6  Perception of Hierarchy

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6.1 Consensus Decision-Making

📖 Decisions are made through group consensus rather than individual authority.

6.1.1 item 0

  • belief:
    • Decisions should involve everyone, regardless of rank or status.
  • rationale:
    • Including all voices ensures diverse perspectives and buy-in from the entire group.
  • explanation:
    • Consensus decision-making values collective wisdom and fosters a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for outcomes.

6.1.2 item 1

  • belief:
    • Harmony and group cohesion are paramount.
  • rationale:
    • Maintaining a harmonious work environment promotes collaboration and prevents conflict.
  • explanation:
    • Japanese culture emphasizes the importance of social harmony, which translates into a preference for consensus-based decisions that avoid creating divisions within the group.

6.1.3 item 2

  • belief:
    • Face-saving is essential.
  • rationale:
    • Preserving one’s own and others’ reputations is crucial for maintaining social order.
  • explanation:
    • Consensus decision-making allows individuals to express their opinions without fear of embarrassment or public criticism, which helps maintain harmonious relationships.

6.1.4 item 3

  • belief:
    • Consensus builds stronger commitment.
  • rationale:
    • When everyone has participated in the decision-making process, they are more likely to support and implement the outcome.
  • explanation:
    • Consensus-based decisions foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among team members, leading to increased motivation and commitment to the chosen course of action.

6.1.5 item 4

  • belief:
    • Respect for authority figures is important, but not absolute.
  • rationale:
    • While authority should be respected, it is not always right.
  • explanation:
    • In Japanese society, consensus decision-making allows for a balance between respecting authority and ensuring that decisions are made collectively, with input from all members of the group.

6.2 Respect for Seniors

📖 Older individuals are highly respected and their opinions are valued.

6.2.1 item 0

  • belief:
    • Seniors are a fount of wisdom and experience.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese culture places a high value on tradition and respect for elders. This belief stems from the idea that seniors have lived longer and have therefore accumulated more knowledge and wisdom.
  • explanation:
    • Japanese people believe that seniors have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. They are often looked up to for guidance and advice, especially in matters of tradition and culture.

6.2.2 item 1

  • belief:
    • It is important to show respect to seniors.
  • rationale:
    • Respect for elders is a deeply ingrained value in Japanese society. This belief is based on the idea that seniors deserve respect because of their age and experience.
  • explanation:
    • Japanese people are taught from a young age to respect their elders. This includes using polite language, listening attentively to their advice, and taking care of them in their old age.

6.2.3 item 2

  • belief:
    • Seniors should be given priority.
  • rationale:
    • This belief is based on the idea that seniors are more vulnerable and deserve to be treated with care and consideration.
  • explanation:
    • Japanese people often give seniors priority in line, on public transportation, and in other situations. They are also more likely to offer them assistance, such as carrying their groceries or helping them cross the street.

6.2.4 item 3

  • belief:
    • Seniors should be consulted before making important decisions.
  • rationale:
    • This belief is based on the idea that seniors have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. They can provide valuable insights and advice on important matters.
  • explanation:
    • Japanese people often consult with their elders before making important decisions, such as getting married, buying a house, or starting a new business. They value their elders’ wisdom and experience and believe that they can help them make the best possible decisions.

6.2.5 item 4

  • belief:
    • Seniors deserve to be taken care of in their old age.
  • rationale:
    • This belief is based on the idea that seniors have spent their lives working hard and contributing to society. They deserve to be taken care of in their old age and to enjoy a comfortable and dignified retirement.
  • explanation:
    • Japanese people have a strong sense of filial piety and believe that it is their duty to take care of their elderly parents. They often live with their parents or other family members in their old age and provide them with financial and emotional support.

6.3 Clear Social Stratification

📖 Society is structured into distinct levels, with each level having its own expectations and responsibilities.

6.3.1 item 0

  • belief:
    • The company is like a family, and everyone has their place.
  • rationale:
    • This belief is rooted in the Confucian concept of hierarchy, which emphasizes the importance of social order and respect for authority. In a Japanese company, employees are expected to respect their superiors and follow their instructions without question.
  • explanation:
    • This belief leads to a strong sense of loyalty and commitment to the company. Employees are willing to work hard and sacrifice their personal time for the good of the group.

6.3.2 item 1

  • belief:
    • Age and experience are highly respected.
  • rationale:
    • In Japanese culture, age is seen as a sign of wisdom and experience. Older people are respected for their knowledge and their contributions to society.
  • explanation:
    • This belief leads to a deferential attitude towards elders. Younger people are expected to listen to the advice of their elders and to respect their opinions.

6.3.3 item 2

  • belief:
    • Harmony is more important than individual achievement.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese culture values social harmony and cooperation. Individuals are expected to put the needs of the group ahead of their own. This belief emphasizes the importance of communication, understanding and cooperation to create harmonious outcomes.
  • explanation:
    • This belief can be seen in the way Japanese people interact with each other. They are always polite, respectful, and considerate of others. People in Japan strive to avoid conflict and confrontation, and they work hard to maintain a positive and harmonious environment

6.3.4 item 3

  • belief:
    • The group is more important than the individual.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese culture emphasizes the importance of the group. Individuals are expected to subordinate their own interests to the interests of the group.
  • explanation:
    • This belief manifests itself in a number of ways. When possible, decisions are made by consensus, and merit is awarded based on contributions to the group.

6.3.5 item 4

  • belief:
    • Saving face is important.
  • rationale:
    • In Japanese culture, shame is considered to be a major social disgrace
  • explanation:
    • People in Japan are very careful not to do anything that could embarrass themselves or their family. This belief can sometimes lead to people being overly cautious and afraid to take risks.

6.4 Obligations to Others

📖 Individuals have strong obligations to their family, community, and company.

6.4.1 item 0

  • belief:
    • The Japanese place a high value on social harmony.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese society is collectivist, which means that the needs of the group are prioritized over the needs of the individual. This emphasis on social harmony leads to a strong sense of obligation to others.
  • year:
    • 2023

6.4.2 item 1

  • belief:
    • Obligations to others are often seen as more important than personal desires.
  • rationale:
    • In Japan, it is considered selfish to put one’s own needs ahead of the needs of the group. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame if one is perceived as not fulfilling their obligations.
  • year:
    • 2023

6.4.3 item 2

  • belief:
    • Individuals are expected to conform to social norms.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese society is very conformist, and individuals are expected to behave in accordance with social expectations. This can lead to a suppression of individuality and a fear of standing out from the crowd.
  • year:
    • 2023

6.4.4 item 3

  • belief:
    • Hierarchy is important in Japanese society.
  • rationale:
    • Japanese society is hierarchical, with clear distinctions between different levels of authority. This can lead to a sense of duty and obligation to those above oneself, as well as a sense of respect for those below oneself.
  • year:
    • 2023

6.4.5 item 4

  • belief:
    • Individuals are expected to be loyal to their family, community, and company.
  • rationale:
    • Loyalty is a highly valued virtue in Japanese society. Individuals are expected to be loyal to their family, community, and company, even when it requires personal sacrifice.
  • year:
    • 2023

6.5 Harmony and Conflict Avoidance

📖 Maintaining harmony and avoiding conflict are important social values.

6.5.1 item 0

  • belief:
    • Nailed that landed
  • rationale:
    • People prioritize harmony and avoid conflict, which often leads to indirect communication and an emphasis on politeness.
  • explanation:
    • The Japanese tend to avoid speaking assertively, as doing so is seen as impolite.

6.5.2 item 1

  • belief:
    • Silence is golden
  • rationale:
    • The Japanese culture values silence and reflection.
  • explanation:
    • In Japanese culture, silence is often seen as a sign of respect and contemplation.

6.5.3 item 2

  • belief:
    • Empathy is everything
  • rationale:
    • Japanese people are highly empathetic and place great importance on understanding the feelings of others.
  • explanation:
    • This empathy extends to both personal relationships and business interactions.

6.5.4 item 3

  • belief:
    • Respect the group
  • rationale:
    • Japanese society places a strong emphasis on collectivism and group harmony.
  • explanation:
    • Individuals are expected to prioritize the needs of the group over their own personal desires.

6.5.5 item 4

  • belief:
    • Mind your manners
  • rationale:
    • Politeness and etiquette are highly valued in Japanese culture.
  • explanation:
    • Japanese people are taught to be respectful and considerate of others at all times.