Volda-Griffith Austral-Asian Study Immersion Program 2010

An Introduction to Japanese Society

Wayne Muller

Griffith University

21st September 2010

LECTURE STRUCTURE

(1) Main historical trends since World War Two.

(2) The Japanese "economic miracle".

(3) Some Japanese social characteristics. ***

(4) Some critiques of post war Japan.

(5) Some challenges for contemporary

Japan.

(1) Main historical trends since World War Two.

The devastation of WW2

(1) Main historical trends since World War Two.

The Occupation Demilitarization War trials New constitution Economic rebuilding

The Korean War- towards the “Economic Miracle”

(2) The Japanese "economic miracle".

Geographical limitationsThe duration and scope of the “boom”

“Those successful Japanese” “The Japanese economic miracle” “The fragile superpower” “Japan as number one” “The too successful Japanese” “The electronic tribe”

Explanations of the “economic miracle”

(2) The Japanese "economic miracle".

Geographical limitations

Shizuoka City

Landuse Concentration

Tokyo Motorways

Shinkansen-Land Use Concentration Tokyo

(2) The Japanese "economic miracle".

The duration and scope of the “boom” “Those successful Japanese” “The Japanese economic miracle” “The fragile superpower” “Japan as number one” “The too successful Japanese” “The electronic tribe”

Explanations of the “economic miracle”

(3) Some Japanese social characteristics.

Some cultural and social paradoxes

Monocultural identity

Hierarchy

Group identity

Shame and obligation ("on")

A meritocracy

Consensus decision makingA formal people given to strict ritual and protocol

(3) Some Japanese social characteristics.

Some cultural and social paradoxes Lack of violence vs Manga, Samurai films,

Yakuza Friendliness and courtesy vs “rudeness” Chauvinism vs power of wife in the home “Company man” vs contractors Hierarchy vs classlessness Landscape beauty vs ugliness

Manga Comics

Manga Comics

Manga Comics

Authentic Samurai

Samurai-Movie Depiction

Yakuza

Yakuza-Tattoos

Suburban Ugliness Tokyo

The Beauty of Japanese Gardens

(3) Some Japanese social characteristics.

Monocultural identity Limited minorities- Koreans, Ainu, Eta “Nihonjinron” Japanese calendar Japanese celebrations- Adult Day, Shichi-Go-San,

Respect for aged day, Emperor’s birthday Japanese food

Artificial Window Food Display

(3) Some Japanese social characteristics.

Hierarchy Contributions of Feudalism, Confucianism,

Buddhism, status of Emperor, etc Japanese as a “respect language” Bowing and hierarchy Core values of “displaying respect” and

“knowing one’s proper place”

Osaka Castle

Kinkajui Buddhist Temple- Kyoto

(3) Some Japanese social characteristics.

Group identity Group identity at the national level Group identity within the workplace- company practices

which develop a sense of “the group” Group identity at school, in the family and “the village” Group protest Group behaviour while on vacation Group less individuals- “Ronin”

(3) Some Japanese social characteristics.

Shame and obligation ("on") “On” as a core value cf sin and guilt Meaning in English- “mutual obligation”, etc Levels of “on”- Emperor, family, teacher, etc “On” and gift giving

(3) Some Japanese social characteristics.

A meritocracy Legacy of Confucianism Significance of education-

Institutional hierarchies “Examination hell” “Juku”

Employability linked to educational outcomes

(3) Some Japanese social characteristics.

Consensus decision making Decision by consensus- “root binding” Lower salary differentials than in West Bosses located with the workers Quality control circles

(3) Some Japanese social characteristics.

A formal people given to strict ritual and protocol The tea ceremony The role of Geisha Department store etiquette Business protocols Bowing Ritual and trains Ritual protest Yoyogi Park and Unions Kamikaze pilots

“Irrashaimase” “Welcome”Department Store Etiquette

Yoyogi Park Ritual Protest

Ultranationalist Protest in Japan

Ultranationalist Protest in Japan

Shinto Wedding Ceremony

(4) Some critiques of post war Japan.

Environmental issues

Gender issues

Life chances

Racism

Trading practices

(4) Some critiques of post war Japan.

Environmental issues

(4) Some critiques of post war Japan.

Gender issues

Life chances

Racism

Trading practices

(5) Some challenges for contemporary Japan.

Demographic issues

Economic challenges

Political instability and inertia The perceived demise of “traditional values”

among the younger generations- “Shinjinrui”

Concern over North Korea

(5) Some challenges for contemporary Japan.

Demographic issues Longevity Low birth rate A shrinking population

(5) Some challenges for contemporary Japan.

Economic challenges

(5) Some challenges for contemporary Japan.

Political instability and inertia

(5) Some challenges for contemporary Japan.

The perceived demise of “traditional values” among the younger generations- “Shinjinrui”

Fads amongst Japanese youth and young adults “Kawaii”- “cuteness”- “hello Kitty”

Shinjinrui

(5) Some challenges for contemporary Japan.

Fads amongst Japanese youth and young adults Young adult males- “grass eaters”

Concern over North Korea