7  Perception of Conformity

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7.1 Group harmony

📖 Japanese people place a high value on group harmony and cooperation.

7.1.1 item 0

  • belief:
    • The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.
  • rationale:
    • Standing out from the group is seen as disruptive and disrespectful.
  • explanation:
    • This belief encourages conformity and discourages individualistic behavior.

7.1.2 item 1

  • belief:
    • Harmony is more important than individual needs.
  • rationale:
    • The well-being of the group is prioritized over the desires of any one person.
  • explanation:
    • This belief leads to a strong sense of community and cooperation.

7.1.3 item 2

  • belief:
    • It is important to avoid conflict.
  • rationale:
    • Direct confrontation is seen as impolite and disrespectful.
  • explanation:
    • This belief promotes a culture of politeness and indirect communication.

7.1.4 item 3

  • belief:
    • Saving face is important.
  • rationale:
    • Public humiliation or embarrassment is seen as a great loss of face.
  • explanation:
    • This belief encourages people to behave in a way that upholds their social status.

7.1.5 item 4

  • belief:
    • Group consensus is highly valued.
  • rationale:
    • Decisions are typically made through a process of consensus-building, rather than by majority vote.
  • explanation:
    • This belief ensures that everyone’s voice is heard and that decisions are supported by the entire group.

7.2 Respect for authority

📖 Japanese people are taught to respect authority figures, such as teachers, elders, and those in positions of power.

7.2.1 item 0

  • belief:
    • Japanese people are taught to obey their elders and superiors without question.
  • rationale:
    • This is because the Japanese culture places a high value on respect for authority.
  • explanation:
    • This belief leads to a society in which people are more likely to follow the rules and regulations, and to defer to those in positions of power.

7.2.2 item 1

  • belief:
    • Japanese people are taught to avoid causing conflict or embarrassment to themselves or others.
  • rationale:
    • This is because the Japanese culture values harmony and social cohesion.
  • explanation:
    • This belief leads to a society in which people are more likely to be polite and considerate of others, and to avoid doing anything that might cause disruption.

7.2.3 item 2

  • belief:
    • Japanese people are taught to put the needs of the group before their own individual needs.
  • rationale:
    • This is because the Japanese culture values collectivism and social harmony.
  • explanation:
    • This belief leads to a society in which people are more likely to cooperate with each other and to work together for the common good.

7.2.4 item 3

  • belief:
    • Japanese people are taught to be humble and modest.
  • rationale:
    • This is because the Japanese culture values humility and self-effacement.
  • explanation:
    • This belief leads to a society in which people are more likely to be understated and to avoid drawing attention to themselves.

7.2.5 item 4

  • belief:
    • Japanese people are taught to be patient and stoic.
  • rationale:
    • This is because the Japanese culture values patience and perseverance.
  • explanation:
    • This belief leads to a society in which people are more likely to be resilient in the face of adversity and to persevere through difficult times.

7.3 Sense of duty

📖 Japanese people have a strong sense of duty and obligation to their family, community, and country.

7.3.1 item 0

  • belief:
    • Duty to One’s Company
  • rationale:
    • In Japan, it is common for employees to work long hours and put in extra effort to meet company expectations.
  • explanation:
    • This sense of duty is often instilled in Japanese people from a young age, and it is considered to be an important part of being a responsible member of society.

7.3.2 item 1

  • belief:
    • Duty to Family
  • rationale:
    • Japanese people place a high value on family, and they often feel a strong sense of obligation to their parents and siblings.
  • explanation:
    • This sense of duty can lead to Japanese people making decisions that are in the best interests of their family, even if it means sacrificing their own personal interests.

7.3.3 item 2

  • belief:
    • Duty to Community
  • rationale:
    • Japanese people feel a strong sense of community, and they often participate in local events and activities.
  • explanation:
    • This sense of duty can lead to Japanese people being more involved in their community and taking an active role in making it a better place to live.

7.3.4 item 3

  • belief:
    • Duty to Country
  • rationale:
    • Japanese people are proud of their country, and they often feel a strong sense of duty to serve it.
  • explanation:
    • This sense of duty can lead to Japanese people being more likely to volunteer for military service or to participate in other forms of public service.

7.3.5 item 4

  • belief:
    • Duty to Society
  • rationale:
    • Japanese people believe that they have a duty to society as a whole.
  • explanation:
    • This sense of duty can lead to Japanese people being more likely to donate to charity or to volunteer for social causes.

7.4 Importance of education

📖 Japanese people believe that education is very important and strive to achieve academic success.

7.4.1 item 0

  • belief:
    • Education is the key to success in life.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese people believe that education is the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life. They believe that education provides individuals with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities necessary to succeed in their careers and personal lives.
  • explanation:
    • This belief is reflected in the high value that Japanese society places on education. Japanese students are expected to excel academically and spend many hours studying and attending extracurricular activities. The Japanese government also invests heavily in education, providing financial support to students and schools.

7.4.2 item 1

  • belief:
    • Education is a lifelong process.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese people believe that education should not end after graduation from school. They believe that individuals should continue to learn and grow throughout their lives, both personally and professionally.
  • explanation:
    • This belief is reflected in the popularity of lifelong learning programs in Japan. Many Japanese adults take classes, attend workshops, and read books to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in their fields. They also believe that learning new things keeps their minds active and engaged.

7.4.3 item 2

  • belief:
    • Education is important for both men and women.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese people believe that education is equally important for both men and women. They believe that women should have the same opportunities as men to pursue their education and careers.
  • explanation:
    • This belief is reflected in the fact that Japan has one of the highest female labor force participation rates in the world. Japanese women are well-educated and hold a variety of jobs, from doctors and lawyers to teachers and engineers.

7.4.4 item 3

  • belief:
    • Education is a social responsibility.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese people believe that education is not just a personal pursuit, but also a social responsibility. They believe that everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of society, and that education is one of the best ways to do this.
  • explanation:
    • This belief is reflected in the strong sense of community that exists in Japan. Japanese people are very willing to help others, and they believe that everyone has something to contribute to society.

7.4.5 item 4

  • belief:
    • Education is a source of national pride.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese people are proud of their country’s education system. They believe that their education system is one of the best in the world, and they are grateful for the opportunities that it has given them.
  • explanation:
    • This belief is reflected in the fact that Japan has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Japanese people are also very knowledgeable about their country’s history and culture.

7.5 Modesty

📖 Japanese people are generally modest and do not like to boast about their accomplishments.

7.5.1 item 0

  • belief:
    • Modesty is a virtue that should be cultivated from a young age.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese culture places a high value on humility and self-effacement. Children are taught to be respectful of others and to avoid drawing attention to themselves.
  • explanation:
    • This belief leads to a society where people are more likely to work together and cooperate with each other, rather than compete with each other.

7.5.2 item 1

  • belief:
    • It is important to be aware of one’s own limitations and to not overestimate one’s abilities.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese culture emphasizes the importance of modesty and humility. People are taught to be realistic about their own abilities and to avoid being arrogant or boastful.
  • explanation:
    • This belief leads to a society where people are more likely to be humble and respectful of others, and less likely to be overconfident or aggressive.

7.5.3 item 2

  • belief:
    • It is better to let one’s actions speak for themselves than to boast about one’s accomplishments.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese culture values modesty and humility. People are taught to let their actions speak for themselves and to avoid being boastful or arrogant.
  • explanation:
    • This belief leads to a society where people are more likely to be humble and respectful of others, and less likely to be self-promoting or attention-seeking.

7.5.4 item 3

  • belief:
    • It is important to be mindful of the feelings of others and to avoid saying or doing things that might cause them embarrassment or discomfort.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese culture places a high value on politeness and consideration for others. People are taught to be mindful of the feelings of others and to avoid causing them any unnecessary embarrassment or discomfort.
  • explanation:
    • This belief leads to a society where people are more likely to be polite and respectful of others, and less likely to be rude or inconsiderate.

7.5.5 item 4

  • belief:
    • It is important to avoid drawing attention to oneself and to blend in with the group.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese culture values conformity and harmony. People are taught to avoid drawing attention to themselves and to blend in with the group.
  • explanation:
    • This belief leads to a society where people are more likely to be humble and respectful of others, and less likely to be self-promoting or attention-seeking.