Volda-Griffith Austral-Asian Study Immersion Program 2010

1. Volda-Griffith Austral-Asian Study Immersion Program 2010 • An Introduction to Japanese Society • Wayne Muller • Griffith University • 21st September 2010

2. LECTURE STRUCTURE • (1) Main historical trends since World War Two. • (2) The Japanese "economic miracle". • (3) Some Japanese social characteristics. *** • (4) Some critiques of post war Japan. • (5) Some challenges for contemporary Japan.

3. (1) Main historical trends since World War Two. • The devastation of WW2

7. (1) Main historical trends since World War Two. • The Occupation • Demilitarization • War trials • New constitution • Economic rebuilding • The Korean War- towards the “Economic Miracle”

8. (2) The Japanese "economic miracle". • Geographical limitations • The duration and scope of the “boom” • “Those successful Japanese” • “The Japanese economic miracle” • “The fragile superpower” • “Japan as number one” • “The too successful Japanese” • “The electronic tribe” • Explanations of the “economic miracle”

9. (2) The Japanese "economic miracle". • Geographical limitations

11. Shizuoka City

12. Landuse Concentration

13. Tokyo Motorways

14. Shinkansen-Land Use Concentration Tokyo

15. (2) The Japanese "economic miracle". • The duration and scope of the “boom” • “Those successful Japanese” • “The Japanese economic miracle” • “The fragile superpower” • “Japan as number one” • “The too successful Japanese” • “The electronic tribe” • Explanations of the “economic miracle”

16. (3) Some Japanese social characteristics. • Some cultural and social paradoxes • Monocultural identity • Hierarchy • Group identity • Shame and obligation ("on") • A meritocracy • Consensus decision making • A formal people given to strict ritual and protocol

17. (3) Some Japanese social characteristics. • Some cultural and social paradoxes • Lack of violence vs Manga, Samurai films, Yakuza • Friendliness and courtesy vs “rudeness” • Chauvinism vs power of wife in the home • “Company man” vs contractors • Hierarchy vs classlessness • Landscape beauty vs ugliness

18. Manga Comics

19. Manga Comics

20. Manga Comics

21. Authentic Samurai

22. Samurai-Movie Depiction

23. Yakuza

24. Yakuza-Tattoos

25. Suburban Ugliness Tokyo

26. The Beauty of Japanese Gardens

27. (3) Some Japanese social characteristics. • Monocultural identity • Limited minorities- Koreans, Ainu, Eta • “Nihonjinron” • Japanese calendar • Japanese celebrations- Adult Day, Shichi-Go-San, Respect for aged day, Emperor’s birthday • Japanese food

31. Artificial Window Food Display

32. (3) Some Japanese social characteristics. • Hierarchy • Contributions of Feudalism, Confucianism, Buddhism, status of Emperor, etc • Japanese as a “respect language” • Bowing and hierarchy • Core values of “displaying respect” and “knowing one’s proper place”

33. Osaka Castle

34. Kinkajui Buddhist Temple- Kyoto

35. (3) Some Japanese social characteristics. • Group identity • Group identity at the national level • Group identity within the workplace- company practices which develop a sense of “the group” • Group identity at school, in the family and “the village” • Group protest • Group behaviour while on vacation • Group less individuals- “Ronin”

37. (3) Some Japanese social characteristics. • Shame and obligation ("on") • “On” as a core value cf sin and guilt • Meaning in English- “mutual obligation”, etc • Levels of “on”- Emperor, family, teacher, etc • “On” and gift giving

38. (3) Some Japanese social characteristics. • A meritocracy • Legacy of Confucianism • Significance of education- • Institutional hierarchies • “Examination hell” • “Juku” • Employability linked to educational outcomes

39. (3) Some Japanese social characteristics. • Consensus decision making • Decision by consensus- “root binding” • Lower salary differentials than in West • Bosses located with the workers • Quality control circles

40. (3) Some Japanese social characteristics. • A formal people given to strict ritual and protocol • The tea ceremony • The role of Geisha • Department store etiquette • Business protocols • Bowing • Ritual and trains • Ritual protest Yoyogi Park and Unions • Kamikaze pilots

43. “Irrashaimase” “Welcome”Department Store Etiquette

44. Yoyogi Park Ritual Protest

45. Ultranationalist Protest in Japan

46. Ultranationalist Protest in Japan

47. Shinto Wedding Ceremony

48. (4) Some critiques of post war Japan. • Environmental issues • Gender issues • Life chances • Racism • Trading practices

49. (4) Some critiques of post war Japan. • Environmental issues