Material and Non-material Examples of Japans Differences
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slide 7
Slide 8
Slide 9
Slide 10
Slide 11
Change Continuity and
Slide 12
Four Key Concepts n Culture n Group orientation n Individual
self-expression n Universalistic principles n Readings: Text
chapters 12-16
Slide 13
Culture n A process of transmission or passing on of traditions
n A process of innovation, adaptation, and creation of new
traditions
Slide 14
Components of Culture n Material Things n Non-Material Things n
Patterns of Behavior
Slide 15
Any resemblance?
Slide 16
Slide 17
Politics remains a family affair in Japan Sons of
parliamentarians account for many election hopefuls n 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. n 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. n 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.
Slide 18
Patterns of Behavior n A pattern of behavior is a way of acting
that is shared with few people or with many and which ties them
together.
Slide 19
Why?: Social Capital n Relationships have value enhancing
productivity and improve quality of life n Some benefits go
directly to individuals others are shared by society
(externalities) n Creates norms of trust and reciprocity that
reduce cheating and other forms of opportunism n Bonding SC creates
exclusive binds exclusive groups into strong identities (e.g.
ethnic groups, families). n Bridging SC creates inclusive ties
bringing people from different backgrounds together (e.g.
professions, politics).
Slide 20
Structures of relations are ordered and set linkages among
people Examples n Two way relationships among people n Networks n
Hierarchies Formal and Informal
Slide 21
Hierarchies n Organizations n Society
Slide 22
Patterns of Behavior n Are a shifting balance between group
orientation, universal principles, and individual expression
Slide 23
Group Orientation Group orientation is the tendency of people
in a society to see themselves primarily as members of a group and
to behave according to the values and rules of the group.
Slide 24
Japanese Groups the family (kinship patterns); neighborhoods
and villages; classrooms and schools; sport clubs and art schools;
companies and inter-firm groups (keiretsus); Political parties and
government departments; Alternative groups (e.g. Yakuza, motorcycle
gangs, cosplay, hip-hop, lolitas, etc.).
Slide 25
Universal Principals Universal principles are the common values
and rules that bind together the people of a society or a
nation.
Slide 26
Japanese Universal Principals Based on: Confucianism; Religion
(Shinto, Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity); Scientific rationality;
Socialism and Capitalism; Authoritarianism and Democracy.
Slide 27
Individual Expression Individual expression is the common need
of all persons to establish self-identity and pursue their own
interests.
Slide 28
Is individual expression achieved alone or with others?
Slide 29
n The most important feature of individual expression in Japan
is that strength of character is not judged by how independent a
person can be, but by how they can work with people.
Slide 30
What balance between the group, the individual, and universal
principles? n In Hong Kong? n In Japan?
Slide 31
The Japanese Balance n Universalistic principles, group
orientation, and individual self-expression are all three present
to some degree in all societies, but the Japanese may differ from
other modernized peoples in recognizing more openly their
conflicting pulls and bending more clearly than in most in the
direction of group solidarity (Reischauer 1995:140).
Slide 32
Relation to the rest of the course The Setting History Society
Economics Politics
Slide 33
Culture Review n Japan is Different: why? n Culture: way of
transmitting that difference over time n Patterns of behaviour:
most important difference because they shape human welfare u They
have value and structure u Patterns persist over time, but evolve n
Three main influences: group orientation, universal principals, and
individual expression n Human behavior is a balance of these three
needs
Slide 34
Next Section n The Setting u The Natural Environment u
Agriculture and Natural Resources u Isolation and Impacts