How prominent is group mentallity on Japan?

Question

Lots of people (mainly non-Japanese who have lived in Japan) have told me that social structure in Japan has a big emphasis on groups, and everyone has to feel they are part of a group, and their worst feel is being alienated from a group - which offers some explanation the high rates of depression and ultimately suicide in Japan.

Unlike Europe and North America, where lots of people strive to stand out and appear different and unique, I'm told the opposite is true in Japan where being individual and distancing yourself from a defined group is not cool and makes people think you're a bit weird.

I'm also told that the Japanese view themselves as a group, in which ethnicity and nationality is one, and that in their eyes, one can't simply become Japanese, one must be born Japanese. Which is a direct contrast from Western countries where people who hold those views are called xenophones - not that there's anything wrong with it, I personally think it's quite sensible.

So, is it really an issue in Japan, or do disgruntled Europeans and Americans blame their struggles with the differences in a foreign country as being down to their xenophobic group mentally?

Answer 1

I have some different view point from you. The social structure in Japan is not so special. That is just because it is just a mono ethnic country.

Every patriotic citizen identify themselves strongly with their nation.

Chinese, Korean, even American is also same. Only the difference between Americans and Asians is instinctive self defense attitude.

Asians like Japanese, Chinese and Koreans are often grouping because of defense for the blood. Europeans and Americans are not grouping because there is no mono culture of blood except religion ceremony.

Outsiders as alien may have some depression in Japan but it is not Japan's fault or  mistake. That is caused by culture gap only.

Japan has been having a great virtue of balance between freedom and discipline, westernization and independence, obligation and right long time. They have modified Western culture to Japanese own one and developed them without any other countries interference by end of WWⅡ.

Japan's immediate reconstruction after lost war was done by as well as great contribution from developed countries such as USA and because it had mono culture and it was mono ethnic country legendarily.

Although foreigners often describe  that Japanese are often grouping with too much uniformity to behave something, Americans are also on the contrary too unrestrained and impudent and without consideration to others.

Europeans and Americans can never understand different culture. Not only in Japan but also in Iraq, Sudan and/or China etc. as far as they are cocksure of their power, economy and civiliaztion.

Answer 2

This is a part of Japanese culture. "The nail that sticks up the highest is the first to be hammered down".

Koreans born in Japan are not given citizenship. Unless you are born in Japan of Japanese parents, you will always be a gaijin.

The Japanese must be doing something right. It's the richest country in Asia, while having the lowest crime rate.

Answer 3

i agree with thecheapest902

Answer 4

What you said here is true, perhaps, but I must agree with bluemoon... Especially Americans, they all migrated from other land such as Europe, except the native American indians, and they all carried other kinds of cultures to their 'new homeland' and now they all mixed in together.  They had to show their 'individuality' to survive in the mingled cultures, didn't they?  Or they lose themselves completely.  Japan had been one isolated island country for a long time before they opened up to the other Western world, even though origin of Japanese people came from other neighboring Asian countries.  From such history, being alone and isolated country with a limited resource to share for a long time, it is hard to be more open.  Individuality is almost a threat to that kind of society because it will break the 'harmony' eventually.  It is not a bad thing always, though, if you think about how Japan came back up after the loss of WWII.  Japanese ordinary  people worked very, very hard each as a collective to re-built their country together.  If they didn't put their hands together, Japan never made it.  People don't have to feel they are part of the group, but it is true that it's a part of success if you can achieve that kind of harmony with other kind of people.   I don't think this kind of isolation is weird, but rather unique to me.   "...one can't simply become Japanese, one must be born Japanese"  I might sound selfish, but I believe that also.  You can learn Japanese language and speak like Japanese, but you can't be one, because you will never be able to 'communicate' like Japanese.  I am not saying that they will never accept you, though, I hope you don't misunderstand me.  

Answer 5

It's really true.

In kids world of Japan, you are required to have the same game machine like Wii with others, or you will be ostracized.

In working world. you are required to have the same type of fashion with others. So you cannot dye your hair so often.

You are required to go to drinking with your colleagues after working hours, or you will be seen as a bad worker.

There are thousands of other stories like these. I won't tell you all of them. But it's true.

This is the part I hate most in Japanese society although I'm Japanese myself. Maybe, I agree with those non-Japanese people.