Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Japan Christian Link
Contact us Donate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Who we are
    • Our vision
    • Our aims
    • Our values
    • JCL Partners
    • JEB Churches
    • History
    • How we are organised
  • What we do
    • Our mission
    • Where we work
    • Difference we make
  • Stories
  • Shop
  • Get help
    • Friend going back to Japan
    • Understanding Japanese thinking
      • What do Japanese people believe?
    • Sharing the gospel
      • Christian with a Japanese friend....?
    • Meetings & Churches
    • Working for a Japanese company
    • Japanese language materials
    • English literature about Japan
    • Request prayer
    • Other sources of help
  • Getting involved
    • Praying for Japan
    • Donate
    • Fundraising ideas
    • Partners
    • Volunteer
    • Leave a legacy
    • Trusts and funds
  • News
  • Events
  • 日本語
    • 英国日本人教会・日本語礼拝のご案内
  • FAQs
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Understanding Japanese thinking
  1. Get help
  2. Understanding Japanese thinking

Understanding Japanese thinking

Japanese culture is very different from Western European or American culture. Here are a few pointers which will hopefully be helpful.  Note that the pointers contain some generalisations which will not always hold, however we hope they will be valuable, recognising that there are always exceptions to any generalisation!  

Group culture:  You may notice that Japanese people usually share a common ancestry, appearance and culture. Unlike our culture in the West which has occasionally been heavily influenced by outsiders, the Japanese normally operate in a group culture.  In this culture, being the same and working carefully within a group is encouraged and approved. In contrast individualism can be frowned upon.

Japanese people often have a strong sense of national identity. Perhaps related to this, they also tend to see uniformity as a good thing, to be promoted and encouraged. In contrast, non-conformity, or being different, can be perceived as a threat to harmony.

Outward appearances:  In Japan there is often a strong focus on what other people can see and perceive about individuals. Keeping up appearances and not showing stress or feelings is normally quite important. In contrast to the Western approach, which can sometimes disregard what others think, the Japanese are very sensitive to conforming to expectations and not appearing to be exceptional or out of the ordinary.

Culture of politeness and order:  In Japan it is important to be polite and orderly. These attributes are highly prized and taught to children from a very early age. The language reflects the complexity of this, with a whole different vocabulary and way of expressing yourself if you are addressing a superior, a customer or someone older than you.

Harmony is important:  Harmony and good relationships are highly valued. Anything involving the loss of face or shame is carefully avoided. Almost all Japanese people are very uncomfortable in situations which are likely to be confrontational or which may lead to disagreements or anger / frayed tempers. They will generally go to great lengths to avoid them.

Conforming to societal norms expected:  There are many societal norms which will, in almost all situations, be carefully respected. Many of these can make life difficult as a foreigner living in Japan as they may not be written down or clearly communicated.

Please do consider investing in a copy of A Christian's Pocket Guide to the Japanese which is available from our online shop and has a wealth of information and detailed suggestions about how to relate to, and share the gospel with, Japanese people.  

See also our page on What do Japanese people believe?

Published: 4th September, 2020

Updated: 4th October, 2022

Author: Ian Maclennan

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Meet & Pray - James & Charley Ballinger - NZ timing

    Meet & Pray - James & Charley Ballinger - NZ timing

    Please join us for our next online meet and pray gathering with James and Charley Ballinger at a time convenient for New Zealand participants. We're looking forward to hearing their news and praying for them!

  • Meet & Pray - James & Charley Ballinger - UK timing

    Meet & Pray - James & Charley Ballinger - UK timing

    Please join us for our next online meet and pray gathering with James and Charley Ballinger at a time convenient for UK participants. We're looking forward to hearing their news and praying for them!

  • Meet & Pray - Tim & Ai Williams

    Meet & Pray - Tim & Ai Williams

    We are really excited to offer everyone the opportunity to meet and pray online with Tim and Ai Williams. They are currently in south western Tokyo and are working on a church plant. Please join us as we hear their news and pray for them!

  • Associate Director of Samurai Projects now in Japan

    Associate Director of Samurai Projects now in Japan

    Network Partner Makito Miyashita arrived in Japan on Monday, 27th February.

Most read

  • Bilingual Japanese/English Bible - ESV

    Bilingual Japanese/English Bible - ESV

    Bilingual full Bible with the New Revised Japanese Bible (4th edition, October 2017) and the English ESV.

  • What do Japanese people believe?

    What do Japanese people believe?

    Japanese belief systems are very different from American and European ones. Here are some general comments with respect to faith and belief which may apply to many Japanese.

  • James and Charley Ballinger

    James and Charley Ballinger

    James and Charley Ballinger arrived in Tokyo in March 2022. James has been appointed as Director of the Samurai Projects, working to train the next generation of Japanese Christian leaders.

  • 英国日本人教会・日本語礼拝のご案内

    英国日本人教会・日本語礼拝のご案内

    英国日本人教会・日本語礼拝のご案内

  • Sharing the gospel with my Japanese friend

    Sharing the gospel with my Japanese friend

    It can be challenging to explain the gospel to someone from a completely different culture, who also has a different mother tongue! Here are a few approaches to consider.

  • Christianity in Japan

    Christianity in Japan

    Christianity is very much a minority religion in Japan at present. We estimate that between 0.2% and 0.5% of Japanese have fully embraced the gospel, which makes the Japanese among the least-reached major people groups in the world.

  • Our vision

    Our vision

    JCL's vision is to help make a significant difference in the progress of the gospel among the Japanese over the first half of this century.

  • Understanding Japanese thinking

    Understanding Japanese thinking

    Japanese culture is very different from Western European or American culture. Here are a few pointers which will hopefully be helpful.

  • Gospel Music

    Gospel Music

    JCL Network Partners Heidi and Dave Skipper are both working in the field of music in Japan. Heidi leads and manages work with Gospel Choirs, which are very popular in Japan.

  • 日本語

    日本語

    日本語のページ

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Find us

Registered Office
PO Box 68
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 2ZY
United Kingdom

+44 (0)1732 455453
[email protected]

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Complaints

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter



Japan Christian Link -
registered charity number 1164572

Manage Cookie Preferences