University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2000 Preparing for Japan| A practical guide for navigating the web of culture, communication and history Matthew A. Taylor The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Taylor, Matthew A., "Preparing for Japan| A practical guide for navigating the web of culture, communication and history" (2000). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 3290. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/3290 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Maureen and Mike MANSFIELD LIBRARY The University of Montana Permission is granted by the author to reproduce this material in its entirety, provided that this material is used for scholarly purposes and is properly cited in published works and reports. **Please check "Yes" or "No" and provide signature** Yes, I grant permission No, I do not grant permission Author's Signature: Date: * ^ Any copying for commercial purposes or financial gain may be undertaken only with the author's explicit consent. MSThesisVMansfteld Library Permission Preparing for Japan: A practical guide for navigating the web of culture, communication and history. by: Matthew A. Taylor B.S. The University of Montana-Missoula, 1993 B.A. The University of Montana-Missoula, 1996 presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts The University of Montana-Missoula December 2000 Committee Members: Dr. George Cheney (Chair) Dr. Philip West Dr. William Wilmot Approved by: Dean, Graduate School 12 - Q.\-oa Date UMI Number: EP34339 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent on the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oisssftaten FHidlsMng UMI EP34339 Copyright 2012 by ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This edition of the work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Taylor, Matthew A. M.S. December 2000 Communication Studies Intercultural Communication, Japanese history, economics, politics, communication and culture, Organizational culture. Interpersonal Conflict, Mediation and Negotiation Director: Dr. George Cheney Cultural differences between the United States and Japan, particularly in the realm of interpersonal communication and business negotiation, commonly prove problematic for Americans traveling to Japan or interacting with Japanese individuals on home soil. Numerous, well-informed scholarly studies and popular readings have dealt with this issue in light of the increased interactions and interdependencies of the two nations. Unfortunately, much of theses scholarly works and the accessible, popular literature that is written for the "busy" person often only highlight specific communicative contexts. Such works typically leave aside the importance of understanding the historical and cultural underpinnings behind such contexts. In this primer, the author covers broad ground in order to inform the reader of the numerous intersections between Japanese organizational culture, national culture, and history as they bear on intercultural communication processes commonly problematic to Americans. Throughout, the author underscores the centrality of Confucian values on this process and, though utilizing numerous important and necessary cultural generalizations, the impact of individual sense-making and the reciprocal influence of Japanese and American values and interactions. Grounded in interpersonal communication theory and historical studies, the work is written in a highly accessible style intended for those with little previous exposure to Japan. ii Cross-cultural interactions between Japan and the United States often reveal that the most basic concepts regarding self, society and communication found in the two countries are radically different from one another. Of course, in both countries these concepts are extremely varied and can only be accurately studied when the preferences of individuals, not group generalizations are considered. This would be a daunting and almost unimaginable, if not impossible task. And so, as is the case with this work you are about to read, broad generalizations are commonly made which attempt to paint a uniquely Japanese modus vivendi or way of living. Such generalizations are made in the hope that these macro strokes will provide you with a road map or, more accurately, a legend. Through this you will hopefully be able to successfully interpret and understand the communicative actions of your Japanese colleague and yourself during the complex web of interaction and interpretation that joins you both. If this all sounds like an obtuse apology: it is. Some would in fact say that an apology is itself a very Japanese quality and a fitting way to start such a paper. It comes as both a caveat and a plea. It is a caveat to make sure an impression is not given or taken that the lists and examples here are in any way exhaustive. As a plea it comes to remind that every cross-cultural exchange is filtered through the interpretations and life experiences of the individuals present in a way that generalizations, scholarly or not, can never capture or predict. Despite these cautionary notes, if there is to be a predictor of success in cross-cultural relationships it will come about primarily through individuals with flexible worldviews who possess broad understandings of the cultural context behind such interactions. These understandings commonly find their grounding in works that provide cultural generalizations and then are filtered through the interpretation and knowledge of specific situations. So, while wrought with limitations, such works clearly have their value and serve as a strong springboard for deeper knowledge. Some terms used in this paper deserve mention. Gaijin, the Japanese term for foreigner, is used often and is, in fact, quite revealing to the Japanese view of both themselves and foreigners. When this word is written in the traditional script of kanji, you can see two Chinese characters come together: soto (outside) and hito (person). To be soto is in direct contrast and even conflict with being uchi (inside). Both of these terms dive much deeper to the heart of Japanese culture than mere words that reference physical proximity would suggest. Uchi is also the same word for "home" and thus is understood as a place of grounding, sincerity, and trusted relations. That said, to be soto hito (again, standing in stark contrast to uchi), or gaijin is particularly awkward position for an individual wishing to strike good accord with a Japanese colleague. Japanese make a clear distinction between these concepts and in most cases distinct psychological lines are drawn around an individual's soto and uchi relationships, even among their fellow countrymen.' This is not to say that a foreigner cannot create long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships. You clearly can, and being a foreign visitor to Japan can be quite a flattering experience given the gracious attitudes often extended to temporary visitors. In fact, to be soto can have its particular advantages in negotiations. However, as any seasoned foreigner who has lived in Japan for many years will tell you; once a gaijin always a gaijin and it is not uncommon for such graciousness to slowly dissolve iv and ultimately swing like a pendulum to a more isolated and guarded position. As you read this paper and see the word gaijin used, or when heard in conversation, it will serve you well to remember its implications in Japanese society. The words foreigner, Westerner and gaijin are used interchangeably here since, for the purposes of this paper they refer to the same thing; you and me. "Westerner" is intended to refer to North Americans and, in particular, citizens of the U.S. who orient primarily to the cultural norms of the county This is all a slippery slope since, as I will discuss, a definition of "culture" is difficult to pin down and culture and cultural norms are neither monolithic nor static. Similarly, use of the term "American" is intended to refer to residents of the U.S. even though it is far more accurate and less ethnocentric to realize that "American" could or perhaps should refer equally to anyone from North, Central, or South America. Finally, in this paper Japanese names are written with the family name first as would be spoken in Japan. If you can become accustomed to reversing names in this way and if you are also able to add the appropriate honorific suffix, tj^^ically -san, both to the degree that they become second nature, you will have come a long way in understanding Japanese society and furthering your chances for success in the fascinating, finstrating, and undeniably rewarding journey that awaits you. ' Distinctions among Japanese terms here have been simplified in order to be less confusing to the layperson. In actuality, Japanese refer to their inner or uchi relationships as uchi no hitto or, more commonly mi-uchi. Regarding, soto relationships among Japanese, the term tanin is used. Although the concept of soto still bears, it is realized that there are common points of reference and understanding. If nothing else, the member's Japanese-ness is shared (and that goes a long way). When viewed this way, the Xeim gaijin takes on even more weight because it is considered so far removed from Japanese society and the Japanese ways of understanding relationships.