Values Regarding Work

The Japanese believe that hard work is very important and that it is very crucial for them to stay loyal to their employer. However, this belief is looked at differently by younger people; many of them believe that there is more to life than just working hard. It is also important to enjoy life and experience fulfillment.

Fun fact: Napping on the job is culturally accepted in Japan. It shows that you are very dedicated to your work. Taking naps during work is also a practice that is known as “inemuri” (“Japan History, Language, and Culture,” 2019).

Values Regarding Conflict

There are five types of conflict: Affective conflict, conflict of interest, value conflict, cognitive conflict, and goal conflict. Affective conflict is when individuals are aware that their feelings are incompatible. Conflict of interest occurs when individuals have different preferences over a course of action. Value conflict occurs when individuals have different beliefs when it comes to certain issues. Cognitive conflict occurs when two or more individuals are aware that their thought processes and perceptions are different from one another. Goal conflict occurs when individuals disagree over certain goals. (Martin & Nakayama, 2018). Even though conflict does exist, the Japanese culture highly emphasizes harmony. Conflict is to be discouraged and avoided, or else relationships would suffer significantly.

Values Regarding Respect

Respect is highly emphasized in Japan. Before entering a home in Japan, shoes must be taken off as it indicates cleanliness and politeness. Bowing down when you greet someone is very common. When talking to someone, adding the suffix “-san” to their last name is customary (for example, Mr. Yamamoto would be “Yamamoto-san”). The culture in Japan is a collectivist culture, which emphasizes working towards goals and needs as a group than doing so individually. An example of a collectivist culture is a child taking care of their parents when they fall ill, rather than sending their parents to a nursing home as in individualist cultures.