When I first started the semester I thought of Japan as a country with a beautiful culture that is unique. Japanese culture has many images such as anime that people relate it with. I always thought that Japanese people put their own spin on things, but never knew to what extent this was true.
The Japanese take tradition and originality to the next level. They refuse to let their culture be muddled with another one. Companies that go to Japan have to find a way to market their products to fit the demographic, but make sure that they do not mix western culture with Japanese. It is very difficult for western companies to be successful in Japan.
The major change in perspective that I have had with this country is the intensity that Japanese people give off when talking about their tradition and culture. They get genuinely offended if people mix-up their culture with another one. Japanese people hold a lot of pride in who they are and where they come from. This makes it difficult to add new ideas into their society. They rate a lot lower on individuality than I originally thought. It is an original country, but individuals do not stray from what they know.
If I were to go to Japan, I would prepare by learning about how to properly great someone. It is rude to go to another country and just expect them to speak your language. I would absolutely bring a translating book or app. I would also research different places that serve authentic Japanese food. In Japan, I would want to eat what locals do to get the entire experience. There is no point to going to another country to just eat what I would in America.
Boba tea and traditional Japanese food
The thing that stands out to me the most in this culture is the gender gap in wealth and occupation. Women have a lot less money than men because they cannot get the corporate positions most of the time. If you do business with a Japanese company, you will most likely be dealing with all men, while women are most likely to be assistants or secretaries.
It is an epidemic in this country and will take people from every demographic to solve the problem.
Overall, Japan is a beautiful country that is filled with a rich culture and an undeniable sense of individuality. There’s no place like Japan!
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