Gung Ho

Presentation By:

A Japanese car company,

Assan Motos, buys a plant

located in the small town of

Hadleyville, Pennsylvania.

Hunt Stevenson (Michael

Keaton) must act as a mediator

to control the cultural clash

between American workers and

Japanese managers.

Synopsis

Shame and Honor

Bushido – “Way of the Warrior”

It is a code of conduct that many samurai

follow.

One must show a great deal of loyalty,

humility, courage and respect.

In the 11th century, if Bushido was not

demonstrated by a Japanese samurai,

the result was harakiri.

Harakiri – death by cutting one’s own

stomach. This was considered an

honorable death.

Shame and Honor

American Culture – We deal with guilt, not shame.

We care more about our individual freedoms instead of

our society as a whole.

Japanese Culture – Once shame is placed on a family,

It cannot be removed until society says otherwise.

What others believe is much more important in the Japanese

culture. They must save face if shamed.

47 Ronin

Example of Shame

Ribbons of Shame

In this scene, Oishi is in

the management training

class.

He has shamed his company

and his family. He is required

to wear Ribbons of shame.

These ribbons represent how

much shame he has brought

upon himself and his loved ones.

The Japanese symbols placed

on these ribbons detail their

mistakes and what they’re being

shamed for.

Gung Ho

Ribbons of Shame

In America, we value individualism and

respectfully, Japan respects the group.

There’s a term that the Japanese use that

is translated through their culture called

amae.

It’s a dynamic concept that is shown early

on in their lives and are later translated

into workplaces

(i.e. the company depends on me, I

depend on the company. Inderdepence

which is the complete opposite of

individualism (pg. 176)

Cultural Values

甘えAmae

America

We want to feel special:

On various occasions, the men feel like even

If they come close to their goal they should

have a reward.

The workers want their bosses to understand

them when they need to leave work early

because of a child’s event or if they are sick.

(oral surgery scene with child)

(Bike building scene)

They want them to be more empathetic.

Cultural Values

In this next clip, Mr. Stevenson makes a deal with Kaz that guarantees

that his men will make just as many cars as the Japanese can.

When Hunt goes back and tells the men what he has purposed the men

to do, they are so enthused by beating the “Japanese” that they

disregard the amount of cars they must make in order to beat the

Japanese. Until a man in the crowd says, well what if we don’t get that

much?

Low Context Vs. High Context Culture

Low Context –

High Context -

The norm for Japanese women is to excuse themselves when

men have “business” to discuss.The non verbals that the

Japanese exhibit to the American women and how the American

women doesn’t get the hint! There’s a line where she says, “I’m

not bothering anyone right?” “See, it’s okay!”

Japanese Cultural Norm: “Women”

Haptic Communication

Japanese culture : Don’t like to touch

other than family and friends -

Personal displays of affection are

frowned upon

American Culture : Americans give

high fives and pats on back and hand

shakes - People kiss and touch in

public

Haptic Communication –

Communication through sense of

touch.

Proxemics Communication

Japanese culture : Only close with friends

and family - Not accepting to outsiders.

American Culture : Close to family and

friends. Accepting to outsiders. Americans

need space.

Proxemics – The physical

distance people put between

themselves and others.

Chronemics Communication

Japanese culture : Always

punctual and correct - being

early is on time.

American culture : Being 5

minutes late is acceptable -

Time is flexible.

Chronmeics – The use and value of time in communication.

Objectics Communication

Japan : take shoes off due to respect -

handle objects with care

American: Only take shoes off to relax or feel

comfortable - Use objects to get stuff done

Example in movie when they roll out the red

carpet from airplane and they all take shoes

off

Oculesics Communication

Japan: people tend to look

down - won’t make eye

contact

American: Eye contact is

important - Always looking

around and acknowledging

others

ParaLanguage Communication

Japan: Monotone when giving speeches - Take orders without

questioning

American: Loud and energetic when speaking - Talk back and ask

questions

Kinesics Communication

Japan: when meeting someone you bow- Facial expressions are the

same

American: Shake hands - Facial expressions are important to smile.