Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, as well as a culture that is incredibly community-oriented and disapproving of rule-breaking. This incredible social order is seen in the orderly lines strewn throughout even the hardest-hit areas. Compare this to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, in which looting was a significant problem that local law enforcement officers, businesses, and relief effort teams had to deal with.
According to Gregory Pflugfelder, director of Japanese culture center at Columbia University, this difference stems from a cultural difference; "Japanese have 'a sense of being first and foremost responsible to the community,' he said." Compare this to the individual-oriented American society, in which people do what is most advantageous for themselves.
Merry White, an anthropology professor at Boston University who studies Japanese culture, stated that American looting stems from "social alienation and class gaps." While these also manifest in Japan, she states that Japanese culture overwhelmingly disapproves of violence and stealing.
In conclusion, this will help the Japanese relief effort, states Pflugfelder.
I find cultural differences between countries fascinating. I have been in a Japanese airport, and I could already tell that Japanese society revolved around courtesy, helping others, order, and hard work.
I don't know how some people in the U.S. consider breaking the law "cool" or conducive to creating one's "street cred," but do you think America needs to teach these values (courtesy, helping others, and order) more? If so, how do you think we could start?
This is also an interesting question, although slightly tangential: which do you value more—your individualism or societal order? There are a few people that suggest that America's individualism contributes to its creativity and innovation, and that stricter, more conformist cultures suffer from a lack of creativity. However, using Japan as an example, a powerful conformist attitude against criminals is obviously beneficial to society as a whole; at what point does conformity become stifling?
Also, I want to send my prayers to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami, including those with friends and family members in Japan. I hope that, at the very least, that we value life more and that we can learn lessons about disaster relief from this tragedy.
10 comments:
to say that individualism and societal order are opposite things would be putting spin on the question. to put societal order on the other side of that vs. would be implying that an individualistic culture does not function without order.... yet here we are in this individual-oriented society called America.
the question should be asking individualism vs. collectivism.--> thinking what is better for the oneself or for the group.
a very classic example of this debate is in the first generation immigrants from old school latin and asian backgrounds coming to america. culture clash and tension --> you know who you are.
but here's the break down
collectivist --> i choose to work hard and suffer as the priority so that the lives of my children and my loved ones around me will not have as much suffering because want them the best chance of being happy.
individualist --> i live only once so i choose to enjoy what life has to offer as the priority. my children and loved ones will find their happiness too even if they go through the same suffering as i do.
i prefer individualism in the essence that family comes first and your community is what makes your home, but in an american society with everybody needing something to gain, individualistic "everyman for himself" mentality keeps society in check.
values demonstrated by collectivism such as courtesy, helping others, and hard work are also attainable through individualistic means.
honestly, neither is better. there should be a balance. enjoy life, but show love to your loved ones by sharing the burden.
the proper vernacular for "cool and street cred" is "reputation and respect". --- nuff said.
sorry not donee....
i hope that the living are safe,
the missing are found
and that the dead are at peace.
-Raymond Lim
I find it interesting but not surprising that Japan does not have the problem of looting. This idea of community abhorring violence and stealing can't easily be imagined in America, or, at least, not in my neighborhood.
I'm sure I speak for many when I say that my neighborhood isn't a violent one--it's rather peaceful, but that's about all I know about it. For an individual to be conditioned against violence and stealing by a "community value" would imply that they interact with that community, wouldn't it? That would be impossible for my neighborhood--I hardly ever see my neighbors, much less know who they are. If not for the lights on across the street at night, one would conclude that no one lives on my street. So how can I be influenced by my community? What do I care if a neighbor of mine judges me for looting? And who, of my fellow bloggers, feels like they have a community to turn to?
Both Raymond and Alex have excellent points. I probably should clarify what I mean by "societal order." In context, I mean this as "orderly conduct imposed on people because of societal pressures and stigmas."
I would challenge the idea that Japan as a conformist culture stifles innovation. Just look at all the robots they turn out.
Alex raises an excellent point about not knowing one's neighbors. The difference is fundamental and not easily abridged.
Personally, I value my individual freedom. However, a national sense of responsibility to the community is indeed one answer to looting and other consequences of self-interest.
On the question of what I would value more, individualism versus societal order, I would actually prefer society order. I understand that Americans have this pride of having freedom, but there sometimes is such a problem as having too much freedom.
I disagree with those who argue that strict conformity stifles creativity. Japan, like Peter notes, values conformity. However, they have a reputation for quality in their products (for example, automobiles and video games) and good innovation.
Alex also brings up the point that our sense of community is minimal at best. However, Japan's families don't really know their neighbors well either. It is not the lack of community that is the problem; it is the fact that we simply have different values. Asians have a very acute sense of shame (just talk to any first-generation Asian family) that is drastically different from what most Americans value. Anything that deviates from their values is viewed shamefully. Americans do not have this: just look at popular culture. If anything, it romanticizes crime and heavily emphasizes freedom from societal pressures. From this, therefore, as such ideas are so ingrained into our culture, it becomes impossible for us to start teaching values. Especially if telling our students "society first" sounds like Fascism or Communism.
I don't think that Peter's redefined "societal order" is necessarily the converse of individualism, as most people seem to be assuming. Having been to Japan, I don't think that their societal order is necessarily "collectivism" as Ray discussed. Peter's definition: "orderly conduct imposed on people because of societal pressures and stigmas" is exactly what it is- Japanese culture expects people to be RESPECTFUL, not to behave collectively. I think that is the big difference. Japanese people are definitely individual thinkers, as Anthony noted with his comment about the robots they create, but they also respect authority. To loot in Japan would be a travesty, and the internal derision that would result is worse than any enforced punishment. In my opinion, this discussion shouldn't be about individualism vs. collectivism, or even individualism vs. societal order. The real basis for the difference in behavior between Americans after Katrina and the Japanese now is a result of respect. And it's not hard for me to say I'd much rather live in a country where respect is paramount (though the Japanese are sometimes over the top).
Interesting thoughts, guys! Here's my take on things: Japanese innovation is not necessarily hindered by its overall conformist society because within each profession, there is freedom to innovate and explore. Even if some forms of daily behavior are restricted, people are free to explore and express themselves in art, music, architecture, science, and business.
I agree with Charlie's assessment of shame in Asian cultures. Even if you are only loosely associated with the Asian community, you or your parents most likely have an urge to not "lose face" to other members of the community (although I experienced little of this pressure). Although this can bring benefits, like emphasizing hard work, politeness, and education to young children, I also like certain aspects of individualism (as long as it doesn't conflict with the law). I don't think anybody should feel like they carry the responsibility of looking or acting a certain way to be accepted by society.
I pray for everyone in Japan to get better. I remember I was at a late night party around 2 in the morning when I heard what happened. We were watching TV and the alert pops up and all of a sudden one of my friends starts tripping out. He says "I have to call my dad and make sure he's safe." At first I couldn't really understand what was going on, until I realized that a lot of his family lives in Japan. I felt so sorry for him and hoped he got better. And I don't think people break the law to look "cool". I've done some dumb things I confess, but I hadn't done it to look cool. It was for my friends. You can't really blame society for crime if there are people out there who are starving. But I know, that still doesn't justificate their actions but we should still have some remorse for them.
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