Why Japan?
A few days back i got a mail from a stranger who was impressed looking at my blogs that he wanted to ask me the following question. Well, the content of the question made me write to him back and never cared his whereabouts.What makes (and always has made) Japan and it's people, culture, food, history, geography, etc., so unique and compelling to you, compared to other countries ? Or if you've traveled to Japan before, what made (and still makes) Japan, it's geography, people and culture, so beautiful, unique and compelling to you ?
This was my reply to the stranger...
Japan has been an un-explored nation by the world nations and even today it is not well understood. Though you may find books and articles from different people mentioning their experience and their inferences. I am sure reading every thing will feed you with contradicting ideas about Japan and Japanese culture and people.
I have known Japan and its people for the last 5 years.I have known other developed nations and I certainly feel Japan is a unique place that I am very much impressed staying in this nation.
Let me brief you its uniqueness from my viewpoint on various factors before going on to the fact as why it is so compelling to me.
The various traits that you find about Japan and its people:
1.Japan is geographically located where the country has a pleasant atmosphere all through the year. The country has rich rains and sun. The country also experiences cold and heat that's tolerable and enjoyable.
2.Japanese love nature. This love for nature has come as they worship nature in their culture and religion. When greenery is worshiped, nature is preserved. So nature original beauty is preserved.
3.Japan has a culture of their own and they are proud of their culture even in today's modern world that even today's generation who has a modern vision try to imbibe their culture.
4.Japanese mainly speak their own language and they are not still comfortable with English. Japanese language is always spoken with respect and this has affected their thinking.When a Japanese has to express a strong criticism, they appear mild and humble in expressing strong view points in their language, but their facial expressions and their speech tones convey rest of the feelings. Certainly this becomes a deceiving factor for the foreigners as they miss-understand a Japanese view point.
5.In Japanese shintoism, they worship their ancestors, so respecting elders is a in-born behavior of any Japanese. This in-born behavior has developed a Japanese mindset as being kind and very patient.
6.Japanese language has Kanji, a pictorial representation of words. So Japanese has a in-built characteristic where they form opinions about peoples on their behavior and appearances.
7.Japanese has a traditional food culture. Japan has a food culture of eating rice and sea foods and this binds every Japanese to their country.
8. From the age of Samurai's Japanese cannot accept embarrassment in their society or in any form.
The above said traits has made the nation and its people in the following way.
1. Japanese love to live in a community as they are comfortable in their own lifestyles and practices. So they look conservative to some but their very nature to avoid embarrassment make them very kind to other people.
2. The culture of worshiping nature has got them the characteristic of keeping their country clean.
3. Japan subways,metros or any remote place is safe all through day and night. You will not find any tampered dispensers in the country. This is their characteristics to avoid embarrassment and the crime rate in Japan is very very low compared to other developed nations.They try to live in harmony though they carry huge differences amongst them.So naturally they have the maturity to control their temperments.
4.Cartoon and toy industry is famous here as their imaginary traits of such pictures and shapes into real world has let Japan leader in these industries.
5. As the unique community live in these small pieces of Island, they have not migrated much even though Japanese colonized many countries in the 19th century. The community has learnt to live in small pockets hence miniaturization of things was a necessity more than invention in Japan. It is the result that you see many miniaturized products of various kinds.
6. 80% of the population are middle class and salaried persons so the society has always lives in harmony without much society status differences.
7. Japanese business men's are similar to any other businessman that you can find in the world except for that fact that Japanese business behaviors is a culmination of all the traits described above that their business decision are confined and restricted on certain aspects that becomes highly misleading to foreigners.
8. I am sure that no developed nation in the world can boast of a terrorist free nation except Japan.
9. As the country has a homogeneous race, culture and language throughout, the possibility of differences among different among doesn't exist as it is observed in other countries.
10.The culmination of their characteristics makes Japanese to treat foreigners of even third world and under developed with dignity that makes such gaijins enjoy their living in Japan.
11. Well, it is certainly obvious that this conservative society cannot treat a gaijin as one among them but they certainly don't provoke them on such alienations.
Now I will explain you why it is compelling that I Stay here.
When you live in a society that is not provoking you in any way, you have no reason to hate them.
When you live in a society that enjoys peace and harmony, you will like them.
When you live in a society that respects you, you will feel proud to stay amongst them.
When you live in a country that leads the worlds economy you are bound to enjoy its by-factors.
When you live in a country that is terror free, I feel it is the safe place in today's world.
When you live in a country that makes world latest products in every industry you will certainly feel proud to be a part of them.
Saying all this I feel I have answered his question in culmination.
posted by Unknown @ 6:27 PM
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