In
the social composition of the Japanese being exists the very real
conflict between social obligation and personal feelings. These
personal feelings are known as Ninjō.
In an earlier blog here. I spoke of social obligation, otherwise known as giri.
This social obligation plays such a strong role in Japanese culture
that it is often expected that one yield personal desires and
feelings to it unquestioningly. However, this does not mean that
personal feelings are absent. For example Japanese employees are
expected to provide excellent service to customers even when treated
very poorly. The honor of the company as well as the duty of the
individual are at stake, so the insults must be taken. Whereas in the
Western world a insult by a customer may or may not be taken so
kindly; company or not! We may now understand how pressure could
easily build up within each person as they continually deny
themselves in order to fulfill social obligations. Perhaps this is
one reason why Japanese life can be stressful.
To
an extent no matter where we are at in our lives we all deal with
certain social obligations. However in Japan social obligation has
been taken to a high degree as they have been integrated into every
aspect of life. This especially becomes painfully obvious to the
newly born-again Christian when trying to live every day life here.
There are great expectations to conform to religious ceremonies, work
obligations, and other various activities – which can bring great
conflicts within the Christian conscience. What happens when in order
to keep your job it is expected to drink after work every night? What
happens when the school requires your child to do something against
their beliefs? What do you do when your family pressures you into
breaking your convictions? These are all real pressures that Japanese
Christians face in a strong group oriented society. By default these
brave men and women have to 'Dare to be a Daniel'. Perhaps this is
why few here choose to become Christians, or are very quiet about
telling anyone that they are a Christian. In reality no matter where
we live in the world we have to make a decision to either go along
with the world or to oppose it. We must ask ourselves if we are going
to be of the world or in the world witnessing to it of Christ. May
God grant us the resolve to live a Christ-honoring life!
