Volda-Griffith Austral-Asian Study
Immersion Program 2010
An Introduction to Japanese Society
Wayne Muller
Griffith University
21st September 2010
LECTURE STRUCTURE
(1) Main historical trends since World War
Two.
(2) The Japanese "economic miracle".
(3) Some Japanese social characteristics. ***
(4) Some critiques of post war Japan.
(5) Some challenges for contemporary Japan.
(1) Main historical trends since World War Two.
The devastation of WW2
(1) Main historical trends since World War Two.
The Occupation
 Demilitarization
 War trials
 New constitution
 Economic rebuilding
The Korean War- towards the “Economic
Miracle”
(2) The Japanese "economic miracle".
Geographical limitations
The duration and scope of the “boom”
“Those successful Japanese”
 “The Japanese economic miracle”
 “The fragile superpower”
 “Japan as number one”
 “The too successful Japanese”
 “The electronic tribe”

Explanations of the “economic miracle”
(2) The Japanese "economic miracle".
Geographical limitations
Shizuoka City
Landuse Concentration
Tokyo Motorways
Shinkansen-Land Use Concentration Tokyo
(2) The Japanese "economic miracle".
The duration and scope of the “boom”
“Those successful Japanese”
 “The Japanese economic miracle”
 “The fragile superpower”
 “Japan as number one”
 “The too successful Japanese”
 “The electronic tribe”

Explanations of the “economic miracle”
(3)
Some Japanese social characteristics.
Some cultural and social paradoxes
Monocultural identity
Hierarchy
Group identity
Shame and obligation ("on")
A meritocracy
Consensus decision making
A formal people given to strict ritual and
protocol
(3)
Some Japanese social characteristics.
Some cultural and social paradoxes
Lack of violence vs Manga, Samurai films,
Yakuza
 Friendliness and courtesy vs “rudeness”
 Chauvinism vs power of wife in the home
 “Company man” vs contractors
 Hierarchy vs classlessness
 Landscape beauty vs ugliness

Manga Comics
Manga Comics
Manga Comics
Authentic Samurai
Samurai-Movie Depiction
Yakuza
Yakuza-Tattoos
Suburban Ugliness Tokyo
The Beauty of Japanese Gardens
(3)
Some Japanese social characteristics.
Monocultural identity

Limited minorities- Koreans, Ainu, Eta

“Nihonjinron”

Japanese calendar

Japanese celebrations- Adult Day, Shichi-Go-San,
Respect for aged day, Emperor’s birthday

Japanese food
Artificial Window Food Display
(3)
Some Japanese social characteristics.
Hierarchy

Contributions of Feudalism, Confucianism,
Buddhism, status of Emperor, etc

Japanese as a “respect language”

Bowing and hierarchy

Core values of “displaying respect” and
“knowing one’s proper place”
Osaka Castle
Kinkajui Buddhist Temple- Kyoto
(3)
Some Japanese social characteristics.
Group identity

Group identity at the national level

Group identity within the workplace- company practices which
develop a sense of “the group”

Group identity at school, in the family and “the village”

Group protest

Group behaviour while on vacation

Group less individuals- “Ronin”
(3)
Some Japanese social characteristics.
Shame and obligation ("on")

“On” as a core value cf sin and guilt

Meaning in English- “mutual obligation”, etc

Levels of “on”- Emperor, family, teacher, etc

“On” and gift giving
(3)
Some Japanese social characteristics.
A meritocracy

Legacy of Confucianism

Significance of education-


Institutional hierarchies

“Examination hell”

“Juku”
Employability linked to educational
outcomes
(3)
Some Japanese social characteristics.
Consensus decision making
Decision by consensus- “root binding”
 Lower salary differentials than in West
 Bosses located with the workers
 Quality control circles

(3)
Some Japanese social characteristics.
A formal people given to strict ritual and
protocol








The tea ceremony
The role of Geisha
Department store etiquette
Business protocols
Bowing
Ritual and trains
Ritual protest Yoyogi Park and Unions
Kamikaze pilots
“Irrashaimase” “Welcome”
Department Store Etiquette
Yoyogi Park Ritual Protest
Ultranationalist Protest in Japan
Ultranationalist Protest in Japan
Shinto Wedding Ceremony
(4)
Some critiques of post war Japan.
Environmental issues
Gender issues
Life chances
Racism
Trading practices
(4)
Some critiques of post war Japan.
Environmental issues
(4)
Some critiques of post war Japan.
Gender issues
Life chances
Racism
Trading practices
(5)
Some challenges for contemporary Japan.
 Demographic issues
 Economic challenges
 Political instability and inertia
 The perceived demise of “traditional values”
among the younger generations- “Shinjinrui”
 Concern over North Korea
(5)
Some challenges for contemporary Japan.
Demographic issues
Longevity
 Low birth rate
 A shrinking population

(5)
Some challenges for contemporary Japan.
Economic challenges
(5)
Some challenges for contemporary Japan.
Political instability and inertia
(5)
Some challenges for contemporary Japan.
The perceived demise of “traditional
values” among the younger generations“Shinjinrui”
Fads amongst Japanese youth and young
adults

“Kawaii”- “cuteness”- “hello Kitty”
Shinjinrui
(5)
Some challenges for contemporary Japan.
Fads amongst Japanese youth and young
adults

Young adult males- “grass eaters”
 Concern over North Korea