Cosmopolitanism, Meaning and Interpretation - Essay Example

After reading Koichi Iwabuchi’s article, one term that candidly stood out for me is cosmopolitanism. Cosmopolitanism, according to the reading, implies the idea that human beings, Japanese in this scenario, originated from a common ancestry and we, therefore, share a lot.

Common ancestry implies that we share several ideas, customs, and behaviors thus making the world one big union of strangers. It is from the cosmopolitanism ideology that we all belong to the world despite our ethnic and racial differences that Koichi notes “Japan is represented and represents itself as a culturally and racially homogenous and uniquely particularistic by way of a strategic binary opposition between two imaginary cultural entities…” (Koichi, 2005; p. 104).

From this, it becomes clear that actually, humanity belongs to the world and should be free to move from place to place. The cultural, racial, and political entities that have served to divide human beings are imaginary; since we all belong to this world and we are equal to the people we find in other places that we might visit. Since we belong to this world, it is, therefore, surprising that some Japanese discriminate against others. The realization that we share many aspects should help in creating mutual respect rather than enmity and animosity or the kind of discrimination perpetuated by the media in today’s society.

Moreover, the Japanese nihonjinron should describe how unique Japanese culture is as well as indicate that it somehow ties to some global cultures just to bring about the whole notion of worldliness. Cosmopolitanism further connotes a scenario where our diversity does not distance us from fellow human beings, but rather brings us closer to the creation of a global community. We live in a globalized world where cultural exchanges are a reality. Cosmopolitanism implies the inclusion of all despite our differences whether at home, in Olympic Games, in FIFA World, workplace, or in any other place where human interaction can occur.

It is saddening that indeed, cultural politics are continuously destroying the positive associations that we should be having because we are all human beings and perceptibly, from common ancestry, and share a lot (Breckenridge, 2002; p. 172). The foreigners might express anger and frustration with the Japanese society merely because we do not treat them in a way that portrays how we appreciate them and regard them as brothers and sisters. From the abovementioned meaning of cosmopolitanism, they should feel at home since they are in their world.

This can be attained by treating them more realistically. In conclusion, I believe that cosmopolitanism, as used by Koichi, means that we all belong to this world, and should not treat our neighbors with contempt. They belong to this world and should feel comfortable whether in Japan or any other country. Our love for our cultures and country should not overshadow the meaning of cosmopolitanism as this will only serve to muddle world peace, harmony, and collaboration.