Tendou_Jin
at 2022-07-17 02:29:35 UTC
As a matter of fact, having a 'first contact' with a Japanese is quite easy and they tend to be very receptive towards small talk with foreigners. This holds for as long as there is no group of people or organization involved. Once you attempt to establish a long going relationship with them, they bail out and become distant. Quite frustrating really. There is one exception though. By showing great amounts of effort and achievement, through admiration they tend to stick closer to anyone, even foreigners.
Log in to reply.
Japanese cultural and social significance.
Disclaimer: This opinion is based on my personal studies and experience speaking with Japanese people. There is no intention of denying other theories and cultural aspects. Please share your theories in a reply or in another discussion.
Point 1:
We need to start from the year 1845 when Abe Mashiro replaced Mizuno Tadakuni as the head of the Roku. Japan had been trading with the Netherlands and many other countries were starting to take notice. The dutch began a diplomatic mission to urge Japan to open its markets and trade with the west. Japan refused this request and despite this many ships from foreign countries still attempted to enter the country. (you can read more about this specific topic here: https://www.britannica.com/place/Japan/The-opening-of-Japan)
Point 2:
After the opening of Japans markets to the world, the beginnings of the Meiji period and the Meiji restoration began. The government of Japan began using Bushido (武士道, "the way of the warrior") which became known as Meiji Bushido to propagandize the citizens of Japan, and enforce a worship of the emperor and self-sacrifice which slightly influences Japanese social relations to this day. Among the ideas and concepts presented in Meiji Bushido is the concept of "Uniqueness" which implies that Japanese people are superior to all other races of world.
Point 3:
Japanese people have often been characterized as a "collectivist" society meaning that rather than forming social relations around hierarchies and institutions such as in individualist societies. Japanese people tend be more dependent on a group of people or organization. As such is the case it is very difficult to enter the group once it is established as any outsider could possibly threaten the status quo if their intentions are not checked at the gate. (ie: gate keeping)
With all of this in mind the conclusion to this opinion peace is that Japan is very wary of those who are different than them and do not allow just anyone into their group. You could take this a step further and say that they don't allow just anyone into their country as is supported by the fact that Japan is made up of a population of 97.1% Japanese with some of strictest visa and residency requirements of any developed nation rivaled only by Vatican city and China. As such is the case foreigners in Japan who have immigrated and become naturalized citizens find it very difficult to have social relations with native born Japanese citizens. That is why I believe this word is a great summarization of the type of social relationships Japanese people have to foreigners: Quite exclusionary.