The familiar Psalm 103:12 reads, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Through poetic use for comparative purposes this Psalm serves to remind us of the great power of God’s cleansing ability. A minor point that may be gathered from this Psalm to create such a powerful illustration to the reader is the thought of just how far “East” and “West” are from each other. Not only the physical distances come to immediate thought, but also for the modern reader the thought of the vast differences between the “Far East” Culture as opposed to what is considered in our mind as “Western Culture”. (Let us not forget that the Bible was written in what we would consider an Eastern Cultural setting!)
The readers of this blog are probably interested to know just how different Japan is from Western Civilization. (On a lighter note most everything in daily life in Japan is the direct opposite of the west:from how the sink is turned from on to off by pushing down on the lever instead of pulling up, to how walking down the street or driving is on the opposite side of the road than what we are used to in America.) For the “Westerner” coming to Japan not only does the challenge of the system of writing, grammar, and speaking prevail, but perhaps more significant are the cultural differences. Eastern Culture is based upon an understanding of “Shame versus Honor” in a communal system as
opposed to Western Culture which is often based upon “Right versus Wrong” in an individualized system. Here are some of the main examples as described by the book Honor and Shame in Cross-Cultural Relationships by Werner Mischke:
opposed to Western Culture which is often based upon “Right versus Wrong” in an individualized system. Here are some of the main examples as described by the book Honor and Shame in Cross-Cultural Relationships by Werner Mischke:
Western Culture Eastern Culture
Equality Hierarchy
Direct Communication Indirect Communication
Individual Orientation Group Orientation
Task Orientation Relationship Orientation
High Risk Decision Making Cautious Decision Making
As you can see these concepts are the direct opposites in every way. Though not all Americans or Japanese fall under these categories exactly, it should be noted that a majority of each culture tend to easily
identify with these categories in one way or another. Now, let’s look at each category closely with these
examples from the above mentioned book comparing Americans with Japanese.
identify with these categories in one way or another. Now, let’s look at each category closely with these
examples from the above mentioned book comparing Americans with Japanese.
The first category is Equality versus Hierarchy. Americans tend to be self-directed, have flexibility in roles in the workplace, have freedom to challenge leadership, bend rules if necessary, and treat men and women in similar fashion. Japanese tend to take direction from those above
them in authority, have strong limitations about appropriate behavior for roles, respect those in authority
because of their status/position, enforce rules/guidelines, and expect men/women to behave or be treated differently.
them in authority, have strong limitations about appropriate behavior for roles, respect those in authority
because of their status/position, enforce rules/guidelines, and expect men/women to behave or be treated differently.
The second category is Direct versus Indirect communication. Americans tend to be direct in speaking with less concern about how something is said, openly communicate issues or difficulties, engage in conflict when necessary, express views/opinions in a frank manner, and say things very clearly. Japanese tend to focus on now what is said but how it is said, avoid difficult or contentious issues, express concerns tactfully, avoid conflict if possible, express views diplomatically, and count on the
listener to interpret meaning. This is a strong point for the communication of the gospel in areas such as preaching/counseling/instructing/evangelism where Westerners can give a clear presentation with ease.
listener to interpret meaning. This is a strong point for the communication of the gospel in areas such as preaching/counseling/instructing/evangelism where Westerners can give a clear presentation with ease.
The third category is Individual versus Group orientation. Americans tend to take individual initiative, use personal guidelines in personal situations, focus on themselves, judge people based on
individual traits, make decisions individually, put individuals before team, are nonconformist when necessary, and move in and out of groups as needed or desired. Japanese tend to act cooperatively and
establish group goals, standardize guidelines, make loyalty to friends a high priority, determine their identity through group affiliation, make decisions as a group, put team or group ahead before individual, conform to social norms, and keep group membership for life.
individual traits, make decisions individually, put individuals before team, are nonconformist when necessary, and move in and out of groups as needed or desired. Japanese tend to act cooperatively and
establish group goals, standardize guidelines, make loyalty to friends a high priority, determine their identity through group affiliation, make decisions as a group, put team or group ahead before individual, conform to social norms, and keep group membership for life.
The fourth category is Task orientation versus Relationship Orientation. Task Oriented people tend to define people based on what they do, move straight to business and focus on relationships later, keep relationships with coworkers impersonal, sacrifice leisure time and time with family in favor of work, get to know
co-workers and colleagues quickly but superficially, use largely impersonal selection criteria in hiring (resumes/scores, etc.), and allow work to overlap with personal time. Relation Oriented people tend to define people based on who they are, establish comfortable relationships before doing business, have personal relationships with co-workers, sacrifice work in favor of leisure time and time with family, get to know co-workers and colleagues slowly and in depth, use largely personal selection criteria (family connections) when hiring, and not allow work to impinge on personal life. I will say that this category is quite mixed with Japanese people as many of them tend to be heavily task oriented with a mix of some relation orientation concepts. For example Japanese tend be mostly Relation Oriented with the exception of sacrificing leisure time and time with family in favor of work as well as allowing work to impinge on personal life. Interestingly enough though Japanese display many aspects of Relation orientation, they are very quiet in public and will rarely talk to each other unless they know each other.
co-workers and colleagues quickly but superficially, use largely impersonal selection criteria in hiring (resumes/scores, etc.), and allow work to overlap with personal time. Relation Oriented people tend to define people based on who they are, establish comfortable relationships before doing business, have personal relationships with co-workers, sacrifice work in favor of leisure time and time with family, get to know co-workers and colleagues slowly and in depth, use largely personal selection criteria (family connections) when hiring, and not allow work to impinge on personal life. I will say that this category is quite mixed with Japanese people as many of them tend to be heavily task oriented with a mix of some relation orientation concepts. For example Japanese tend be mostly Relation Oriented with the exception of sacrificing leisure time and time with family in favor of work as well as allowing work to impinge on personal life. Interestingly enough though Japanese display many aspects of Relation orientation, they are very quiet in public and will rarely talk to each other unless they know each other.
The fifth category is Risk in decision making versus Caution in decision making. Americans tend to make
decisions quickly with little information, focus on present and future, be less cautious, change quickly without fear of risks, try new and innovative ways of doing things, use new methods for solving problems, have fewer rules/regulations/guidelines, and be comfortable changing plans at the last
minute. Japanese tend to collect considerable information before making a decision, focus on the past, be
more cautious, change slowly and avoid risks, want more rules/regulations/guidelines, refer to past precedents of what works and what does not, stick to proven methods for solving problems, and not change plans at the last minute. This can be hard for the Westerner as new ideas can be stalled, rejected, or changed dramatically after going through a lengthy process of consideration.
decisions quickly with little information, focus on present and future, be less cautious, change quickly without fear of risks, try new and innovative ways of doing things, use new methods for solving problems, have fewer rules/regulations/guidelines, and be comfortable changing plans at the last
minute. Japanese tend to collect considerable information before making a decision, focus on the past, be
more cautious, change slowly and avoid risks, want more rules/regulations/guidelines, refer to past precedents of what works and what does not, stick to proven methods for solving problems, and not change plans at the last minute. This can be hard for the Westerner as new ideas can be stalled, rejected, or changed dramatically after going through a lengthy process of consideration.
As you can see from reading these examples the differences in culture are dramatic, yet not entirely impossible to work with. It also follows that the way of doing ministry as well as understanding biblical passages are viewed in an entirely different manner. These cultural differences should not be viewed
in the manner as a “great gulf in which one cannot pass from one side to the other” (Luke 16:26), but rather as differences such as what we experience in every day life such as: male and female, introvert and extrovert, and love and justice. It is interesting to note that most Christianity in Japan has come from Western Sources whether it be from Germany, Italy, the United Kingdoms, Australia,
Canada, or the United States despite vast differences in cultural understanding. I wonder if missionaries from Eastern oriented cultures such as India, China, or South Korea would have different effect upon Japan. But, until then, it appears that Western Countries (with the exception of South
Korea) send the most missionaries to Japan. After all we are not to rely upon our own human reasoning for the spreading of the gospel, but upon God’s direction. ( 1 Corinthians 1:17-31)
in the manner as a “great gulf in which one cannot pass from one side to the other” (Luke 16:26), but rather as differences such as what we experience in every day life such as: male and female, introvert and extrovert, and love and justice. It is interesting to note that most Christianity in Japan has come from Western Sources whether it be from Germany, Italy, the United Kingdoms, Australia,
Canada, or the United States despite vast differences in cultural understanding. I wonder if missionaries from Eastern oriented cultures such as India, China, or South Korea would have different effect upon Japan. But, until then, it appears that Western Countries (with the exception of South
Korea) send the most missionaries to Japan. After all we are not to rely upon our own human reasoning for the spreading of the gospel, but upon God’s direction. ( 1 Corinthians 1:17-31)
