Japan is a state with values of development anchored on profound cultural assumptions and ideals. Paramount to this cultural values is the concept of Honne in Japanese mythology, representing god as an embodiment of love and anger.
Japanese as a matter of responsibility to the state are expected to express love in their dealings, failure of this attracts anger in the form of punishment.
The Japanese system is averse to individualistic and anti-social behaviours. It rewards abundantly empathy, consensus building and cooperation.
By this cultural norm, a Japanese fears being ostracized for behaviours outside positive examples. It is that bad that ostracism has led to Japanese committing suicides for their inabilities to stand the shame that comes with punishment for being a deviant.
Japan is a shame society because it has a shame culture.
A shame society is one “in which the primary device for gaining control over children and maintaining social order is the inculcation of shame and the complementary threat of ostracism.”
It has been said that “no society can exist that does not manage and integrate anti-social behaviour”.
The Japanese society is built on collective dependency. It mobilizes group solidarity from childhood by recognizing that everyone has a role to play in national development.
It is compulsory for Japanese to work with one another in love and happiness. By such, the people learn the virtues of self control, emotional security and social identity. They learn to develop successful channels of communication, values needed for leadership and development.
Open competition and confrontation is avoided.
The value system of Japan is far more disposed to producing consensus and network builders as leaders than charismatic and ideological leaders.
The country’s cultural values propelled it to greatness.
Japan is an advanced nation. Since the 19th century it has been a great power. It is the third biggest economy in the world in terms of GDP.
It’s exporting power is a definer of world trade.
Being one of the most highly educated countries in the world, Japan has one of the most highly skilled work force.
With a population of more 126 million people, it has one of the lowest mortality rate and the highest life expectancy in the world.
The beauty of the Japanese system is the execution of the responsibility of the state to the people.
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