8  Perception of Relationships

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8.1 Hierarchy and respect

📖 Japanese society places great importance on hierarchy and respect, which is reflected in how people interact with each other.

8.1.1 item 0

• belief:
  • The concept of ‘tate-mae’ and ‘honne’
• rationale:
  • Japanese society values harmony and politeness, which can lead to a distinction between what is said publicly (‘tate-mae’) and what is truly felt (‘honne’).
• explanation:
  • This belief highlights the importance of understanding both the surface-level and underlying intentions in Japanese communication.

8.1.2 item 1

• belief:
  • Respect for authority and seniority
• rationale:
  • Japanese culture emphasizes respect for those who are older and have more experience or authority.
• explanation:
  • This belief shapes interactions within companies, families, and other hierarchical structures, where decisions are often made based on seniority rather than individual merit.

8.1.3 item 2

• belief:
  • The importance of ‘wa’ (harmony)
• rationale:
  • Japanese society places a high value on maintaining group harmony and avoiding conflict.
• explanation:
  • This belief leads to a tendency to prioritize consensus and compromise, even if it means sacrificing individual opinions or desires.

8.1.4 item 3

• belief:
  • The concept of ‘amae’
• rationale:
  • Japanese culture recognizes the importance of dependence and interdependence in relationships.
• explanation:
  • This belief allows for a sense of closeness and intimacy, but it can also lead to expectations of support and loyalty.

8.1.5 item 4

• belief:
  • The role of ‘giri’ (obligation)
• rationale:
  • Japanese society emphasizes the importance of fulfilling social obligations and commitments.
• explanation:
  • This belief can lead to a strong sense of duty and responsibility, but it can also create pressure to conform to societal expectations.

8.2 In-group and out-group

📖 Japanese people tend to form strong bonds with those in their in-group, such as family, friends, and colleagues, while maintaining a more formal and distant relationship with those in their out-group, such as strangers or people from other cultures.

8.2.1 item 0

• belief:
  • Japanese people value harmony and collectivism.
• rationale:
  • Japanese culture emphasizes the importance of maintaining social harmony and putting the needs of the group above individual desires.
• explanation:
  • This belief leads to a strong sense of in-group loyalty and a desire to conform to group norms. Japanese people may be hesitant to express dissenting opinions or challenge the status quo in order to preserve group harmony.

8.2.2 item 1

• belief:
  • Japanese people have a strong sense of uchi-soto (inside-outside) distinction.
• rationale:
  • Japanese society is characterized by a clear distinction between in-groups (uchi) and out-groups (soto).
• explanation:
  • This distinction influences how Japanese people interact with others. They tend to be more open and trusting with members of their in-group, while maintaining a more formal and distant relationship with those in their out-group. This distinction can also extend to interactions with foreigners or people from other cultures.

8.2.3 item 2

• belief:
  • Japanese people value indirect communication.
• rationale:
  • Japanese culture emphasizes the importance of avoiding direct confrontation and conflict.
• explanation:
  • This belief leads to a preference for indirect communication styles, such as using vague language or hinting at meaning. Japanese people may also use silence or nonverbal cues to convey messages, which can make it difficult for outsiders to understand their true intentions.

8.2.4 item 3

• belief:
  • Japanese people have a strong sense of obligation.
• rationale:
  • Japanese culture places a high value on fulfilling one’s obligations to others.
• explanation:
  • This belief leads to a strong sense of loyalty and responsibility towards family, friends, and colleagues. Japanese people may feel pressured to conform to social expectations and may prioritize the needs of others over their own.

8.2.5 item 4

• belief:
  • Japanese people are often described as being polite and respectful.
• rationale:
  • Japanese culture emphasizes the importance of showing respect for others.
• explanation:
  • This belief leads to a number of behavioral tendencies, such as bowing, using polite language, and avoiding direct confrontation. Japanese people may also be more likely to defer to authority figures and to avoid expressing strong opinions in public.

8.3 Saving face

📖 Japanese people place great importance on saving face, which means avoiding embarrassment or shame for themselves or others.

8.3.1 item 0

• belief:
  • The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.
• rationale:
  • Japanese culture values conformity and group harmony, so it is important to avoid drawing attention to oneself or causing embarrassment to others.
• explanation:
  • This belief discourages individuals from standing out or expressing their individuality, as it could lead to social disapproval or ostracism.

8.3.2 item 1

• belief:
  • Harmony is more important than individual needs.
• rationale:
  • Japanese society emphasizes the importance of maintaining social cohesion and avoiding conflict.
• explanation:
  • This belief leads to a tendency to prioritize the needs of the group over the needs of the individual, and to avoid expressing dissenting opinions or challenging the status quo.

8.3.3 item 2

• belief:
  • It is better to suffer in silence than to cause trouble for others.
• rationale:
  • Saving face is seen as a way to protect oneself and others from shame or embarrassment.
• explanation:
  • This belief encourages individuals to endure hardships and avoid seeking help or complaining, as it could burden others or damage their reputation.

8.3.4 item 3

• belief:
  • Appearances are everything.
• rationale:
  • Japanese culture places great importance on politeness, etiquette, and social norms.
• explanation:
  • This belief leads to a focus on maintaining a positive public image and adhering to social expectations, even if it means suppressing one’s true feelings or desires.

8.3.5 item 4

• belief:
  • One should always be grateful for the kindness of others.
• rationale:
  • Japanese culture emphasizes the importance of gratitude and indebtedness.
• explanation:
  • This belief leads to a sense of obligation to repay kindness and favors, and to avoid causing inconvenience or disappointment to others.

8.4 Indirect communication

📖 Japanese people often communicate indirectly, using hints, suggestions, and body language, rather than being direct and explicit.

8.4.1 item 0

• belief:
  • Nailed it!
• rationale:
  • When Japanese people say “Nailed it!” they are expressing that they agree with you, not complimenting your carpentry skills.
• explanation:
  • The phrase “Nailed it!” in English usually implies that someone has succeeded in doing something. In Japanese, however, the expression is used to agree with someone. For example, if a friend tells you that they’re going to the store, you might say “Nailed it!” to show that you agree with their decision.

8.4.2 item 1

• belief:
  • Honne vs. Tatemae
• rationale:
  • Japanese people often express two different opinions: their true feelings (honne) and what they think they should say (tatemae).
• explanation:
  • Honne and tatemae are two important concepts in Japanese culture that refer to the distinction between one’s true feelings and what one expresses publicly. Honne is what one truly thinks or feels, while tatemae is what one says or does in order to maintain social harmony. For example, a Japanese person might say that they are happy to see you, even if they are not, because it is considered polite to do so.

8.4.3 item 2

• belief:
  • Reading the air (kuuki wo yomu)
• rationale:
  • Japanese people place a high value on reading the air, which is the unspoken, intangible atmosphere of a situation.
• explanation:
  • It is important to be able to read the air in order to understand what is expected of you in a given situation. For example, if you are in a meeting and everyone is being very quiet, you might be able to tell that the atmosphere is tense and that you should not speak up.

8.4.4 item 3

• belief:
  • Group harmony
• rationale:
  • Japanese people value group harmony above individual interests.
• explanation:
  • The concept of group harmony is very important in Japanese culture. It is considered more important to get along with others than to express your own individual opinions. For example, if you are in a group of Japanese people and they are all talking about going to the movies, you might feel pressured to go even if you don’t really want to.

8.4.5 item 4

• belief:
  • Saving face
• rationale:
  • Japanese people are very concerned with saving face, both their own and the face of others.
• explanation:
  • Losing face is considered to be a very serious thing in Japanese culture. It is important to avoid doing anything that could make someone lose face. For example, if you are in a meeting and someone makes a mistake, you might not want to point it out in front of everyone else.

8.5 Emotional restraint

📖 Japanese people tend to be emotionally reserved, and they may not express their emotions directly in order to avoid causing discomfort or embarrassment to others.

8.5.1 item 0

• belief:
  • It’s more important to maintain harmony than to express one’s feelings.
• rationale:
  • Expressing one’s emotions can disrupt the group and cause conflict.
• explanation:
  • Japanese culture values collectivism and social harmony above individual expression. Therefore, people may suppress their emotions to avoid causing discomfort or embarrassment to others.

8.5.2 item 1

• belief:
  • It’s important to know one’s place in the social hierarchy.
• rationale:
  • This ensures that everyone knows their role and responsibilities.
• explanation:
  • Japanese society is hierarchical, with clear distinctions between different social groups. Individuals are expected to behave according to their position in the hierarchy, showing respect to those above them and expecting respect from those below them.

8.5.3 item 2

• belief:
  • It’s important to avoid causing others to lose face.
• rationale:
  • Losing face is a serious social offense that can damage one’s reputation.
• explanation:
  • In Japanese culture, reputation is very important. People are expected to behave in a way that brings honor to themselves and their family. Losing face can have serious consequences, such as social isolation or even job loss.

8.5.4 item 3

• belief:
  • It’s important to be humble and not draw attention to oneself.
• rationale:
  • Boasting or bragging is considered to be in poor taste.
• explanation:
  • Japanese culture values modesty and humility. People are expected to downplay their own accomplishments and avoid drawing attention to themselves.

8.5.5 item 4

• belief:
  • It’s important to show gratitude to others.
• rationale:
  • Gratitude is a sign of respect and appreciation.
• explanation:
  • Japanese culture places great importance on gratitude. People are expected to express their thanks to others, even for small acts of kindness.