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CIA 1

TOPIC: Review of Culture and Business Practices of a

Specified Country
SUBMITTED BY:
1. Ann Maria Felix (2224053)
2. Bhumika Rajput (2224057)
3. Kashika Trikannad (2224059)
4. Sheetal BV (2224066)
5. Jinkala Trisha (2224080)
SUBJECT: Society, business and culture
COURSE CODE: BFIB261
SUBMITTED TO: Dr David Winster

07/02/2023
School of business and management
Christ (deemed-to-be) University, Yeshwanthpur Campus
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1. INTRODUCTION:

The country chosen is Japan. It is an island country lying off the east coast of Asia. It consists
of a great string of islands in a northeast-southwest arc that stretches for approximately 1,500
miles (2,400 km) through the western North Pacific Ocean.

Nearly the entire land area is taken up by the country’s four main islands; from north to south
these are Hokkaido (Hokkaidō), Honshu (Honshū), Shikoku, and Kyushu (Kyūshū). Honshu
is the largest of the four, followed in size by Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku.

In addition, there are numerous smaller islands, the major groups of which are the Ryukyu
(Nansei) Islands (including the island of Okinawa) to the south and west of Kyushu and
the Izu, Bonin (Ogasawara), and Volcano (Kazan) islands to the south and east of central
Honshu. The national capital, Tokyo (Tōkyō), in east-central Honshu, is one of the world’s
most populous cities.

2.INTRO TO THE CULTURE  

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Japanese culture is unique and multifaceted, characterized by rich traditions that boast

thousands of years of history. It’s continuously evolving and influencing both domestic and

international society, especially in the fields of subculture, cuisine, fashion, and technology.  

Japanese culture is a set of values that puts importance on social harmony and hard work.

Up until the 10th century, Japanese culture was similar to Chinese culture, but the rise of

the samurai in the Heian Period and the isolation during the Edo Period changed the rules of

society. Overall, the culture was influenced by the local Shinto religion, Buddhism,

Confucianism and the limited natural resources. 

While Japanese lifestyle has been Westernized recently, Japanese people still do everything

possible to preserve their rich cultural heritage by practicing tea ceremony,

wearing kimono and studying traditional arts and crafts from early childhood. The culture

throws its roots to various components; 

1. Values and Philosophy  

Japanese culture is unique and fascinating 

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Japan is said to be one of the most socially and ethically homogenous countries in the world.

Although Japan does have a minority ethnic group, the アイヌ (Ainu) people of

the Hokkaido prefecture, the Japanese as a whole share essential values.  

Unlike other countries, which place importance on diversity and house multiple ethnic groups

and cultures, 和 (wa), or “harmony,” is the most important value in Japan. Japanese people

prioritize the harmonious balance and peace of a society (and of the groups they belong to),

rather than asserting and pursuing one’s personal desires. Doing so would be considered bad

manners as it would break the balance of harmony and create disorder.  

Japanese culture values collectivism, contrary to most Western societies which

promote individualism. Thus, Japanese people are generally polite and kind to others, and

they try to avoid causing conflict. For example, expressing an opinion contrary to that of the

majority can be considered a source of conflict. 

Confucianism has also influenced Japanese values, particularly those revolving

around seniority. Respecting parents and seniors is important, and the concept of seniority is

often seen in school club activities (where senior students have a more confident attitude than

juniors, even if the juniors perform better) and in traditional workplaces (where seniority

affects pay raise and promotion).  

Many Japanese values are based on the idea of 神道 (Shinto), which is the traditional

Japanese religion. Shinto is polytheistic and believes that “gods” or “divine spirits” inhabit all

things in nature, and thus, all things should be treated with respect. As a result, the Japanese

tend to subconsciously respect things and handle things with care. 

2. Table etiquette and food  

Japanese culture and food go hand in hand. The country is famous for its range of tasty

dishes, from Sushi to Rāmen 

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A)Table Etiquette  

Japanese people like to be clean, and kids grow up being taught to wash their hands after

using the toilet, when coming back home after being outside, and before eating. 

At restaurants, おしぼり (oshibori), or a wet hand towel, is usually provided to clean your

hands. In Japan, it’s uncommon to pick up food directly with your hands (a common

occurrence in many other countries when eating bread, for example).  

It’s considered important to be grateful for the food and to respect the cook. Traditionally,

proper etiquette requires that you say these greeting words before and after eating: 

Before: 

 いただきます (itadakimasu) – “I eat/receive.” [Humble] 

After: 

 ごちそうさまでした (gochisō-sama deshita) – “It was delicious food.”

[Grateful and respectful] 

For Japanese people, these greetings are as natural as cleaning their hands before eating. 

Also keep in mind that playing with chopsticks or food is considered bad manners. In

addition, never stick chopsticks vertically on rice in a bowl as this is associated with funerals

(specifically, the food offered to the deceased in heaven).  

On the other hand, drinking (miso) soup directly from a bowl and making slurping sounds

while eating soup noodles are not considered bad manners in Japan. Don’t be surprised when

you hear people making noise while eating Soba, Udon, or Rāmen in Japan. 

B- Japanese Food 

Japanese food culture is one of the best in the world, proven by the fact that Tokyo has been

announced the world’s most Michelin-starred city for the thirteenth consecutive year

according to the Michelin Guide Tokyo 2020. That’s right: it’s not Paris or Rome, but the
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capital city of Japan. Japanese people are known to be foodies who can wait in line for two

hours just to get a bowl of Rāmen. 

Across the nation, the Japanese are primarily fish eaters. Japan is the number one fish

importer in the world, consuming around 12% of the world’s caught fish. 

The most well-known Japanese dish is probably sushi, a dish that includes fresh fish, seaweed

and lightly-seasoned rice. Japanese also eat beef, poultry and pork as part of their daily diets. 

3. The Family and Home  

Every culture has its own perception of family and facilitates a certain way of life. Let’s

delve into the specifics of Japanese culture and customs associated with family and the

home. 

A)Japanese Family 

The Japanese family system is traditionally very patriarchal. This is represented by the

Imperial Family—which has a history of over a thousand years—where only a male offspring

can inherit the imperial throne.  

In Japanese society, the nuclear family is very common and the average Japanese family has

one or two children. There is a patriarchal tendency in the household, with the husband/father

acting as breadwinner and the wife/mother filling the role of caregiver. Even in families
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where both parents work, the wife/mother often has more of a burden in terms of household

chores and childcare. 

Although modernization and changes in the family structure have been influential in making

the modern family less patriarchal over time, the first son in a family is still considered its

successor and is expected to live with and take care of his elderly parents. 

Due to this patriarchal tradition and subconsciously embedded mindset, Japan is still a

strongly male-dominant society, as seen in the Global Gender Gap Report 2020. Further,

Japan ranks 121st out of 153 countries in terms of gender equality, way below the average for

OECD countries 

 School and Education 

The Japanese school system has four levels: elementary school (six years starting from age

6), middle school (three years), high school (three years), and higher education. Higher

education can consist of junior college (two years), university (four years), or vocational

school (one to three years). Elementary school and middle school are compulsory and for

free. 

Most schools have a school uniform and school rules that keep order and uniformity among

students. Also, students are taught throughout their education that they should follow the

rules, not cause trouble for other people, and prioritize uniformity. Students are also taught,

especially in elementary schools, the importance of taking responsibility and keeping things

clean for the public good. For example, they learn to serve lunch themselves at lunch time

and to clean classrooms and school facilities themselves after school.  

Educated in such a way, Japanese people are good at cooperation and uniformity in states of

emergency, such as natural disasters. In most cases, people act in a decent manner to
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minimize panic and try to help each other. During these times, looting and violence hardly

ever happen in Japan. 

While these Japanese culture characteristics are part of what make the country so beautiful,

they’re not without criticism. Some argue that teaching students to prioritize uniformity

discourages the cultivation of personality and keeps individuals from fine-tuning their gifts

and abilities. This may result in a person who is unable to state his or her opinions with

confidence. 

Most Japanese middle and high schools have school uniforms and school rules that keep

order and uniformity among students. 

B- Work 
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Japanese people are known for being diligent, responsible, and punctual workers. This is a

very good thing for customers or clients who benefit from fast, accurate, punctual, polite, and

kind services. However, the workers who are expected to deliver such excellent services (and

Japanese customers/clients do expect such a high standard) may struggle and suffer a bit. 

As mentioned before, Japanese people are taught to keep harmony and not to cause trouble

for others. This applies to Japanese workplaces as well. No matter how tight the schedule is

or how much work you have, you’re expected to meet deadlines and/or clients’ requirements.

Thus, working overtime is common in most traditional Japanese workplaces. Workers are

unable to say, for example, “I have a family to take care of, I will continue tomorrow,” at 5 or

6 pm (which is supposedly the end of the work day). Taking consecutive paid holidays can

also be difficult, as Japanese employees feel guilty about taking leave while other colleagues

have to cover their absence. 

Another essential aspect of Japanese work culture is social drinking with colleagues and

bosses—or even with clients—to create rapport for smoother work. These occasions are often

very difficult to decline, as it can be considered rude or uncooperative to do so. 

There are still a lot of traditional Japanese practices to be improved upon, such as:  

 Overworking 

 終身雇用 (shūshin koyō) – “life-time employment” 

 年功序列 (nenkō joretsu) – “seniority system” 

These aspects of Japanese business culture encourage employee retention until retirement,

and base promotions and pay raises on age (regardless of performance). On one hand, this is

good for less-capable employees as employment and salary are secured. On the other hand,

such customs result in low productivity, unfair opportunity, and an inflexible labor market. In

addition, male-dominant workplaces accelerate the gender inequality in job positions,

salaries, and stability of employment. 

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However, the government is eager to reform the work environment by introducing new

policies, and the situation has been slowly improving among large corporations in particular.

That said, it may take a little more time to create the ideal work environment. 

REFERENCE: 
https://mai-ko.com/travel/culture-in-japan/japanese-culture-1/ 

https://www.globalizationpartners.com/2017/12/11/japanese-culture-and-tradition/ 

https://www.japanesepod101.com/blog/2021/04/23/japanese-culture/ 

3.SOCIAL STRATA PREVAILING IN JAPANESE CULTURE

 What is social stratification?

Social stratification refers to a society's categorization of its people into rankings based on

factors like wealth, income, education, family background, and power. Sociologists use the

term social stratification to describe the system of social standing.

 Japan- From the “Hundred Million Middle Class” to a Stratified Society

The rise in social stratification, known as kakusa in Japanese, was initially viewed as a threat

to Japan's idealized all-encompassing middle-class society and in an economic context.

 STRATA BASED ON CLASS

Japan had a "hundred million middle-class" society during the 1970s and 1980s. But when

the gaps widened, Japan changed into a different kind of class-based society. According to

contemporary sociologists, there are four classes in a capitalist society: the capitalist class

(the managers and stockholders of the production end) and the worker class they employ.

Between those two classes, there are two more. One is a “new middle class”—people who

run the organizations, supervise production, and develop technologies under the direction of
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the capitalists. The other one, which might be called the “old middle class,” includes farmers

who run their own operations and the self-employed. There is obviously an economic order to

these four classes, with the capitalists at the top, the workers at the bottom, and the two

middle classes in between.

 STRATA BASED ON RELIGION

Shinto and Buddhism are the two principal religions in Japan, and Japanese people frequently

practise both at the same time. Up to 80% of the population is thought to practise Shinto

rituals, honouring ancestors and spirits at private altars and public shrines. There are reports

of an almost equal number of Buddhists. The ruling elite in early Japanese history was in

charge of introducing and promoting Buddhism as well as propitiatory ceremonies that

subsequently came to be known as Shinto. Later, religious organisations were exploited by

governments for political ends; the Tokugawa administration, for instance, mandated that

every family register as members of a Buddhist temple.

 STRATA BASED ON CASTES

The caste system was abolished in 1871 along with the feudal system. Yet barriers to their

integration remained. Marginalised Burakumin communities were widespread across Japan.

Having the wrong address on your family registry, which records birthplace and is often

requested by employers, often led to discrimination.

Under the feudal Japanese system, the four classes are:

 Samurai, the warriors

 Farmers

 Artisans

 Merchants.
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Some Japanese people slipped below the four-tier system, just like the untouchables

in India. The burakumin and hinin were these. Like untouchables in India, the

burakumin prepared human tombs and performed dirty tasks like butchering and

leather tanning. The hinin were actors, singers who travelled, and ex-offenders.

 STRATA BASED ON RACE

Racism in Japan refers to unfavourable attitudes and beliefs about race or ethnicity

that are interconnected, held by a variety of individuals and groups in Japan, and that

have manifested themselves over time in violent acts (including laws, practises, and

behaviours) directed at particular racial or ethnic groups. Japanese make up 98.1% of

the population, followed by Chinese (0.5%), Koreans (0.4%), and all other ethnic

groups (1%). There is no law against racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination in

Japan. Additionally, the nation lacks any national human rights organisations. Human

rights breaches against non-Japanese people in Japan are more common than they are

for Japanese people. Foreign media outlets have recently claimed that Japanese

companies often seize the passports of foreign workers in Japan, especially unskilled

Labourers
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 STRATA BASED ON ETHNICITY

Among the several native ethnic groups of Japan, the predominant group are the Yamato

Japanese, who trace their origins back to the Yayoi period and have held political dominance

since the Asuka period. Other historical ethnic groups have included the Ainu, the Ryukyuan

people, the Emishi, and the Hayato; some of whom were dispersed or absorbed by other

groups. The greatest foreign minority in Japan is composed primarily of Chinese people.

They make up 0.64% of the population of Japan. Most Chinese people live in the cities of

Osaka, Tokyo, and Yokohama. The fifth-largest ethnic minority group in Japan is Korean. By

the end of 2020, there were 448,053 Vietnamese people residing in Japan. Japan, the country

with the second-largest Brazilian population outside of Brazil, is home to a sizeable Brazilian
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community. There are Peruvians in Japan, just like there are Brazilians there; some of them

grew up there before Peru opened its doors to foreign labour.

REFERENCES USED

 Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, January 29). Racism in Japan. Wikipedia. Retrieved

February 6, 2023, from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_Japan#:~:text=According%20to%20the

%20CIA%20World,%2C%20ethnic%2C%20or%20religious%20discrimination.

 Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, January 4). Religion in Japan. Wikipedia. Retrieved

February 6, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Japan

 The challenges facing Japan's underclass. nippon.com. (2021, May 13). Retrieved

February 6, 2023, from https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00691/#:~:text=As

%20the%20disparities%20have%20grown,worker%20class%20hired%20by

%20them.

 Britannica. (2022, November 3). Japan. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved February 7,

2023, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Japan
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4. BUSINESS PRACTICES AND ETIQUETTES

Trends and influences from both inside and outside of Japan have influenced the country's

distinctive culture. You will be more successful in your interactions with Japanese

individuals, businesses, and society at large if you comprehend these and how they have

influenced Japanese society. The Japanese have done a great job of assimilating religions and

philosophical movements from other nations. Through China and Korea, Buddhism and

Confucianism were introduced to Japan, where the local conditions and sensitivities were

taken into account in their adaptation. After more than 200 years of self-imposed seclusion,

the Japanese successfully reintroduced Western institutions and ideas starting in the 1860s.

Ancient Shinto, Buddhist, and Confucian traditions can be understood as mutually sustaining

each other in contemporary Japanese culture. Age and Status: In Japanese society, respect for

age and rank is highly valued, with hierarchy influencing many facets of social relationships.

The Japanese feel most at ease conversing with someone who they view as being on an equal

footing. Status is based on a person's position within an organization, the company they work

for, the university they attended, and their marital status. Business Cards: In Japan,

exchanging business cards, or meishi, is a must for initial contacts and is done in accordance

with rigorous rules. It enables the Japanese to swiftly ascertain the crucial position, title, and

rank of their counterparts. You should courteously extend a business card with two hands

while still standing and accept one in return. It is customary to bend slightly when

exchanging as a sign of respect. Instead of just putting the card in your pocket, take a moment

to look through the names and titles, and if you have time, add a note. Put it on the table in

front of you if you're seated and leave it there throughout the meeting. Place the card of the

most senior counterpart at the top with their subordinates' if at all possible. Japanese Names:

Meishi, or business cards, are exchanged according to strict norms in Japan and are a must for
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early encounters. The Japanese are able to quickly determine the key position, title, and rank

of their rivals thanks to this ability. While standing, you should politely extend and accept a

business card from the other person. When exchanging, it's traditional to slightly stoop as a

symbol of respect. Take a moment to review the names and titles before putting the card in

your pocket, and if you have time, add a note. If you're seated, place it on the table in front of

you and keep it there throughout the meeting. Put the card of the counterpart who is the most

senior on top. Bowing and Handshakes: In Japan, bowing is a significant aspect of daily life,

including in professional settings. Japanese salute and show respect for individuals older than

them by bowing to them. The junior person makes the first bow, bending between 30 and 45

degrees from vertical from the waist. Women may cross their hands or fingers at thigh height

while men keep their arms at their sides. The person in charge usually bows back in

acknowledgement with a less pronounced bow, usually at an angle of around 15 degrees.

When bowing to someone, it is considered impolite and aggressive to make eye contact with

them; this is typically done by martial arts competitors before a battle. When you meet a

group of Japanese, introduce yourself to the person with the highest status first, then to the

oldest. When meeting and saying goodbye, Australian business people will extend a simple

handshake. Just remember not to shake hands and bow at the same time. Make a decision and

stick with it. Building Relationships: When it comes to conducting business, Japan is more

relationship-oriented than Australia. Before doing business with someone, the Japanese want

to get to know them and trust them. Informally organized social events are where

relationships are formed and they typically entail a lot of food and drinking. Dress Code:

Japanese people tend to dress more formally than Australians since appearance is very

important. Business dress is conservative and places more of a focus on conformity than on

personal style. Men should dress professionally by donning dark suits, ties, and white shirts.

Men shouldn't wear much jewellery; a watch and a wedding band are plenty. Women should
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also wear muted colours and conservative clothing. Modesty: Humility and modesty are

valued in Japanese culture. You can convey modesty, calmness, and humility by speaking

quietly and not gesticulating excessively.

5. conclusion

When you think of a country where modern and ancient cultures are blended in harmony, I'm

sure the first place you'd think of is Japan. Japanese culture and customs have been constantly

evolving. Neither side is more favoured than the other and the new and old are both

celebrated in Japan culture. You can walk down a street in Japan and see people wearing

kimonos and geta (Japanese wooden sandals) while browsing on their iPhones or drinking

from Starbucks.

Although the current Japanese culture intertwines deeply with past traditions, one can see that

there are differences between the two. However, instead of conflicting with each other, they

instead complement each other in unique ways. 

Hospitality

Old Japanese Culture:  One of the traits of Japanese culture of the past is the emphasis on

hospitality and politeness. Traditional inns of Japan are called Ryokans, they usually have

tatami mat flooring, public baths and socializing with the owner and neighbours are greatly

encouraged. In recent times they have been growing in popularity as visitors from overseas

increasingly want to experience Japanese culture. Such Ryokans can be found in hot spring

towns such as Hakone.

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Modern Japanese Culture: Convenience is much more important but uniqueness is also

significant. You might have noticed it already, but most hotels in Japan, especially in big

cities like Tokyo, have rather modest rooms, usually just enough for the person to sleep. You

may have also come across Capsule hostels where guests sleep in "capsules"-like pods,

toilets, and bathrooms are shared and this helps keep the costs down.

In addition, the  "pop culture" cafes and restaurants such as robot cafes, maid cafes and even

animal cafes are gaining traction. Japanese youths enjoy trends and trying new things and the

appearance of these coffee stores are just that..

Fashion

Old Japanese Culture: It was considered that the more clothing you wear, the richer you

are. The less skin is showing, the better, this separated between the average manual labourer

and lords greatly. Bodily tattoos are frowned upon and even today, many public places still

do not allow those with tattoos to enter.

Modern Japanese Culture: Cosplays have vastly grown in Japan with the booming

popularity of anime and manga. People are willing to spend a significant amount of money on

custom-made costumes and accessories to fit the character they want to become
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Architecture

Old Japanese Culture: Japanese architecture shares many similarities with Chinese styles.

You can notice the common structure by looking at old castles and temples that were

dedicated to Shoguns and lords.

Modern Japanese Culture: Modern Japan takes influence from the European style of

architecture and combines it with its own style to create a unique and fresh take on building

designs. In metropolises like Tokyo or Osaka, particular places that look just like something

from built in England or any other European country.

Since opening its borders, Japan has changed for the better across the years. Many

professionals from chefs, artists, craftsmen to the average citizen have proven that Japan is

capable of change instead of being chained down by past traditions. And yet, it still manages

to celebrate the beauty of its culture, you can still see many traditional practices in many

places and have an authentic Japanese experience when you're just strolling across the street

or staying at an inn. Without a doubt, Japan truly is the perfect fusion between a country's old

and modern culture.

Reference:

https://gowithguide.com/blog/japanese-culture-the-differences-between-old-and-modern-3762
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/japanese-culture/japanese-culture-core-concepts