10 Amazing facts about Life in Japanese Culture. It's weirder than you've ever imagined!
Things that are a huge No-No in Japan - avoid the Culture shock and the embarrassing moments that come from not knowing about Life In Japanese Culture.
FUN Stories From Tokyo: Japanese Daily Life
No kissing, hugging or holding hands in the street. Showing emotions is a big No-No in Japanese Daily Life. Even patting on the back is not so common (unless they're drunk). Japanese are very aware to what others are thinking of them and are very careful not to do something new, different, or independent. A Japanese person is brought up to be part of a group and depend on others. Japan is a very crowded nation. Japanese must take into account other people in everyday life. To make it possible to live in such a crowded country there must be harmony. That's why Individualism and expressing emotions are viewed as selfis.
The emergency room masks people wear in the subway or street, are worn to protect other people from a virus or a cold.
Giggling - that's how Japanese treat non-Japanese. It comes from Admiration and suspicion and some anxiety too. They adore everything 'international' and 'American'. Fast food chains are a big thing here, and they even have their own replica of the statue of liberty (in Odaiba Tokyo). The language barrier and the nervousness from dealing with a non-Japanese will cause many to giggle with embarrassment if you ask them for directions. But they are more than willing to help, so they will solve that by accompanying you to see you're in the right direction.
It's fun to be able to exchange a few words with the locals with this compact little Appliance, that will fit in your pocket or purse.
Saying 'no' is very uncomfortable for the Japanese because they try to please as part of the codes of Life In Japanese Culture. If you're doing business in Japan check this page on
Japanese Business Culture
before you arrive. The Japanese businessman will act in traditional codes based on Life in Japanese Culture. Tokyo is no exception to that. That's why a 'diplomatic language' is used rather than the straight forward approach.
Moms sit in class replacing their sick child, so he won't miss out on anything. Japanese kids have a tough time growing up. The education system is very demanding (long hours and teachers are tough).
Kids are taught to be work together with others, be polite and responsible from the time they go to pre-school. It starts with Getting into the right kindergarten - that will influence your chances to be accepted to the right school, the right school determines your chances at the best universities, which determine your chances for landing a job in a reputable company.
A massive suicide wave happens every year when universities publish results of entrance exams. There is also a unique Japanese syndrome in which Japanese teens retreat to their room for years, refusing to participate in work or social interaction. Since most Japanese families have only one child (because of tiny apartments and high cost of living) every child is very pampered here in Japan.
Death from over-work is a common thing in Tokyo. Offices are jam-packed open space with very little privacy, and the general tendency is to sacrifice yourself for the company. Life In Japanese Culture involves going out for drinks after work with colleagues. Most office workers arrive home on the last train and see their families only on weekends. Living in Tokyo itself too expensive for most because of land prices. So most office workers commute for an hour and a half morning and evening as a way of life. During rush hours commuting on the Tokyo subway is not so pleasant - white gloved attendants push commuters to make more room for those standing in line. How do the Japanese unwind? Alcohol and Smoking. Tokyo Nightlife has a very different set of rules. Forget about the reserved nature of the Japanese. Another way of coping is in Phachinko parlors,
Karaoke,Maid cafe's
and Japanese Comics Anima and Manga And when even that doesn't help - high levels of suicide and many psychosomatic syndromes.
Japanese women are not considered part of the work force. Most of them work as 'Office Ladies' doing minor secretarial tasks until they get married. Then they are expected to quit. Life In Japanese Culture for Women means acting and looking cute. Their clothes, behavior and voice are very feminine and childlike. With Japan's ongoing recession this is changing slightly in the last few years. In some families women had to go out and get a job because of unemployment of their husband. But this is still a very minor change in Japanese Way of Life.
The official Japanese airlines Nippon Airways have Pokémon and Pikachu painted Airplanes (see the photo on the right).
Cute ('kawaii' in Japanese) is a major thing here in Japan.Even Tokyo police and the government television station all have their own cute lucky charm characters as Logos.
Pistols and Teddy bears -Tokyo street fashion produced the unique Harajuku girls fashion. Japanese youth culture created
Cosplay
- dressing up with motifs from Hello Kitty and other adorable little creatures.
The costumes include lace, ruffles and pastel colors. Accessories include toys like plastic pistols or teddy bears. Women In Tokyo well into their 30s carry Hello Kitty bags and Pikachu lunch boxes. Like it or not – you decide for yourself, but it's something you just have to see.
Men and women bath separately in the Sento. A Sento is a public bathhouse. Most Japanese apartments are so tiny that having a bath was out of question. The Sento is a strange mishmash between a Spa and a social get-together. Japanese people soap and wash themselves outside the bath tab, and only enter the water when they are clean. Then they put a towel over their forehead and relax in the water. Not a bad way to unwind... The Japanese are very clean people, and so they turned the bathing act almost into a ritual. This is a very basic part of Life In Japanese Culture, so if you're in Tokyo do try it.
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that will fit in your pocket or purse. 
is a compact little Appliance, that will fit in your pocket or purse.
