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John Bender

Marianne Arini

ENG 101A

13 November 2023

Culture of Japan
Japan is a very ancient, traditional, and fascinating culture, and traditions tend to

date back thousands of years. Even while being such an ancient culture, they tend to

technologically develop at an incredibly fast pace. While Japan is a very traditional country with

lots of old buildings and structures, there is still a very modern side to Japan. Japan’s urban

culture is most prominent in Tokyo, Japan’s capital, and the largest city in Japan. Japan’s

population is around 124 million and unfortunately, it is frequently becoming uncommon to have

children in Japan. “The country suffers from a very low birth rate, making it one of the most

rapidly aging societies in the world.” (Szczepanski)

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Japanese customs tend to be very respectful and sincere, and they have a lot of different

ways to show that. In Japan, people greet eachother by bowing to one another. Bowing could be

a nod or a deep bend at the waist. When a bow is longer, it means you tend to give a large

amount of respect to that person, while a quick small bow tends to be more casual. Kissing,

hugging and handshakes as greetings are quite uncommon in Japan, as Japanese people tend to

avoid physical contact when casually greeting someone. Another basic etiquette in Japan that isnt

very common in the United States is taking off shoes when you step inside certain buildings.

Whether it be someone's home, certain restaurants, or very important ancient landmarks. This

action shows a level of respect that isnt commonly practiced in the United States. Unlike the

United States, tattoos in Japan are looked down upon. A lot of hot springs and bathhouses do not

permit tattoos, and foreigners usually need to find a different bathhouse or hot spring that is

specially made for people with tattoos. Besides bowing, the way that the Japanese talk to

eachother when greeting tends to be very respectful. “The most common title used when greeting

someone is ‘-san’. This suffix implies a level of familiarity and can be used to address both

females and males. This form of address can also be used with either the person’s given name or

surname, as well as with the title of their occupation.” (Scroope)

Social hierarchy in Japan is pretty enormous, and depending on where you stand socially

in Japan, can depend on how you are greeted or honoured when talked to or introduced. “There

is a very sharply defined ranking and status hierarchy in Japanese society. Their impressions may

be built on Japan’s seniority-based, employment status, or business title hierarchies, but there

may also exist an occupation-based social status hierarchy. Thus, social status in Japan affects

people’s lives substantively and significantly at least as much as social status affects European
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societies.” (Fujihara) About 42% of Japan is considered lower middle class, while only 15%

consider themselves upper middle class. Whether you are married or not, your seniority, your

job, and much more can depend on where you are socially in Japan. Depending on your social

status, it can affect your participation in things like cultural activities and tends to seriously affect

Japanese peoples lives whether it be in a positive or a negative way.

Japan has always been a very unique country, whether it be their traditions or their

culture, Japan has always stood out as being a interesting yet beautiful country. Japan's customer

service industry is very different from the United States. Japan sets the standard for excellent

service, even though tipping culture doesn’t really exist. In Japan, many food service workers do

provide good service not because they expect a tip, but because they are simply just doing their

job. Entertainment is a big deal in Japan, from anime shows to manga, manga being the book

version of an anime, are very popular, and have garnered attention outside of Japan worldwide.

Shows like Pokemon, and Dragon Ball Z are considered anime and are popular everywhere.
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Anime isnt the only entertainment; festivals and celebrations are incredibly popular in Japanese

culture. Things like, Bonenkai and Shinnenkai and many more. There is basically a festival or

two every month in Japan. “Bonenkai and shinnenkai are traditional new year celebrations in

Japan. Bonenkai is the celebration of the end of the year and shinnenkai is the celebration of the

new year.” (Morishita)

On top of the Japanese being respectful and their excellent service, they have an

incredibly strong sense of community and a deep respect for nature. Nature is a cornerstone of

Japanese culture, and many have a very strong bond with nature in Japan. From the beautiful

traditional architecture, to the breathtaking cherry blossoms and bonsai trees, they can blend in

modern architecture with the beauty of nature. In Japan, nature can have a deep meaning to lots

of people. “Countless works of literature, for example, utilize the metaphor of the cherry

blossom's short lifespan: a flash of beauty followed by a withering and falling to the ground

(death), at which point onlookers lament that the flower's life was too short, tragically short.”

(Mackey) Shrine’s are also very big in Japan, and mean a lot to the culture. The etiquette is also

very important, being calm, respectful, and quiet. It is recommended to dress appropriately, you

cannot be sick if you are visiting a shrine, and many shrines have a purification fountain where

you can rinse your hands as you prepare to enter the shrine. It is common to pray and offer

something like a coin at a shrine. “At the offering hall, throw a coin into the offering box, bow

twice, clap your hands twice, pray for a few seconds, and bow once more. If there is some type

of bell or gong, use it before the entire procedure.” (Visiting Temples) Shrine’s in Japan are very

sacred, and express the beauty and importance of nature and culture. “Even Ise Grand Shrine,
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Shinto's most sacred shrine, is a living example of wabi-sabi, as it is torn down and rebuilt from

scratch every 20 years” (Mackey)

The culture of Japan has a rich tapestry of traditions, values, and practices that can offer

valuable lessons for the United States. By examining various aspects such as the strong sense of

community, emphasis on mindfulness, respect and excellent service, and dedication to the

upkeep of ancient buildings and shrines, there are undoubtedly important takeaways for the

American society. Japan's deep respect for nature, harmonious approach to social relationships,

and commitment to excellence can inspire the United States to cultivate a more balanced,

compassionate, and sustainable society.

The United States can gain valuable insights from Japan's profound reverence for nature

and its unwavering commitment to preserving the environment. Japan's long-standing tradition

of valuing nature is deeply ingrained in their culture. From the serene Zen gardens to the

majestic cherry blossom festivals, the Japanese people have a profound appreciation for the

beauty and tranquility of the natural world. Japan's exemplary approach to nature conservation
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serves as a significant lesson for the United States, which has not prioritized this aspect to the

same extent. By learning from Japan, the United States can take meaningful steps towards

mitigating the negative impact of human activities on the environment and ensuring a sustainable

future for generations to come. Embracing Japan's deep respect for nature and the preservation

of ancient architecture can also have economic benefits for the United States. Japan's

commitment to these practices has not only helped protect the environment, but has also

stimulated their economy.

The United States can also benefit from observing the Japanese approach to hospitality,

which is characterized by respectfulness and exceptional service in restaurants and other

customer-facing industries. In Japanese society, respect is considered a fundamental aspect of

interpersonal relationships, and this is reflected in their approach to customer service. Japanese

restaurant staff are known for their meticulous attention to detail, impeccable manners, and

genuine warmth towards customers. From observing and adopting the practices of the Japanese,

particularly in terms of their respectful demeanor and exceptional service standards, the United

States could grow by learning from the Japanese, and can improve its overall service culture and

enhance customer experiences all over the states.

Works Cited

“Cultural Life.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.,

www.britannica.com/place/Japan/Cultural-life. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.

Szczepanski, Kallie. “Key Facts to Know about Japan.” ThoughtCo, 6 May 2019,
www.thoughtco.com/japan-facts-and-history-195581. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.
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Scroope, Chara. “Japanese Culture - Greetings.” Cultural Atlas, 2021,

culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/japanese-culture/japanese-culture-greetings.

Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.

Fujihara, Sho. “Socio-Economic Standing and Social Status in Contemporary Japan: Scale
Constructions and Their Applications .” Academic.Oup.Com, Oxford Academic, 20 May
2020, academic.oup.com/esr/article/36/4/548/5841157?login=true. Accessed 13 Nov.
2023.

Morishita, Yuuna. “What Makes Japanese Culture Unique.” THE JAPANESE WAY, 29
Mar. 2021, thejapaneseway.com/what-makes-japanese-culture-unique/. Accessed 17 Nov.
2023.

“Visiting Temples and Shrines.” Visiting a Temple or Shrine in Japan, 15 Apr. 2023,
www.japan-guide.com/e/e2057.html. Accessed 17 Nov. 2023.

Mackey, Patrick. “Japan’s Unique View of Nature.” The ORIENTAL ECONOMIST, 28

Sept. 2017, toyokeizai.net/articles/-/190690. Accessed 17 Nov. 2023