In Japan, stepping off the plane feels like walking into a schizofrenic world where the past and the future live side by side. It’s a country that shut its doors to outsiders for more than two centuries with the Sakoku edict of 1635. But walk around Tokyo today, and you’ll see none of that isolationism anymore. Instead, you find a country that’s not just open but has turned mixing the old with the new into an art form. Here, ancient temples share the skyline with neon-lit skyscrapers, and bullet trains whiz past towns where time seems to stand still. Japan today welcomes the world with open arms, embodying a blend of tradition and innovation that’s uniquely its own.
Japan’s culture is a masterclass in the art of assimilation, adopting elements from across the globe and infusing them with a distinctly Japanese twist. From baseball and pop music to fashion and Shogun lore, the country demonstrates an unparalleled ability to honour its roots while embracing the new. Study the language, with its peculiar mix of Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana. Or look at fashion, where you might see people dressed in traditional kimonos, children who look like 19th-century dolls and grown men and women in the latest urban streetwear trends that scream individuality. This cultural dynamism turns Japan into a living, breathing paradox, where the ancient and the avant-garde not only coexist but flourish together.
The idiosyncratic nature of Japanese society extends to how it has absorbed and adapted foreign concepts such as the Chinese concept of “miànzi” (face). “Miànzi” refers to a cultural understanding of respect, honour, and social standing. Actions or words that are disrespectful may cause somebody to “lose face” while gifts, awards and other respect-giving actions may “give face.” Confucius taught that if you lead people with excellence and put them in their place through roles and ritual practices, in addition to developing a sense of shame, they will order themselves harmoniously. You’d expect the Japanese to have a very similar understanding of the Chinese concept of “miànzi”, but they have changed it altogether.
Japanese people understand the importance of saving face, of maintaining social harmony and the respect that comes with it. Yet, they also know that everyone has their moments, and rather than shunning those who slip up, there’s an undercurrent of empathy and understanding. Take the Japanese work ethic of long hours, dedication and a lot of effort to ensure the group’s success. But here’s where it gets interesting: Japan also has this incredible way of letting go. Ever heard of a “nomikai”? It’s essentially a drinking party with co-workers and it’s where the strict hierarchies of the workplace melt away. One minute you’re bowing to your boss, and the next, you’re drunk and sharing a laugh over a beer. It’s in these moments that the concept of “miànzi” reveals its Japanese translation: it accommodates both the pressure to perform and the need to unwind.
While the concept of “miànzi”, in some form or other, is vital across Asia, Japan’s interpretation blends honour with an unexpected leniency. The Japanese grasp the importance of maintaining social harmony and the respect that comes with it. They acknowledge that everyone experiences highs and lows. Instead of ostracizing someone for a lapse, there’s a collective understanding and empathy. This subtle handling of face, which mediates between societal norms and personal expression, underscores the distinctive idiosyncratic character of Japanese society. It emphasizes not the concealment of one’s true self but the art of manoeuvring the fine line between public respect and personal authenticity.
Unlike the Germans, the Japanese have never shown any atonement over their part in WWII. The cataclysmic events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, followed by the American occupation, must have made the Japanese feel like victims not perpetrators. The Japanese interpretation of “miànzi” seems in many ways the direct result of their rather half-hearted way of “Wiedergutmachung”. Without explicitly acknowledging guilt for wartime aggression, Japan simply embarked on a journey of rebuilding and reimagining its place in the world, often seen through its willingness to adopt and adapt foreign influences. This period profoundly reshaped Japan’s identity, fostering a culture that values peace, resilience and a forward-looking perspective while still honouring its past. In embracing change and seeking harmony within and beyond its borders, Japan’s idiosyncratic approach to societal norms and international relations underscores its commitment to creating a society that’s endlessly fascinating.
