Ethics: Culture & consideration

Returning home to Tokyo from the Philippines, I had a discussion with a Japanese businessman, a director of sales for some scientific equipment manufacturer. After we compared how many foreign trips we've done - he's been to 45 countries, I was trailing with about 30. But I am prone to exaggerate - lest I let those pesky Japanese get away with a heightened opinion of themselves.

The Japanese believe themselves to be the most 'civilised' people on earth by virtue of their technological sophistication, a range of social indicators (such as divorce rates, crime) and their consideration for others. Having visited, lived and analysed Japan for many years - I believe I know better. On this issue, a number of points can be made:

1. Generalisation: This is a general discussion of cultural characteristics, and thus does not reflect upon the behaviour of any specific individual.

2. Rationalisation: The Japanese are prone to engage in tokenistic displays of 'consideration'. They are particularly prone to be generous to foreigners because they want to prove just how 'civilised' they are. Ever since the British treated them as the 'yellow vermon', they have being playing catch-up with the west. Some are genuinely (in the collectivistic sense) apologistic for their treatment of foreigners during WWII. Still others just want to show they are better than you in a comparative sense. Its kind of like co-dependence. They need you to know they are better, and they want you to need something from them. Its the same dynamic as the unequal relationship between Japanese men & women.

The good news is that this man considered Australians and Canadians to be the 2nd most civilised people in the world. He held the popular misconception that Australians are lazy, when in fact, we just have different life priorities. I suggest Australians are divided between those that 'work to live', and those that 'live to work'. This is reflected in workforce participation rates, hours worked.
Certainly Japanese people do have some positives in their favour. In some senses they run their lives with a greater level of efficiency. They 'use' technology to greater efficiency than the west, and their ritual hot bath means they sleep better, so need fewer hours of sleep. They also sleep for 1.5hrs on the train to work - assuming they are one of the lucky 70% that get a seat.

All this begs the question of - by what standard to we measure 'civilisation' or the merits of any particular value system? I don't want to over-state my criticism of Japan, because it does have some redeeming features. Consider the pride that the Japanese train driver takes in doing his job. But look a little deeper, and consider the fear or pressure he carries in undertaking his task. Some 400 people were killed in Apr'05 in Osaka because a train driver was attempting to keep to schedule. Having recorded to 2 faults - he was reticent to record a third.

The collectivist ethic is at the heart of Japan. Not withstanding the official 'western-style' of governance, really its just a facade. No one campaigns for civil rights in Japan. There are hardly any lawyers, and few could afford them anyway. Japanese are anxious, their only reprieve being that its a shared sufferage with other Japanese. Any Japanese who live overseas tend to treasure their 'freedom' for a lifetime, and can never really settle into Japanese life again, unless they have a level of comfort higher than their peers.

The Japanese concept of a 'civilised life' is a combination of technological sophistication and Hollywood fashion. But deeper examination of the Japanese intellect finds it sadly wanting. Japanese people are required to fit into the national plan, to fulfil some function. They are not raised to question, but rather to serve their country, company and family first. In this task, they are prepared to tolerate significant hardship. They will live at home with their parents, tolerate jobs they don't like, wives they don't respect, children they don't love, friends they don't relate to - other than in their shared sufferage. That is what unites them.
As a consequence, Japanese people tend not to display personal ambition, thus are short of the drive or enthusiasm, or expression we see in the west. They have no self-discipline, but rather are motivated instead by a desire to fit in, to be accepted. There is of course an aristocracy which has different motives. I have met few people as ignorant as the Japanese. They are not raised to question anything, so they accept all. This undermines their analytical skills, and thus their intellect and curiosity. Little wonder they are not recognised for their scientific achievements. They are strong however in design because of their over-investment in product development. Consider that Sony might develop 20 types of digital camera to test the local market before it exports 5 varieties overseas. There is no analysis in product design - its grounded in experience. These over-investments come at the expense of the Japanese people. Contrary to popular opinion - men get the worst deal - suffering long working hours, hours commuting home. The housewife looks after the kids, meets with friends, plays tennis, and works if she likes, and may even take holidays whilst her husband is working. Japanese spending power is heightened because they live at home until they get married. In which case they are confined to a 40-80m2 home on a 100-300m2 property. But these shortcomings are not unbearable if you are used to them.
The West has to ask itself - is its decadence worth it? Would it be better to forgo consumption to boost productivity or output. I'm not suggesting sacrificing happiness, rather a new paradigm. Recognition that if we are going to pay tax, might it be better to ensure its spent wisely. If we are to sack workers, might it be better to do it in a way which does not decimate their self-esteem, rather than being solely concerned with protecting the company from the 'real', but unlikely possibility of industrial espionage. Why? Because actions have consequences.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Pleased to hear comments or criticism if reason is the standard.