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CultureGrams TM

World Edition 2016

Japan

BACKGROUND

Land and Climate

Japan is slightly larger than Germany, or just smaller than the

U.S. state of Montana. It consists of four main islands:

Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. These are

surrounded by more than four thousand smaller islands.

Japan's terrain is largely mountainous, and most large cities

are positioned along the coasts. The nation has a few active

and many dormant volcanoes. Mount Fuji, located west of

Tokyo, on Honshu Island, is Japan's highest point, with an

elevation of 12,388 feet (3,776 meters). Mild earthquakes are

fairly common, and more destructive earthquakes hit every

few years. Volcanic eruptions are also fairly common in

Japan.

The nation experiences all four seasons. On Hokkaido and

in northern Honshu, winters can be bitterly cold. To the south,

a more tropical climate prevails. Otherwise, the climate is

temperate with warm, humid summers and mild winters. The

western side of the islands is usually colder than the eastern

side. Japan is subject to typhoons in August and September.

History

Imperial Origins and Feudal Period

Japan is known historically as the Land of the Rising Sun, as

symbolized by its flag. Beginning with Emperor Jimmu in

600 BC (according to legend), Japan has had a line of

emperors that continues to the present. From the 12th century

until the late 19th century, however, feudal lords (or shoguns)

held political control. Japan adopted a policy of strict

isolation and remained closed to nearly all foreign trade until

1853, when Matthew Perry of the U.S. Navy sailed into the

harbor of Edo (now Tokyo) to demand a treaty. The shoguns

lost power in the 1860s, and the emperor again took control.

The current emperor, Akihito, took the throne in 1989.

Akihito's father, Hirohito, was emperor from 1926 to 1989.

His reign was called Shōwa, which means “enlightened

peace,” and the deceased Hirohito is now properly referred to

as Emperor Shōwa. Akihito's reign is called Heisei, meaning

“achievement of universal peace.” Recently, concern has

risen over the future succession of the emperor, as there are

few males in the Japanese imperial family.

Japanese Expansion and World War II

Japan established itself as a regional power through military

victories against China (1895) and Russia (1905).

Involvement in World War I brought Japan enhanced global

influence, and the Treaty of Versailles expanded its land

holdings. The postwar years brought prosperity to the rapidly

changing nation. It soon began to exercise considerable

influence in Asia and subsequently invaded Manchuria and

much of China.

On 7 December 1941, Japan launched a successful air

attack on U.S. naval forces at Pearl Harbor. Its military

machine swiftly encircled most of Southeast Asia. But in

1943, the tide of the war turned against Japan. The United

States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in

the summer of 1945; complete collapse of the empire and

surrender ensued. A military occupation, chiefly by U.S.

forces, lasted from 1945 to 1952. In 1947, Japan adopted a

new constitution under U.S. direction, renouncing war,

granting basic human rights, and declaring Japan a

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democracy. The United States and Japan have since

maintained close political and military ties.

Liberal Democratic Party Dominance

Japan's postwar focus was on economic development, and the

country experienced rapid change and modernization. The

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) generally controlled politics

after World War II, although scandals in the 1980s and 1990s

led to high-level resignations and splinter parties. The LDP

was briefly the opposition party in 1995, but it regained

power in 1996. Facing severe economic woes in 1998, the

nation slid into recession. Japan's currency nearly collapsed

under the strain of bad bank loans and in conjunction with a

wider Asian economic crisis. By 1999, the LDP had to form a

coalition government to have the votes necessary to pass

legislation.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of the LDP came to

office in April 2001. The popular leader forced through major

economic reforms and helped restore Japanese confidence in

the political system. When Koizumi stepped down in

September 2006, Shinzō Abe won the LDP's leadership

election to succeed him as prime minister, but scandals and

the party's loss of the legislature's upper house forced Abe to

resign. The LDP chose Yasuo Fukuda to replace him in

September 2007. Less than a year later, Fukuda resigned in

the wake of political deadlock and persistently low approval

ratings.

In September 2008, Taro Aso became Japan's fourth prime

minister in two years. In September 2009 elections, the

Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won a majority of seats in

parliament, ending 50 years of near-total LDP rule. Three

separate prime ministers served during the DPJ's time in

power. Shinzō Abe became prime minister again in December

2012, as the LDP regained control of the legislature. The LDP

gains were seen as a reflection of early success for Abe's new

set of economic policies, including fiscal stimulus and

structural reforms, popularly known as "Abenomics."

2011 Earthquake and Tsunami

In March 2011, a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake occurred

roughly 70 miles from the coast of Japan, triggering a

massive tsunami that washed as far as 6 miles inland. Waves

from the tsunami reached heights of nearly 128 feet (39

meters). Nearly 16,000 people died, and thousands more were

injured. The earthquake was one of the most powerful

recorded earthquakes in the world. Extensive damage to

several nuclear power reactors resulted in radiation leaks, the

most notable of which was the power plant in Fukushima.

Japan restarted its first nuclear reactor in 2015, following new

safety procedures.

Recent Events and Trends

• Economic recession: In November 2014, Japan’s economy

fell into a recession. In response, Prime Minister Abe

dissolved parliament and called for an early election in

December, which his party won. The vote affirms Japan's

support for Abenomics, Abe's policies of government

spending and economic reforms.

• Parliament approves military bill: In September 2015,

Japan's parliament passed legislation on a bill that would

allow the country's military troops to fight overseas.

Following World War II, Japan's constitution, which was

written by the United States, only gave permission to use

force for "self-defense." Prime Minister Abe believes that a

strong military force will help the country defend itself from

growing threats from China and North Korea.

• Kyushu earthquakes: In April 2016, two destructive

earthquakes hit the island of Kyushu in southern Japan,

injuring thousands and leaving 44 people dead. The

6.2-magnitude and 7.3-magnitude quakes toppled many

homes and buildings and caused landslides. Japan is one of

the most seismically active countries in the world.

THE PEOPLE

Population

The majority of the population lives in urban areas. Almost

half are concentrated in three major metropolitan areas:

Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. As a result, Japan suffers from a

high cost of living and a lack of affordable urban housing.

Japan is 98.5 percent ethnic Japanese, with a small number of

Koreans (0.5 percent) and Chinese (0.4 percent). The Ainu

(an indigenous ethnic group whose habitation of Japan

predates the migration of ethnic Japanese) live mostly on

Hokkaido.

Language

Japanese is the official language. Although spoken Japanese

is not closely related to spoken Chinese, the written language

(kanji) is related to Chinese characters. Each kanji has at least

two "readings," or ways of pronouncing the word; one based

on the ancient Chinese pronunciation, and the other based on

the Japanese pronunciation. The Japanese also use two

phonetic alphabets (hiragana and katakana) simplified from

these characters. A third phonetic alphabet (romaji) uses

Roman letters. People are losing their ability to write the

complex kanji as they rely more on computers. Japanese can

be written vertically from right to left, or horizontally from

left to right. In 2011, English language instruction became

mandatory for elementary school grades five and six; English

is also taught in all secondary schools and is often used in

business.

Religion

Most Japanese practice a combination of Buddhism and

Shinto. Shinto has no recognized founder or central scripture

but is based on ancient mythology. It stresses a person's

relationship to nature and its many gods. All Japanese

emperors are considered literal descendants of the sun

goddess, Amaterasu. Shinto was important historically in

ordering social values, as illustrated by the Code of the

Warrior (Bushido), which stressed honor, courage, politeness,

and reserve. Shinto principles of ancestor veneration, ritual

purity, and a respect for nature's beauty are all obvious in

Japanese culture.

Many households continue to integrate aspects of Shinto

and Buddhism into their lives. For example, marriages often

follow Shinto traditions, and funerals, Buddhist ones.

Additionally, butsudan (Buddhist altars used to pay respects

to deceased family members) are common in homes, and

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kamidana (small Shinto shrines) are common in homes as

well as some shops. For most, however, this is done more out

of respect for social tradition than out of religious conviction.

About 2 percent of the population is Christian.

General Attitudes

Japanese society is group oriented. Loyalty to the group

(business, club, etc.) and to one's superiors is essential and

takes precedence over personal feelings. In business, loyalty,

devotion, and cooperation are valued over aggressiveness.

Companies traditionally provide lifetime employment to the

“salary-man” (full-time male professional) who devotes long

hours of work to the company. Devotion to the group is

central to the Japanese lifestyle. For example, someone with a

cold will voluntarily wear a face mask to help ensure nobody

else catches their cold. Japanese tend to avoid conversation

topics that can be divisive, especially topics such as politics

and religion. It is uncommon for people to discuss their

personal lives with coworkers, except among those they

consider to be close friends.

Customarily, the Japanese feel an obligation to return

favors and gifts. They honor age and tradition. “Losing face,”

or being shamed in public, is very undesirable. Gaman

(enduring patience) is a commonly respected trait that carries

one through personal hardship. Politeness is extremely

important. A direct “no” is seldom given, but a phrase like “I

will think about it” can mean “no.” Also out of politeness, a

“yes” may be given quickly, even though it only means the

person is listening or understands the speaker's request. One

is often expected to sense another person's feelings on a

subject by picking up on the person's tone of voice, even if

what is being said only hints at the truth (or is the opposite of

the truth). Some Westerners misinterpret this as a desire to be

vague or incomplete. The Japanese may consider a person's

inability to interpret feelings as insensitivity.

Many Japanese feel that consumerism, periods of

economic insecurity, less filial piety (devotion to ancestors),

and lower moral standards have all damaged social cohesion,

and they question the country's future course. Even as many

traditions remain strong, Japan's rising generation is revising

society's views of family relations, politics, and male and

female roles.

Personal Appearance

Conformity, even in appearance, is a common characteristic

of the Japanese. The general rule is to act similar to, or in

harmony with, the crowd. For youth this includes wearing the

latest fashions (U.S. and European) and colors.

Businessmen wear suits and ties in public. Businesswomen

generally wear pantsuits or blazers with skirts; bare legs are

not acceptable, and stockings or knee-high socks are

commonly worn.

Proper dress is necessary for certain occasions. Traditional

Japanese clothing, or wafuku, can be worn for social events or

special occasions, but it is equally common for people to wear

suits and formal dresses. Traditional clothing includes the

kimono, a long robe with long sleeves that is wrapped with a

special sash (obi). The kimono is worn by women and men,

though most commonly by women. The designs in the fabric

can be simple or elaborate. The yukata is similar to the

kimono; it is made of lighter fabric and worn in summer,

particularly to summer festivals and parties.

For celebrations, women wear dresses or kimono; married

women wear muted colors with short sleeves, while

unmarried women wear brighter colors with long sleeves. For

weddings, men wear dark suits and white ties or, less

commonly, kimono. To funerals, women wear black kimono

or, alternatively, simple black dresses with strings of pearls.

Men wear black suits with black ties to funerals.

Outside work or formal occasions, Japanese tend to dress

casually and conservatively; jeans and T-shirts, button-down

shirts worn with slacks or skirts, and dresses are common.

Plunging necklines or bare arms are usually avoided, and

baring the midriff (even on accident) is taboo. Dressing in

multiple layers is very common as well.

CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES

Greetings

A bow is the traditional greeting between Japanese. A bow is

correctly performed by standing with the feet together and

arms straight at one's side (women may fold their arms in

front of them) and bending at 45 degrees from the waist.

While performing a bow, people do not look directly in the

other person's eyes. Workers in the service industry may bow

with one palm on the stomach and the other on their back,

with elbows extending straight out. Persons wishing to show

respect or humility bow lower than the other person. The

Japanese shake hands with Westerners. While some

appreciate it when Westerners bow, others do not, especially

when the two people are not acquainted. Therefore, a

handshake is most appropriate for foreign visitors.

The Japanese usually greet strangers and superiors

formally, and titles are important in introductions. A family

name is used with the suffix -san. For example, members of

the Ogushi family would individually be called Ogushi-san in

Japan. The use of first names is reserved for family and

friends; however, a suffix is still generally used. Close friends

and family of children will call them by their first name with

a different suffix: -chan is used for girls and -kun for boys.

The greetings Japanese use depend on the relationship. A

worker might greet a superior with Ohayougozaimasu (Good

morning), but he or she would greet a customer with

Irasshaimase (Welcome). When business representatives

meet for the first time, they may tell each other

Hajimemashite (Nice to meet you). Between business

representatives, the exchange of business cards (offered and

accepted with both hands) most often accompanies a greeting.

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (Please consider me favorably) is a

common phrase said at the outset of group activities such as a

sports match or the beginning of a work project. Konnichiwa

(“Hello” or “Good day”) is a standard greeting. Ohayou (an

informal “Good morning”) and Genki? (How's it going?) are

common casual greetings among youth.

Gestures

The Japanese regard yawning in public as impolite. A person

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should sit up straight with both feet on the floor. Legs may be

crossed at the knee or ankle, but placing an ankle over a knee

is considered improper. One beckons by waving all fingers

with the palm down. It is polite to point with the entire hand

rather than the index finger. Shaking one hand from side to

side with the palm forward means “no.” A slight bow

accompanied by a chopping motion of the hand in front of the

face while walking down an aisle of seats signifies "Please

excuse me, coming through."

Making an X with the index fingers at chin level or with

forearms in front of the chest indicates "no" or "not allowed."

For example, a waiter might make the X sign at closing time,

indicating to incoming customers that no more service will be

provided that evening. Alternatively, the sign indicating "yes"

is made by forming an O with the hands and placing them in

front of the face or raising the arms high above the head.

These gestures are used somewhat like the “thumbs up” or

“thumbs down” sign is used in the West. People refer to

themselves by pointing an index finger at their nose. Laughter

does not necessarily signify joy or amusement; it can also be

a sign of embarrassment. Chewing gum in public is generally

considered ill-mannered.

Visiting

Visits usually are arranged in advance; spontaneous visits

between neighbors are uncommon in urban areas. The

Japanese remove shoes before stepping into a home. There is

usually a small entry area (genkan) between the door and

living area, where one stands to remove the shoes; shoes are

placed together pointing toward the outdoors, or they may be

placed in a closet or on a shelf in the genkan. People normally

take off their coats before stepping into the genkan. Slippers

often are worn inside but not in rooms with straw-mat floors (

tatami). Guests usually are offered the most comfortable seat.

The Japanese traditionally emphasize modesty and reserve.

When offered a meal, they express slight hesitation before

accepting it. Light refreshments are accepted graciously. In

business settings, the host generally offers either tea or coffee;

it is polite to take a sip, but the drink does not have to be

finished.

Out of modesty, the Japanese typically demur

compliments. Guests avoid excessive compliments on items

in the home because they would embarrass the hosts. Guests

customarily take a gift (usually fruit or cakes) to their hosts.

People give and accept gifts with both hands and a slight bow.

Some, especially the elderly, may consider it impolite to open

the gift right away. Gift giving is extremely important,

especially in business, because a gift says a great deal about

the giver's relationship to, and respect for, the recipient.

Food and drink are the most common gifts, as other kinds

of gifts would quickly clutter small homes. Sweets or rice

crackers are common gifts, as are seasonal fresh fruit, frying

oil, or coffee. Gifts of hand towels or cleaning products are

commonly given to welcome new neighbors. Gift giving

reaches its peak twice a year, in midsummer and at year's end.

During these seasons, giving the right-priced present (the

price is considered more important than the item) to all the

right people (family, friends, officials, and business contacts)

sets the tone for the rest of the year.

Eating

Although many young Japanese eat while walking in public,

it is generally considered bad manners to do so. Therefore,

snack foods sold at street stands are usually eaten at the stand.

In a traditional meal, people typically eat from a bowl while

holding it at chest level, instead of bending down to the table.

It is not impolite to drink soup directly from the bowl or to

make slurping sounds. Japanese use chopsticks (called hashi)

to eat most meals but generally eat Western-style food with

Western utensils. The main meal is eaten in the evening.

Because many men work late hours, they may eat dinner in

office-building restaurants or on the way home. The family

might also save dinner for the father and sit with him while he

eats.

LIFESTYLE

Family

Structure

The family is the foundation of Japanese society and is bound

together by a strong sense of reputation, obligation, and

responsibility. A person's actions reflect on the family, and as

people are often called by their family name, they are

continually reminded of that. Affection, spending time

together, and spousal compatibility are less important than in

other cultures.

Japanese society's emphasis on work and career greatly

affects family life. Employers have rigid expectations as to

the amount of time employees devote to their jobs, making it

difficult for full-time employees to spend time with their

families. Parental leave is difficult to take without

jeopardizing a career.

Long commutes, long work hours, and business

obligations outside of working hours often make it difficult

for urban fathers to spend time with their children. In rural

families where fathers may not have such obligations, fathers

are able to spend more time with their children. Divorce and

single parenthood are rare but increasing, and there are

economic pressures and social stigmas associated with both.

Society, however, is becoming more accepting of single

parents.

Parents and Children

Families generally have two children. Before children start

school, they are relatively free and are disciplined only

gently. As children grow, discipline usually becomes more

strict, and children are taught and disciplined to be aware of

the collective good. Often the school plays a primary role in

disciplining a child and may not refer infractions to the child's

parents. Families place great emphasis on their children's

education and make it possible for children to entirely devote

themselves to their studies. Children are often given only light

chores because their primary responsibility is to study.

Though rare, some high school students may move into a

small apartment closer to their high school. Parents might pay

for juku (cram schools) to help their children get better scores

on the standardized entrance exams. Most parents pay for the

entirety of their children's college education. Children tend to

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move out of the parental home only upon marriage or in the

event of a job transfer.

The declining birth rate, coupled with the population's

high life expectancy (the longest in the world), is changing

the structure of the family. Traditionally, elderly parents were

cared for at home, which also enabled them to be an influence

in the lives of their grandchildren. Most adult children,

especially an oldest son, feel an obligation to live with and

take care of their parents as they age. However, many

obstacles (including time and ability) pose problems to caring

for the elderly, who may live a long time with chronic

diseases. The demographic changes are beginning to be a

source of tension for individual families and the entire

society. Nursing homes are becoming a more viable option

for long-term care of the elderly.

Gender Roles

While the father is the head of the home, the mother is

responsible for managing household affairs, including

finances, and raising children. Traditionally, it was considered

improper for a woman to have a job. Today, about half of

working-age women work, though their positions are usually

lower than those held by men. Young women often quit work

after marrying, and those married women who do work

outside the home often have part-time or temporary positions

as opposed to the full-time permanent positions that men are

expected to commit to.

Housing

Urban

Living situations are usually cramped in cities. Many urban

residents live in apartments. Apartments come in a variety of

sizes and layouts, but a typical urban apartment has two

bedrooms. The main room is a combination living room,

dining room, and kitchen. Apartment complexes are made

with concrete or wooden exteriors of varying design.

Rural

Homes are more spacious in suburban and rural settings,

where there might be room for a vegetable garden or a

Japanese garden (which often features water, small bridges,

rocks or stones, and lanterns) with well-manicured trees. A

small plot of land can produce a good deal of rice, so flat land

is quite valuable. Rural homes are usually made of wood with

tiled roofs and are painted white. They generally consist of an

open kitchen and dining area, which is divided from

bedrooms and guest rooms by fusuma (sliding paper doors).

Older rural homes often feature a glass-enclosed veranda,

which functions as a sunroom.

Home Life

Many homes feature some elements of traditional Japanese

décor, such as a tokonoma (a wall alcove in which flowers or

hanging scrolls are displayed) and fusuma (which can be

opened to turn two small rooms into a larger one). A

traditional bed, called a futon, lies on tatami (woven mat)

flooring. To increase space during the day, the futon is folded

up and kept in a closet. While many people still use a futon,

Western-style beds are becoming increasingly popular,

especially in urban areas.

Homes usually contain an entryway, where shoes are

removed and stored. Floors are slightly elevated from the

entryway, so guests and residents step up when they enter a

house or an apartment, after putting on slippers. Bathrooms

contain a shower—usually installed close to the ground and

used while sitting—and a deep bathtub. Bathtubs are used for

post-shower soaking, and a whole family might use the same

water. Toilets are located in a separate room, in which one

wears a specific pair of slippers. Washers may be located in

bathrooms, and clothes are generally hung outside to dry.

Most kitchens have gas stoves and a small gas grill for

cooking fish. Ovens are rare; instead, people may use toaster

ovens or microwaves with an oven function for baking.

Most homes are not equipped with central heat or air

conditioning. People purchase their own fans, space heaters,

or air conditioners. Rooms may also be heated with a kotatsu

(a table with an electric heating unit underneath and a duvet

that wraps around the table and covers the legs of people

sitting around the table). A room with a kotatsu is most likely

decorated in traditional Japanese style—that is, having walls

with a muted color and furniture that is low to the ground.

Home Ownership

In cities residents tend to be renters, and in rural areas

residents tend to be owners. Roughly half the population

owns a home. Many young people save money for a house

while living with their parents, and parents often help children

pay the large deposits banks require to secure a mortgage.

Very often the eldest son inherits his parents’ home. The

upkeep of older homes can be expensive, and deteriorating

materials that are required to meet continually improving

earthquake standards make older homes undesirable. Land is

worth more than houses, so people tend to either tear down

old houses and rebuild or buy new homes.

Japanese companies tend to employ people for life but

transfer them to new offices every three to four years. The

expectation of constant relocation means that families tend to

buy homes where they intend to retire, rather than homes that

are close to their places of work. Mothers and children might

live in such a house while fathers commute long distances or

rent small apartments near the office, coming home only on

weekends.

Dating and Marriage

Dating and Courtship

Some Japanese youth begin dating around age 15, though

most have little free time or spending money at that age. In

college, people have more time and opportunity to date.

Couples meet through school, clubs, and friends who set up

gokon. A gokon is a group blind date in which a couple

invites a small group of their friends to a restaurant for drinks

and to get to know one another. Some people turn to a

matchmaker (generally an older female relative or friend) to

introduce them to local singles looking to marry. After a

series of formal introductions in which parents and the

matchmaker are present, couples who like each other continue

dating on their own. In the past, people may have met using

an omiai (introduction service), but today internet dating is

becoming more popular. Most couples avoid public displays

of affection.

Engagement

A wedding is a serious event that celebrates the joining of two

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families. A yuino (engagement ceremony) involving the

couple's parents occurs after the groom has asked the bride to

marry him. The groom and his parents visit the bride and her

parents at her home or a restaurant. According to tradition, the

groom's family offers yuinomon (gifts that are decorated with

origami turtles and cranes, symbols of eternity and long life)

to the bride's family. Yuinohin is money traditionally offered

to the bride's family during the yuino. While some families

follow these traditions, more commonly the families share a

meal to get to know each other and decide on the details of

the wedding. If the families live far apart, they may simply

meet the day before the wedding ceremony to have a meal or

drinks together.

Weddings

Men and women usually marry in their late twenties or early

thirties. Weddings can be elaborate and expensive. The cost

of a wedding is usually split evenly between the groom’s and

bride’s families, although guests also contribute cash

gifts—presented in elaborately decorated envelopes to the

bride—to offset the costs. Some of these cash gifts, especially

those given by family members, may be returned to

compensate guests for travel costs.

The bride and groom commonly give gifts such as plates

or glasses to their guests. Couples navigate complex

traditional wedding etiquette and the symbolism of gift giving

with the help of wedding planners and etiquette guides.

Wedding ceremonies generally consist of three major events:

kekkonshiki (the wedding ceremony), attended by family and

sometimes friends; hiroen (the reception party), attended by

family, close friends, and selected coworkers; and finally,

nijikai (the "after party" or "second party"), which includes all

wedding guests plus friends and coworkers who could not

attend the reception).

Although Western-style white weddings are very common

in Japan, many couples are married in Shinto ceremonies,

which can take place at temples or, more commonly, at hotels

or wedding halls with small Shinto temples built in them. A

Shinto priest officiates at the ceremony, which is attended

only by close family. The couple is ritually purified, drinks

sake (a rice-based alcoholic beverage), exchanges rings, and

makes a ceremonial offering to the gods. The couple wear

traditional kimono for the ceremony.

After the ceremony, the couple is announced at the

reception, where friends, coworkers, and family have

gathered. At the reception, friends and relatives give

speeches, sing songs, and enjoy a formal meal. It is common

also for the bride and groom to invite their bosses to give a

speech about what kind of work they do and what kind of

workers they are. Receptions may also include more recent

additions such as slideshows of the bride and groom as

children and games and prizes for guests. The bride and

groom often change outfits several times, including Western

wedding outfits for photographs and socializing and different

clothing for an evening party. Female guests wear either

kimono or dresses, and men wear dark suits.

Same-sex marriage is not legal in Japan. In 2015, Tokyo's

Shibuya ward (municipality) issued its first certificate

recognizing same-sex unions; however, these are not legally

binding.

Life Cycle

Birth

During the fifth month of pregnancy, a family might go to a

Shinto shrine and ask the gods for a safe birth. The priest

presents the mother with a haraobi (a long white sash with a

picture of a dog on it), which represents an easy birth. The

sash is wrapped around and under the pregnant woman’s

stomach to support her back and keep her belly warm. The

sash is replaced or re-blessed every 12 days. Babies are

delivered in hospitals and stay with the mother there for about

a week. Traditionally, the new mother goes to her parents’

house for 20 to 30 days after leaving the hospital. During this

time the baby’s grandmother looks after the mother.

On the seventh day after the birth, called oshichiya, the

baby’s name is announced and family and friends gather for a

meal. Among more religious families, a plaque with the

baby’s name written in calligraphy is hung on the wall.

Naming a baby in Japanese is complicated because many

considerations must be weighed, such as the number of kanji

(Chinese characters) in the name, their pronunciation (based

on the different readings kanji can have), the number of

strokes in the kanji, and how they sound and look with the

last name. Some families consult Shinto shrines to determine

the most auspicious name for their child. Girls' names tend to

be taken from nature, for example, Yukiko (child of snow),

while concepts like justice, peace, or abundance (Noboru) are

common for boys. When a newborn is a month to one

hundred days old, his or her parents bring the child to a

Shinto shrine for a ceremonial blessing. The blessing, called

omiyamairi, is performed to thank the gods for a healthy birth

and to ask the local deity (associated with natural objects like

trees, rivers, and mountains) to bless and accept the baby as

part of the local shrine.

Milestones

Each year on 15 November, a festival called Shichigosan

(which literally means “seven five three”) celebrates the

well-being of young children. Boys take part when they are

three and five years old, girls when they are three and seven.

Parents dress their children in kimono and take them to Shinto

shrines, where families pray for the children's good health.

Children are given long paper bags filled with candy and

decorated with turtles and cranes (which represent longevity).

A family portrait is often taken at a photo studio.

Young people are considered adults at age 20. After this

age, a person can legally purchase alcohol, smoke, and vote.

The second Monday in January is Coming of Age Day, when

those who have turned 20 within the last year are honored as

becoming adults in a ceremony called Seijinshiki. Young

women have their hair professionally styled and wear furisode

kimono (elegant kimono with long sleeves). Men wear kimono

or suits. At the Seijinshiki, which takes place at city hall, the

new adults listen to speeches by government officials about

their responsibility to be proper members of society.

Afterward, the young people pose for pictures and attend

parties.

One's sixtieth birthday, or kanreki, is cause for a special

celebration. The person wears a traditional red sleeveless

kimono jacket and is presented with gifts by his or her

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children and grandchildren. It is common for a 60-year-old to

take a trip or to enjoy a nice meal out with the family.

Death

Traditional funerals are formal affairs, though there is a trend

toward more casual gatherings where people reminisce about

the deceased. Funeral guests are expected to contribute

money, presented in a special black-and-white envelope, to

offset the cost of the funeral. The family gives guests a gift in

return, usually a household item (such as a blanket or plate)

that will remind them of the deceased. The body of the

deceased is generally returned to its home, where it remains

for one night while a Buddhist monk prays and burns incense.

Bodies are cremated, not buried. After a funeral, a Buddhist

monk comes to the home to pray for the deceased weekly for

49 days. After the 49th day, the ashes of the deceased are

moved from the home to the graveyard. The family might

also clean the grave on the anniversary of the death and on the

Obon holiday, in August. White chrysanthemums are

commonly used for decorations at funerals. The family

generally buys a butsudan (altar) for their home, on which

they place offerings and a photo of the deceased.

Diet

The Japanese diet consists largely of rice, fresh vegetables,

seafood, fruit, and small portions of meat. Most dishes use

soy sauce, fish broth, or sweet sake (alcohol made from

fermented rice). Rice and tea are part of almost every meal.

Western food (such as U.S. fast food) is increasingly popular,

especially among the youth. Popular Japanese foods include

miso (bean paste) soup, noodles (ramen egg noodles, udon

wheat noodles, and soba buckwheat noodles), curry and rice,

sashimi (uncooked fish), tofu, and pork. Sushi is made usually

with a combination of fish (cooked or raw) and lightly

vinegared rice. Sometimes a vegetable, such as cucumber, or

an egg roll is added to the dish or used instead of fish. Sushi

wrapped in dried seaweed (nori) is called norimaki. While

sushi can be bought at kaiten sushi bars (restaurants that serve

sushi from a conveyor belt) for as little as one U.S. dollar,

good quality sushi and sashimi is expensive and usually

reserved for special occasions.

Recreation

Sports

Badminton, soft tennis (a kind of tennis played with a soft

white ball), table tennis, soccer, and basketball are all popular

sports. Students learn how to play most sports at school.

Baseball, brought to Japan in the 1870s by a professor from

the United States, is the country's most popular sport. It is

highly competitive at all levels. The entire country follows the

annual national high school championships. Teams often bow

to the field or court at the beginning and end of practice.

Hiking and mallet golf (like miniature golf but played with

croquet-like mallets and a hard ball slightly bigger than a

tennis ball) are popular with retired couples. Golf, while

expensive, is popular among men. The Japanese also enjoy

traditional sports such as sumo wrestling (a popular spectator

sport), judo, kendo (fencing with bamboo poles), and karate.

Tokyo has been selected to host the 2020 Summer Olympic

Games.

Leisure

During their leisure time, people enjoy television, karaoke,

movies, video games, and nature outings. Employees with

intense jobs might use their leisure to time catch up on sleep

or spend time with family. Many enjoy reading books,

comics, and magazines; simply standing and reading

magazines at the store is a popular pastime. Cities usually

have community education centers where classes are offered,

and elderly people in particular enjoy pursuing artistic

hobbies such as ceramics, woodblock print making, painting,

calligraphy, flower arranging, and traditional Japanese dance.

Some activities vary according to the season. In the spring,

people enjoy picnics under the cherry blossoms in public

parks. In the summer, there are large firework displays and

festivals. In the fall, people often visit parks to see the leaves

changing colors. Winter activities include skiing and

snowboarding and regional festivals. During the winter, some

schools flood the soccer field to turn it into a skating rink.

Vacation

Because annual school holidays are fairly uniform across the

country, most of the country takes vacation at the same time,

typically in the summer. Local destinations fill up quickly,

and the price of plane tickets increases significantly at this

time. Popular domestic destinations include the shrines and

temples of Kyoto and package tours of theme parks, such as

Tokyo Disney and Universal Studios Japan. Urban families

often take trips to the beach or visit relatives.

The Arts

In Japan, Western arts such as symphonic music and ballets

are common, but many important traditional arts exist. Older

adults favor puppet theater (bunraku) and highly stylized

drama (noh and kabuki). Kabuki is known for spectacular sets

and costumes. Like noh, it blends dance, music, and acting.

The Japanese also attend musical concerts. Gagaku is one of

the oldest types of Japanese music. It is played with string and

wind instruments and drums. Pop music is a major part of

Japanese culture.

Calligraphy (shodo) is well respected. Haiku, a form of

poetry developed in the 17th century, in which writers portray

scenes from Japanese life and nature, is also popular. Flower

arranging (ikebana) has been evolving since the sixth century.

The tea ceremony (sado), prescribing precise details of the

tea's preparation and serving, is an art form originating in the

16th century. Woodblock printing (ukiyoe) is another

traditional art form that has been around since the 17th

century. Modern art includes manga (comics) and anime

(animation), both of which are immensely popular.

Holidays

National holidays include New Year's, Coming of Age Day

(also called Adults' Day, second Monday in January),

National Foundation Day (11 Feb.), Vernal Equinox (in

March), Golden Week (29 April–5 May), Maritime Day (third

Monday in July), Respect for the Aged Day (third Monday in

September), Autumnal Equinox (in September), Fitness Day

(second Monday in October), Culture Day (3 Nov.), Labor

Thanksgiving Day (23 Nov.), and Emperor Akihito's Birthday

(23 Dec.).

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Japan

Importance of Holidays

Japan's three major holiday seasons are the New Year,

Golden Week, and the Obon festival. Golden Week (29

April–5 May) combines the holidays of Shōwa Day (29 April,

honoring Emperor Hirohito), Constitution Day (3 May),

Greenery Day (4 May, celebrating nature's beauty), and

Children's Day (5 May). Aside from these three major holiday

seasons, many national holidays are relatively modern and

hold little significance for the average Japanese, besides

providing a welcome day off from school or work. For

example, few people celebrate Maritime Day or Respect for

the Aged Day.

New Year's

People generally take several days off from work surrounding

New Year’s. People also visit shrines and relatives during this

time. Many people also send out New Year's cards to friends

and family. The post office collects these cards and delivers

them all on the first of January. Children receive money from

their parents or grandparents. Families put up special

decorations and eat special foods, such as mochi (pounded

sticky rice).

Obon Festival

The Obon festival takes place over several days in

mid-August, with dates varying by region. Traditionally,

Obon is the time of year when the spirits of deceased

ancestors returned home. While some families have

household shrines for their deceased ancestors where they can

make frequent offerings, Obon is important because the

family gathers to make an offering at the burial site. The

family often cleans the grave and places there incense or an

offering of food and drink the deceased liked. Obon is also a

time to meet up with friends from childhood.

Other Festivals

In addition to national holidays, hundreds of festivals are held

around the country, at which stalls are set up to sell street

food and house games for kids. Children's dance troupes are

commonly featured as well. During spring there are festivals

celebrating the cherry blossoms, and during the summer,

those that celebrate the rice harvest. Some festivals include

the procession of a Shinto deity in a portable shrine, carried

by men wearing jackets called happi. Other popular festivals

include Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Festival, where participants

wear a minimum of clothing), Onbashira (The Log Festival,

during which participants cut down a tree and erect the log

near a Shinto shrine), and Honen Matsuri (Harvest Festival,

celebrating fertility). Some are held yearly, while others (like

Onbashira) occur only every six or seven years. Most

holidays are rooted in religious tradition, but some are

modern inventions. Some cities declare days off for the

festivals, while other festivals are held on the weekend.

Other Holidays

A growing number of Japanese celebrate Christmas,

Valentine’s Day, and White Day. Though few Japanese are

Christian, it is not uncommon for people to celebrate

Christmas by getting together with friends and eating

Christmas cake (cream-filled sponge cake decorated with

strawberries) and sometimes fried chicken (both of which are

viewed as common Western Christmas foods). On Valentine’s

Day (14 Feb.), girls give chocolates to boys in whom they are

interested. Boys reciprocate their interest on White Day (14

Mar.) by giving girls chocolates or decorated boxes of

cookies.

SOCIETY

Government

Structure

Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary

government. Emperor Akihito is head of state but has no

governing power, though the emperor is deeply respected by

the Japanese people. The monarchy is hereditary.

Traditionally, the emperor's line was allowed to pass only

through men, but in recent years, there have been discussions

about amending the succession laws to include women,

because the number of men in line for the throne has

drastically decreased. The prime minister is head of

government. The legislature designates the prime minister,

who is usually the leader of the majority party there.

Japan's legislature, called the Diet, consists of a 242-seat

House of Councilors (the upper house) and a 475-seat House

of Representatives (the lower house). Councilors are elected

to six-year terms; representatives are elected to four-year

terms. The Diet is filled through a combination of

majoritarian and proportional representation elections. More

than one hundred seats in the Diet are held by second or third

generations of a family, as voter loyalty to local political

families is often stronger than a desire for qualified

candidates.

Political Landscape

Several political parties are active in Japan, though the

conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has maintained

firm power in Japanese politics for all but a few years since

the end of World War II. The LDP's current major rival is the

center-left Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). The DPJ was

formed in 1998 with the merging of several other parties.

Party ideologies in Japan are sometimes not very well

defined, which means that individuals within a party may

share quite different views on how to address important issues

in Japanese politics. These issues include the status of Japan's

nuclear energy program following the Fukushima disaster;

years of slow economic growth; Japan's aging population and

low birth rate; and differing interpretations of Article 9 of

Japan's constitution, which prohibits Japan from engaging in

war.

A major political dynamic of Japanese politics is known as

the "iron triangle," which describes the relationship between

the Diet (practically speaking, the LDP), the government

bureaucracy, and Japan's business conglomerates. Close

relationships among these three groups have allowed Japan to

become an economic superpower but have also contributed to

corruption and a lack of transparency.

Government and the People

Japan's constitution protects a variety of freedoms and

prohibits many forms of discrimination. The government

generally respects constitutional freedoms and combats

unconstitutional discrimination. The government is able to

provide a range of goods and services to its citizens.

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Japan

Corruption surrounding the relationship between big business

and the government in Japan has historically been a problem,

though recent efforts have been made to reduce corruption.

Elections are generally free, fair, and transparent. In recent

years, voter turnout has ranged between 50 and 60 percent.

The voting age is 18.

Economy

Japan has one of the world's largest economies even though it

has few natural resources and imports most raw materials.

Also, because only about 11 percent of the land is suitable for

cultivation, Japan imports nearly half of its food supply.

Major local crops include rice, sugar, vegetables, tea, and

fruit. Japan is a leading supplier of fish. Nearly all exports are

manufactured items, including automobiles, electronic

equipment, and televisions. Major industries include

machinery, metals, engineering, electronics, textiles, and

chemicals. The United States is Japan's biggest trading

partner. An economic downturn of the 1990s badly damaged

the economy, which has remained largely stagnant ever since.

The 2008 global economic crisis led to a sharp decline in

world demand for Japan's exports, a factor in pushing the

economy into recession. Local and international economic

markets were also damaged as a result of the massive

earthquake in early 2011. Despite eventual economic growth

after the earthquake, the economy again fell into recession in

November 2014. The currency is the yen (JPY).

Transportation and Communications

A highly developed, efficient mass-transit system of trains

and buses is the principal mode of transportation in urban

areas. Bullet trains (Shinkansen) provide rapid transportation

between major cities. Subways are also available. Many

people have private cars. Traffic is often heavy in large cities.

Japan has five international airports.

Its communications system is modern and well developed.

Most people have cellular phones and are regular internet

users. Newspapers and magazines are widely read. The press

is generally free of direct government interference, though

close relationships between media, government, and business

sometimes lead to self-censorship.

Education

Structure and Access

Education is highly valued in Japanese society. Students are

expected to try their hardest in school and take academics

seriously. Primary school begins at age six and lasts six years.

At age 12, students enter junior high school, which lasts three

years. High school, also three years long, follows. Education

is compulsory and free in public schools from ages six to

fifteen. After age 15, students must pay tuition to continue

their studies in high school. Parents must cover expenses such

as uniforms, textbooks, school trips, and, if necessary, fees for

private juku (cram schools, which focus on making sure

individual students perform at their expected level while

preparing them for difficult secondary school entrance

exams).

Most children attend three years of day care (hoikuen)

before they enter the official school system. Because

education is such a large part of childhood, beginning

kindergarten (yochien) is a big step in a child’s life.

Kindergarten students walk to school by themselves and are

expected to be responsible for their behavior at school. Once

children have entered school, they are expected to be prepared

and prompt.

Almost all children go to public schools. Some private

schools focus on teaching students who did not perform well

on standardized tests. Other students attend prestigious

private schools, provided they pass difficult entrance exams

(even at the kindergarten level). Some prestigious public or

private high schools are "attached" to competitive

universities, which gives graduates from these schools an

advantage during the application process (for example, by

allowing them to bypass standard entrance exams) and can

aid in finding a job in the future.

School Life

The public school curriculum is set at the national level and is

generally uniform across the country. This uniformity can

lead to inflexibility, preventing teachers from adjusting their

teaching for students with different learning styles. In

elementary school, much of the focus is on learning the

difficult reading and writing system. At all levels, the

curriculum stresses math and sciences and places heavy

emphasis on standardized testing. Students must pass an exam

in order to enter a public high school. Those students who do

not pass usually enter a private high school instead. Parents

often enroll their children in juku schools (which hold lessons

after regular schools hours and on weekends) to help them

prepare for these tests. While technically it is legal to enter

the work force at the end of junior high school, it is virtually

impossible to find a job, so the majority of students attend

senior high school.

In junior high, students spend much of their time at school

participating in clubs and activities intended to foster group

spirit. It is not unusual for students to practice sports or attend

activities before school, on the weekend, and in the evenings.

Elementary schools do not have clubs and a student's

extracurricular time during high school is dedicated to

preparing for entrance exams, so junior high is the time when

life-long friends are made.

Higher Education

University entrance exams are rigorous, and competition

among students is intense. Students study for years and cram

for months to take them. Getting into the most prestigious

schools is more important than one's ultimate performance at

that school. Once a student passes the right tests and enters a

junior technical college (resulting in an associate-level

degree) or university (a bachelor's and advanced

degree–issuing institution), the academic expectations are less

strenuous. Graduation from the nation's top universities

usually guarantees students well-paying jobs.

Health

The Japanese enjoy one of the highest standards of health in

the world, with a very low infant mortality rate and a high life

expectancy rate. Medical facilities are very good. Companies

are generally responsible for providing insurance benefits to

employees and their families. In addition to a yearly physical

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offered by the employer, cities provide screening exams for

people based on their age and gender. A government health

insurance plan exists for the self-employed and unemployed.

Pollution in urban centers ranks among the nation's major

health concerns.

AT A GLANCE

Contact Information

Embassy of Japan, 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW,

Washington, DC 20008; phone (202) 238-6700; web site

www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html. Japan National Tourist

Organization, phone (212) 757-5640; web site

www.jnto.go.jp.

Country and Development Data

Capital Tokyo

Population 126,919,659 (rank=10)

Area (sq. mi.) 145,914 (rank=61)

Area (sq. km.) 377,915

Human Development Index 17 of 187 countries

Gender Inequality Index 25 of 152 countries

GDP (PPP) per capita $37,800

Adult Literacy 99% (male); 99% (female)

Infant Mortality 2.13 per 1,000 births

Life Expectancy 80 (male); 87 (female)

Currency Yen

CultureGrams TM

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