TOPIC: Contemporary Japan

January 15, 2018 | Author: Anonymous | Category: Social Science, Sociology
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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

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