MOVING TO JAPAN

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KEY FACTS

Official Name: Japan

Capital City: Tokyo

Type of Government: Constitutional Monarchy with a parliamentary government

Head of Government: Prime Minister Naoto Kan

Head of State: Emperor Akihito

Official Languages: Japanese

Area: 377,835 sq. km/147,200 sq. mi.

Population: 127 million

Religion: Shintoism and Buddhism

Currency: Yen (¥)

Number of Time Zones: 1

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus 9 hrs.; Eastern Standard Time (EST) plus 14 hrs. Japan does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

Weights and Measures: Metric system

Country Domain: .jp

Country Tel Code: 81

AT A GLANCE

With the majority of Japan’s population living in urban areas, it is one of the most densely-populated countries in the world. The national standard of living is high and the literacy rate is about 99 percent. It has extensive social welfare systems that cover almost the entire population for education, health, retirement, unemployment, and disability.

Japan is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 14 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). Japan does not observe daylight saving time.

Economy

The close alliance between the Japanese government and business has always been a great asset to the economy. The country has also benefited from limited defense spending, a highly educated work force, a strong work ethic, and a cultural commitment to high technology. Japan’s industry, however, is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuel.

After decades of sustained economic progress, Japan experienced more limited growth in the 1990s, amounting to a serious economic slump for a country so accustomed to a booming economy. By the end of 2003, economic growth was at seven percent, boosting the country out of recession. The country is nevertheless saddled with enormous debt – one negative byproduct of government’s involvement in business. Other issues also challenge Japan’s ability to achieve full economic recovery.

Workers at all levels no longer have the traditional life-long job security to which the Japanese had been accustomed. However, rates of inflation and unemployment remain low for a major industrialized nation, and the country is still – despite competition from China – the most powerful economic state in Asia.

Politics

Politically, Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government. The emperor is the head of state but has no real governing power. Executive power rests with the prime minister, usually the head of the leading party in parliament, and a cabinet he appoints.

Legislative power is held by the parliament, or Diet, with a 480-member House of Representatives and a 252-member House of Councilors. The prime minister and his cabinet are responsible to the Diet. The judicial branch is independent and is based on Roman Law.

UNDERSTANDING THE PEOPLE

The people

Japan has a population of about 127 million people; 80 percent live in urban areas, with 45 percent of the population found in the three major metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Japan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world: its population is half that of the U.S. but lives on land totaling less than 5 percent of U.S. territory.

The national standard of living is high; social welfare systems cover almost the entire population for health, retirement, unemployment, and disability. Medical care is among the best in the world, and the Japanese enjoy a low infant mortality rate and a long life expectancy rate. Considerable emphasis is placed on education, and the literacy rate is 99 percent.

Ethnic make-up

Japan’s population is 99 percent ethnic Japanese. There are small populations of Koreans, approximately 700,000, and Chinese. The indigenous Ainu, numbering some 100,000, live primarily on Hokkaido.

Cultural traditions

Japan’s is an ancient civilization; it dates from the Jomon period of 10,000 B.C. Japanese history is rich in the cultivation of the arts.

Medieval literature documents the changes in the society, from warrior-dominated to prosperous and commercial with leisure for humorous tales. Literature developed in the 8th century with works of poetry written in Chinese characters. By the 9th century, a native orthography, kana, had been developed. Poetry continues to be a vital genre in Japan today. Haiku, one of the most important forms of traditional Japanese poetry, has spread to other countries in recent years.

Ceramics, which began in Japan 12,000 years ago, have long been produced for utilitarian as well as decorative purposes. Chinese porcelains had a great influence on Japanese craftsmen.

Art, too, was profoundly influenced by the Chinese culture. Buddhist art forms, which came from China and Korea, were absorbed by the Japanese and altered by their customs and usages, resulting in a rich tradition of religious art and architecture.

Many of the religious and cultural influences that have shaped the people and history of Japan are imported: quintessential “Japanese” traditions like Zen, the tea ceremony, and the stunted trees known as bonsai were all brought from China 1,000 years ago. Ancient royal tombs – although they remain unexcavated – are believed by archaeologists to contain Korean artifacts from an eighth century Japanese emperor who married Korean royalty.

Religion

The two main religions in Japan are Shintoism and Buddhism. The national character and culture have been shaped largely by these religions combined with Confucian ethics, all of which commingle without friction. Shinto is an indigenous religion in Japan that features worship of nature, ancestors, and ancient heroes. Its origin and founder are unknown. Buddhism was brought to Japan from Korea and China in the 6th century AD.

Many Japanese observe Shinto rituals, marry both in a Western-style wedding chapel in a rented white bridal gown and a Shinto temple in a traditional Japanese gown. The Japanese observe Buddhist holidays, frequently using Buddhist rites for burials. Confucianism with its emphasis on the bonds of family and the obligations to ruler, or employer in modern times, pervades the culture. Despite this respect for tradition and reverence for the past, in surveys many Japanese claim no religious affiliation at all.

The Japanese Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

Language

Japanese is the official language and is spoken by all the population. The study of English is compulsory in junior and senior high schools, but levels of fluency, competency, and comprehension vary.

The Japanese language has many distinct dialects. For instance, the dialect of Osaka, called Osaka-ben, has its own rhythm and phrases that are alien to Japanese elsewhere.

Japanese is a complex and formal language – there are seven different ways to say “I,” depending on rank and circumstances. Foreigners are not expected to fathom its depths and nuances, and the Japanese are sometimes astonished when a foreigner speaks their language well. It is always a sign of respect for your host country, as well as a practical advantage, to learn some basic vocabulary and phrases.

It is ironic that the Japanese language, which is filled with nuances and subtleties – meanings that are often suggested by body language and tone rather than syntax – is quite comprehensible to the Japanese; yet the nuances of English, especially American English, often puzzle and elude them.

Attitudes

Toward foreigners

The Japanese concepts of uchi/inside and soto/outside define the Japanese approach to life. Foreigners, whether Asian or Western, will find that they are soto or gaijin/outsiders.

The word “uchi” means “inside” but more generally suggests “we,” or “the group.” The Japanese have a strong sense of their cultural uniqueness and superiority. They are highly competitive and tend to regard outsiders defiantly. The outsider could be an individual, another company, or another country.

Patience is necessary to conduct business successfully in Japan. The Japanese prefer to do business with other Japanese. It’s easier that way, with fewer explanations required and less chance for misunderstandings and humiliating mistakes. If they are going to do business with a foreigner, the Japanese prefer dealing with someone they already know or someone introduced by a friend. Lasting relationships take time and face-to-face contact.

Despite Japan’s recent economic decline, many Japanese businessmen still perceive Westerners, especially those from the U.S., as lacking in discipline and industriousness. They feel that Westerners do not appreciate the importance of teamwork or corporate loyalty.

Although foreign consumer goods enjoy popularity as status objects, the Japanese are also critical of foreign quality and workmanship. There is a lingering sense that the West has not forgotten Japan’s role in World War II and that gaijin are only in the country for probable financial gain.

Nevertheless, the Japanese understand the importance of establishing valuable business contacts. Building a trusting, working relationship takes time and patience. Foreigners must approach them with a sincere desire to develop enduring relationships within the business community and adapt to the needs of the culture.

Toward women

Women still occupy a tradtional cultural role in Japan. Women are responsible for raising and overseeing education and development of the child(ren) and maintaining the home.

There has been great resistance in accepting women in the workplace, particularly in positions of power. Within the Confucian system of superior-subordinate relationships, women have traditionally occupied the subordinate role, making it difficult for Japanese men to see themselves taking direction from a woman. Until quite recently, women were forced to retire from corporations upon getting married or upon passing the “appropriate” age for marriage. Consequently, women were always seen as temporary workers, rather than as workers interested in a career.

Attitudes are slowly changing. Salary differences between men and women are still wide, the highest in the industrialized world, but the gap is closing. However, sexual discrimination and harassment are still widely reported. Women no longer can be forced to retire, making it more likely that they will advance.

Women currently make up six percent of management in large corporations and hold several key positions in government.

Toward the family

The size of the Japanese family tends to be small, with most families having one or two children. Men who work for large corporations may spend only a limited amount of time with their families, arriving home late on weeknights and participating in company outings on weekends. However, there is a low rate of divorce and single parenthood, with a negative social stigma attached to both.

Toward hierarchy and the group

The philosophy of Confucianism is a foundation of Japanese culture. Confucianism stresses harmony of relationships; respect for rank, authority, and age; and loyalty to the group. Individual rights are secondary; the individual must be loyal, trustworthy, and willing to work for the benefit of the group. Dishonesty between friends is considered a social crime. This tenet, coupled with the cohesiveness of Japanese society, makes relationships of utmost importance. A foreigner must be willing to spend the time that it takes to develop that bond. It mmay take years to accomplish this, but the time will have been well spent.

The culture promotes embracing the spirit of wa, or harmony, within a group, which the Japanese believe to be the secret of resolving all conflicts. Under this belief, the individual who stands alone is incomplete and can only find genuine peace by subjugating personal interests to the needs of the group.

Confucian philosophy stresses a respect for authority and an acceptance of one’s place in the social order; it delineates a complex system of superior-subordinate relationships. Japanese society is vertical and hierarchical. Hierarchy is elemental.

Toward disagreements

Avoiding discord is also highly valued by the Japanese. As a result, the Japanese will do whatever is necessary to keep peace and harmony, at least outwardly. Criticism is seen as disruptive and impolite. The Japanese do not separate criticism of an act or thought from criticism of the person. This is reflected in their need to “save face,” a concept not fully appreciated in the West. The Japanese will avoid all criticism to prevent a situation in which someone might “lose face.”

Do not disagree with someone directly. If you think someone has misunderstood you, wait until he has finished, then preface your correction with “Yes, but….” Express your opinion clearly, but be careful of your tone. The same rule applies when you want to express a different viewpoint. Soften your comments with such words and phrases as “perhaps” and “maybe” and “I wonder if…..”

Avoid negative statements and statements that require a negative answer. The Japanese hate being put into the position of having to say “no” directly. They prefer noncommittal expressions such as “I’m not sure” or “Let me think it over,” or polite but tepid terms of agreement. Foreigners often think that the Japanese are insincere. In fact, it is their reluctance to say “no” that leads them to vacillate and give vague answers. Understanding their motivation and culture will help you interpret their responses.

To avoid confusion, do not phrase questions in the negative because a Japanese “yes” to a negative question means “you’re right; it isn’t so.”

CITIES

There are numerous cities in Japan with approximately ninety percent of the population of the country living in these cities. But contrary to popular belief, the entire country is not urbanized. Rather, about 70 percent of the country is mountainous terrain covered in forest. Japanese prefer not to settle in these areas, not only because it difficult to build on this terrain, but also because all the amenities and entertainment are in the cities.

The Kansai

The Kansai region, which includes the cities of Kobe, Kyoto, and Osaka, is a major economic area of Japan.

With a population of approximately 22 million people, it is the traditional center of merchandising. It has a gross regional product larger than that of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand combined. Foreign investment is attracted to this area because the housing and labor costs are much lower than in Tokyo.

Kobe

Kobe is Japan’s sixth-largest city with a hilly terrain and a population of about 1.5 million people. Since experiencing severe damage in the major January 1995 earthquake, Kobe has been undergoing a major rebuilding process.

Kobe is one of Japan’s major ports and is well known for its food products, such as Kobe beef and Nada sake. It is sheltered on the north by the Rokko Mountain Range and enjoys a mild climate.

Kyoto

Kyoto, surrounded on three sides by scenic hills, is Japan’s ancient capital and the seventh-largest city with a population of about 1.3 million people. It is Japan’s second-most popular tourist attraction, because of its history and tradition.

The capital was established here in 794 when it was moved from nearby Nara; Kyoto remained the capital, the center of art and culture, and the home of the Imperial Family until 1868 when the new capital was established in Tokyo.

Kyoto is a living museum of Japanese history. It was the only major Japanese city to escape fire-bombing during World War II. The Allied high command spared the city’s unique cultural treasures, including its famous imperial villa and hundreds of shrines and temples dedicated to Japan’s various Buddhist sects. Today, it is the one major city that retains the fragile wooden architecture that once characterized nearly all of Japan.

Kyoto is also the home of many of Japan’s traditional arts, such as weaving, ceramics, and lacquer ware. Modern industry located in Kyoto includes electronics, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

Osaka

More than 1,400 years old, Osaka is a city built for commerce and industry. It is the third-largest city in Japan, with a population of 2.5 million, and is home to 30 of the world’s top 500 corporations.

The city and the surrounding region accounts for 25 percent of the country’s industrial production and 40 percent of the nation’s exports. The focus of the town is business, so much so that Osakans routinely greet one another with “Moukarimak-ka?” or “Are you making big money?” The answer: “Ma ma” – “So-so.” Kansai Airport in Osaka Bay is expected to compete successfully with Tokyo’s crowded Narita.

Many foreign consulates are located in Osaka. The pace of living is a little less hectic there than in Tokyo.

Nagoya

Virtually destroyed during World War II, Nagoya is now a major industrial center and Japan’s fourth-largest city, with a population of nearly 2.1 million. The city is home to about 36,000 foreign residents.

As part of the economically flourishing Chubu region, which includes the Toyota manufacturing facility with a population of 13 million, Nagoya is known for its shipbuilding and manufacture of automobiles, aircraft, textiles, machine tools, and chinaware. Nagoya is also the center of the aerospace industry and the communications and distribution center for central Japan. It is the world’s 10th-largest industrial center.

Nagoya is relatively flat and has a typical Japanese pattern of adjacent urban and residential areas. Laid out in a grid pattern, the broad streets, which are often congested with traffic, are lined with white-tiled skyscrapers.

Public transportation is excellent with major subway lines, comprehensive bus service, and train lines to outlying areas. The cost of living is lower here than in Tokyo.

Tokyo

In the long history of Japan, Tokyo, formerly known as Edo, is a relatively new capital established as in 1868. It is the administrative, political, governmental, financial, educational, business, information, media, cultural, and fashion center of Japan. Although the cost of living and doing business here is extremely high, most foreign companies have their headquarters in Tokyo.

Tokyo is overwhelming in almost every aspect. It encompasses 23 wards, 26 smaller cities, 7 towns, and 8 villages. The total population is about 12 million people crowded into 2,000 sq. km/800 sq. mi. Over 25 percent of Japan’s population lives within commuting distance of Tokyo.

Tokyo has a bit of everything. It is a city of contrasts: buildings of stunning design stand beside miles of dreary residential and business structures; the ATMs of this world financial center close at 1800; extreme politeness and remarkable rudeness coexist.

This city has been described as a city of interiors. If the exterior looks drab, the interiors are often filled with an incredible range of cultural and aesthetic delights. It is crowded, busy, and expensive and filled with exquisite restaurants, extensive cultural and entertainment opportunities, in combination with a dynamic business environment matched by few cities in the world.Finding your way in Tokyo.

Tokyo addresses can be confusing at first. Since Tokyo began as a collection of villages that grew and overlapped, becoming the chaotic and amorphous city of today. There is no center; no suburbs; and no zoning. The city is divided into areas of various sizes in descending order: ku or ward, machi, chome, and banchi. Specific addresses list a combination of these areas. There are not many street names; the numbers cited in addresses refer to districts within the areas and their time of development, not location in relation to other properties. So “15-22 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku” means the 22nd property that was developed in the 15th section of the 1st chome of Chiyoda ward. A banchi could be added: “15-2″ or even “15-31,” but the street where the address is situated will not have a name. Since roads curve slightly, keep checking your map to make sure that you’re not straying from your route inadvertently.

There are usually large maps outside train and subway stations that show the chome and banchi numbers in the ku. Banchi numbers are posted on telegraph poles, walls, and gates of houses.

The only reliable way to get around Tokyo is by landmarks, experience, questions, mapcards, and a bilingual atlas that is detailed down to kus, chomes, etc. They are available at locations where English-language books are sold. A basic tool for getting around Tokyo by subway and train is the Tokyo Transit Book, which describes all the subway lines, with maps, for the city and surrounding areas.Lost in Tokyo.

Everyone gets lost; if you lose your way, try the following:

• Ask a foreigner – many non-Japanese travel throughout Tokyo and might know the place for which you are looking.

• Ask anyone – people in shops or on the street will usually try to help.

• To find a station – “Eki wa doko desu ka?” or “Where is the station?” will often elicit an answer in English.

• Ask a policeman – the local police box or koban will have at least one policeman, who will speak some English and be able to provide a detailed map to your destination.

• Hail a taxi, if you have the destination written in kanji.

Yokohama

Because it is only 33 km/20 mi south of Tokyo, Yokohama is virtually a satellite city of the capital. It is Japan’s second-largest city with a population of 3.3 million people and its major port.

Yokohoma was the first area of Japan to be opened to Western trade and influence in the 1850s, and the waterfront retains some of the European-style buildings that have survived war and earthquake.

Yokohama today is a center of shipbuilding, automobiles, and petrochemicals. The Japanese government is encouraging redevelopment of Yokohama and foreign companies are establishing head offices here.

This city exists in pleasant contrast to Tokyo, with cobblestone streets, tree-lined boulevards, and many parks. The pace of life is less hectic than in Tokyo; rents are lower; and the city is quite international in outlook.

CLIMATE

Japan covers a variety of climate zones. The northern end is in the subarctic zone and has bitter winters and considerable snowfall. The southernmost islands have a more tropical climate. Summers are temperate in most areas. The rainy season is from mid-June to mid-July. Tokyo’s climate is similar to those of Washington D.C. and Rome. Typhoons may affect areas of Japan but seldom strike Tokyo directly; however, September can bring occasional heavy rains and strong winds to Tokyo.

Japan has four distinct seasons. Spring arrives in March; it is generally mild, with light showers and an average temperature of 18 C/65 F. Summer, from mid-July until the end of September, is humid and averages 30 C/86 F. Autumn is pleasant and mild, with sunny skies and average temperature of 16 C/62 F. Winters are bright and sunny, but cold in some areas, with occasional light snow, except for Hokkaido.

Information provided in association with Living Abroad