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Japanese Culture Vs American Culture

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Paulo Coelho states that “Culture makes people understand each other better. And if they understand each other better in their soul, it is easier to overcome the economic and political barriers” (Coelho, 2006). Coelho explains the universal truth that if you truly want to understand a person you need to understand their roots and where they come from. Japanese and American culture have a few similarities but have a lot of differences that form two very distinct cultures. Their differences can be traced from their beginnings and their founder’s beliefs. America was founded on principles of democracy, self-expression, and freedom, and Japan was founded as a kingdom with classes and divisions. Hofstede, a social psychologist, formulated five distinct …show more content…

Japan was founded as a kingdom and is now a unitary state. The U.S. Library of Congress states that “Japan has a unitary rather than a federal system of government, in which local jurisdictions largely depend on national government both administratively and financially” (Worden, 2002). Japan’s structure of government forms a social and political structure where the power is at the top and all authority is controlled by the central government and does not have any real power unless granted to it. This forms a culture where power and authority is ultimately controlled by the central government. Japan does have free elections but are ultimately limited in power by the central government (2013). The people are often not heard in their government which leads to low approval rates of politicians. Also in Japanese culture the CEO’s and presidents keep their decision making closed off and the employees are expected to follow the rules and be loyal to their decisions (Worden, 2002). With an over controlling central government and illusion of power given to the people in elections and local government Japanese culture has a high …show more content…

Over the years, America has become more and more progressive about women equality in the workplace, and breaking down gender roles and perceived notions in society about sexuality. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in their Gender Gap Report 2016, “The U.S. ranks 45th based on equality in the workplace and education system” (Mie, 2016). The country has come far in our education system to provide all genders with equal educational opportunity and women are able to hold the same jobs in the business world. Women and people of all genders are respected in culture and do not have a set role or limitation to their roles in society. On a more personal level, there are organizations such as LBTQ that support the community of people that identify in a range of sexualities and it is common place for people to be accepting in their conversations about women workers and leaders. It is looked at as socially unacceptable to be sexist towards women and wrong to be unaccepting. The male role in society is also flexible, he can be the caregiver or the provider depending on his relationship with his partner. Style is also flexible and unique to each person’s taste. Flexible gender roles, equal opportunity, and a general cultural

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1920s- In the 1920s Japan became progressively more democratic when i 1925 all men got the right to vote(Women didn’t get the right to vote until 1945). Their interested with the ideal of economic liberalism also grew. Japan tried this economic ideal but they soon became frustrated because of the barriers in their trading set up when the economic depression hit the western nations. (Ignore that it was to protect the western colonial market.)

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According to History.com [3], “Under the leadership of Adolf Hitler (1889-1945), the National Socialist German Workers’ Party, or Nazi Party, grew into a mass movement and ruled Germany through totalitarian means from 1933 to 1945.” So, during the time of WWII, in the Pacific theater, Nazism was the dominating political system. In Japan (Taisho and Early Showa Period [4]), “During the 1930s, the military established almost complete control over the government.” In the Pacific Theater, Japan was a Militaristic country, so the military controlled almost everything, while the Emperor was more of a figurehead, with little power. These two forms of government are very different.

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Summary of Evidence Japan had been ruled a Bakufu government since 1192 to 1967. This form of government included a ruling class of shogun (warlord/generals). These shogun had almost all governmental power, and the emperor was left as a religious symbol or figure head (De Bary 120) The regime made by the first Tokugawa (Ieyasu Tokugawa) was a Bakufu government that lasted for 250 years. (De Bary 121)

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After the war the new constitution drafted by the united states made japan into a constitutional monarchy so that sovereignty would lay with the people instead

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Between our daily rituals, our religion, and styles of speech, we are extremely different than africa, but we also have some similarities. The united states is pretty much a whole different world compared to the igbo culture in africa. Im sure many people have wondered what it would be like to live in a different part of the world, and in this essay, you should get a better understanding in the similarities and differences between the igbo culture and the united states. In english class, we have read a book called Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe, and have learned some things about how the igbo culture was and how they ran society. Some of the things they did would be completely wrong to do here in america.

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In the 1800s there were many cultural differences surrounding Japan and the United States that directly resulted in differences in the opening of trade. The two countries shared the focus on the future and growth and development, however their ideology and methodology towards growth greatly differed. The Japanese culture placed a strong emphasis and focus on harmony, known as Wa, amongst their people and their country. This ideology is clearly seen through the Tokugawa’s leadership and their decision to close the country off to immigration, integration, and trade. This opposes the American ideology that favors Manifest Destiny and the interaction of nations.

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The Maasai culture and the culture of most Americans are similar and different in a variety of ways. One way that America is like the Maasai is that, overall women, in America still tend to do housework while the men are expected to work and provide for the family. Although these roles are less enforced and defined in America, they still exist. Also, both cultures have partiarchial societies. Again, although this type of society is not as strict in America, it is still there.

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Since 1995, Japan’s dominant political party has been the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). However, in August of 2009, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won the election by a landslide and became the dominant political party. That is, until 2012, when the LDP regained dominance once again. Even though the LDP had failed to win majorities before, the 2009 election was big news because not only did it lose majority but it also finished a distant second to the new majority DPJ. The drastic change in dominance in the 2009 election raises questions about why the LDP lost power and why it was able to bounce back three years later?

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I was born and raised up in South Korea for twenty years, and thus I know Korean culture very well. I also understand American culture as well, because I lived and worked with Americans for four years. I decided to choose this topic, because in my experience, I have noticed a lots of differences between Korean culture and American culture; for example how Korean or American treat older people, how Korean or American act in the gym, and about the differences in foods. I picked those subjects because I have experienced the Koreans and Americans side well enough to understand both and I’m currently in South Korea with military men and women. I have Korean friends and American friends spending time together sometimes, and then I can observes differences and similarities.

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The Impact of Culture and Gender Roles Heather Richardson-Barker Drexel University Society has clearly defined boundaries between what is considered to be male or female. The development of an individual’s gender role is formed by interactions with those in close proximity. Society constantly tells us how we should look, act and live based on gender, as well as the influence of family, friends and the media have a tremendous impact on how these roles are formed and the expected behavior of each gender role. The term Gender, as defined by the United Nations, includes the psychological, social, cultural, and behavioral characteristics associated with being female or male. It further defines acceptable

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Anime has been part of my life since the 7th grade. It has comfort me through the good and though times. The anime community has been a big impact in America and holds an annual expo for anime fan. The cartoons in U.S. are normally made for children entertainment. Unlike Japanese anime the entertainment is for children, teenagers and adults.

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Coming to the cultural differences between Americans and Indians, the Indians are very much family oriented and much respect is paid to family values. On the other side, Americans culture values individual values and is more prominent than the family values. Another difference is that American culture appreciates mobility while the Indian culture love stability. On the other side, Americans think of self-reliance and independence while Indians are more dependent on other. Lastly, Indians value elders’ views in the decision-making process while the American culture teaches people to make their own decisions.

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It is important to note, however, in regards to the Japanese monarchy or the Emperor Institution, that sovereign dictatorship was always denounced, as is strongly argued by Hajime Nakamura. Japan's rulers dealt with people with affection and

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The Japanese political and legal system presents a complex picture. On the one hand, Japan is a democratic state, with strong civic and legal institutions. On the other hand, the country has characteristics of nondemocratic systems. It is a democracy yet just one party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has run the country almost continuously since the end of World War II. Japan is highly bureaucratic as well.

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