progressive in mobilizing the society to put emphases on the rights of women. The diversity of cultures in various societies plays a significant role in shaping individual who identify themselves with various societies. This process of shaping ones values, beliefs and behavior through culture starts early in the life of and individual and is made stronger by the cultural values held by the given society as well as the social institutions present. Research studies done have able to reveal that children interact with their teachers and parents by embracing collectivism approach which is a cultural value in Japan (Rahim, 2008). Teacher in the United States basically instill into their students the attitude of self-reliance. The differences that exist between the cultures in these two countries clearly indicate the way in which the education systems and teaching values are carried forward to the future generations. While the reason for the effect of cultural ideology is not certain, it has been found that students in the United States are more deviant that the Japanese students as far as cultural issues are concerned. This finding appears to be in line with the view that is held by cultures in the East which place a lot of emphases on obedience and compliance as a way of reducing deviance in the youths in their societies (Diener & Kahneman, 2010). While cultures in the United States and Japan are the important in this discussion, several other cultures find themselves in this dichotomy. Cultures that are interdependent instill compliance and obedience into their youth while those that are independent embrace autonomy and self-reliance. Observations made from studies conducted on American and Japanese mothers specifically in New York and in Tokyo have revealed the Tokyo mothers attempted to be in control of their children’s gaze while the opposite happened with mothers in the United States. In both cultures, there was display of authority from the mother over the children as well as enforced compliance and obedience at very early ages (Pike, 2007). Communication Differences in culture between Japan and the United States extend to also include customs that are observed during greetings as well as other forms of communications between human. This difference occurs even though greetings are considered to be very simple form of human communication. These differences in the nature of greetings involve the manner of introducing one’s self as well as departure. Other that these manner of differences, there the reason that brings about the differences and this is the fact that while the Japanese culture embraces greetings that are non-verbal the Americans make use of verbal greetings. In the United States, when it comes to introduction, elderly individuals become the first ones to be introduced before everybody else is introduced (Pajares, 2006). On the contrary, in Japan tradition demands that young people be the first ones to be introduced and anyone who goes against this rule is seen as being rude. The manner in which self-introduction is done is done also varies between Japan and the United States. An inductive way of introduction that demonstrates the general idea is preferred by the Americans and for this reason they would rather talk about their privacy as a way of beginning their conversation to people who are new to them. Virtually all United States’ students talk about themselves or their families. On the contrary, in Japan the preferred way is that which is deductive. This means in Japan, individuals prefer taking about places that they belong to (Healey, 2012). For instance an individual from Japan will begin by talking about his major or university then followed by the club in which he belongs. He ends by talking about the recent events in which he participated or his hobbies. Departure communications in the cultural setting in the United States as well as in Japan are dependent on the closeness in the relationship of the people involved. The people in the United States just use one word ‘bye’ when mentioning departure. A variety of cultural practices have got a certain influence on every aspect of life, education, family dynamic, economics and religion among others. In the United States, the cultural practices are electric in a variety of ways taking into consideration a wide range of ethnicities that exist in the United States (Thomson & White, 2008). In the Japanese culture, views from the religion point of view have a tendency to agree with views that are liberal on sexual expression and family dynamic. When it comes to comparative features of cultures at the cultural global map, Japan is describes by survey as average in terms self-expression values. The roles associated with gender in the Japanese culture are the exact opposite when compared to some of the American traditional gender roles. It is typical for a wife to handle and be in full control of the finances in the household. She becomes the one to give monthly allowance to her husband and has also got full control the remaining portion of the family income (Rahim, 2008). The Individual in Japan and the United States Other than the difference in the manner in which women are treated, Cultures in Japan and in the United States, there are also differences in the manner in which the society culturally views individuals in these countries. In the United States the individualistic culture in is one that is really embraced. In this particular culture, individuals consider themselves as being separated from every other person, while at the same time striving very hard to become the finest among others as well as in attaining the best of their personal goals and targets. In the Japanese culture on the other hand, individuals appear to embrace the attitude of a collective nation. In this culture, the aim of individuals is be benevolent and helpful to others while finding joy in identifying themselves with the members of their community as opposed to individual characteristics and values (Pajares, 2006). Essentially, the culture of collectivism in Japan motivates individuals to join d identify themselves with groups and operate in accordance with the norms that are embraced by such groups. This is much different from the individualistic culture in the United States where it is normal and more acceptable to deviate from the norms of the society. Americans believe that this culture provides opportunities for individuals to explore and exploit their unique talents and characteristics. In the Japanese culture, uniqueness is not something that would be encouraged or even embraced as is the case in the United States. With individual in the United States opting to go by the individualistic culture and those in Japan preferring to embrace the collectivist culture, it clearly comes out that customs as well as cultures in these two countries have got differences. The two countries have varied differences however they both regard popular culture highly, especially those that are associated with entertainment (Diener & Kahneman, 2010). In the United States culture, a dominant attitude is exhibited. This attitude is one that makes the American suggest that their products as well as their endorsements are carried out in an enthusiastic and emphatic manner. On the contrary in the Japanese culture, this kind of mentality is regarded as offensive and one that does not agree with their culture. When it comes to other job cultural aspects, the managers working in the Japanese markets have a tendency to fear the market. They become apprehensive when it comes to promotion of their companies, whereas the Americans have got a culture of aggressiveness and usually experience very few qualms concerning the promotion of their products and services in both global and domestic markets (Healey, 2012). Differences that are definite exist between low and high cultural contexts like America and Japan. The two being countries that are located on the opposite ends of the globe, there is a wide diversity that exists between their cultures. This diversity can be easily overcome through getting to learn about a variety of cultures especially with countries one is involved in business. Due to the fact that in the Japanese cultures managers put a lot of importance on the body language as compared to the communication done verbally, the managers who are responsible when it comes to global business are expected to learn effective ways of communication so as not to be offensive to other cultures (Rahim, 2008). Conclusion Links that exist between countries with different cultures play very significant roles in assisting people who come from a diversity of groups to understand and appreciate customs, values and views from other people in a better way. There are several different cultures in the United States; therefore values are not the same for cultures that are different. Families in the United States have got different values which vary from one culture to the other. Typically families in the Unites States highly values the idea of making choices with regard to religion, carrier among other aspects of human life as a way of ensuring that everyone is happy, has freedom and is also entitled to his or her privacy. In the Japanese culture however, this would be regarded as a major lack of love and respect for the community at large. References Diener, E., Helliwell, J. F., & Kahneman, D. (2010). International differences in well-being. Oxford [u.a.], Oxford Univ. Press. Gelfand, M. J., Chiu, C.-Y., & Hong, Y.-Y. (2011). Advances in Culture and Psychology. Volume 1 Volume 1. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Healey, J. F. (2012). Diversity and Society: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender, 2011/2012. Thousand Oaks, Calif, Pine Forge Press/Sage. ICMI Study Conference, Leung, F. K. S., Graf, K.-D., & Lopez-Real, F. J. (2006). Mathematics Education In Different Cultural Traditions A Comparative Study Of East Asia and the West. New York, Pajares, F. (2006). Self-efficacy Beliefs of Adolescents. Greenwich, Conn, IAP, Information Age Publ. Pike, R. E. (2007). Japanese Education: Selective Bibliography Of Psychosocial Aspects. Fremont, Calif, BooksPlus. Rahim, M. A. (2008). Current Topics in Management. Volume 13 (2008), Volume 13 (2008). New Brunswick, N.J., Transaction Publishers. Tabb, W. K. (1995). The Postwar Japanese System Cultural Economy and Economic Transformation. New York, Oxford University Press. Thomson, E., & White, P. R. R. (2008). Communicating Conflict Multilingual Case Studies of the News Media. London, Continuum International Pub. Group. Wilkening, K. E. (2004). Acid Rain Science and Politics in Japan: a History of Knowledge and Action Toward Sustainability. Cambridge, Mass. [u.a.], MIT Press. Read More