It is quite obvious from any outside
observer that the Japanese way of life is quite different from that
of anywhere else on earth. One of the areas in which this difference
has been seen is in male-female relationships, otherwise known as
Danjyo Kankei. Some research will yield that Japan was
originally said to be a female dominated society, which later
transitioned to a male dominated society when Confucianism was
introduced through Chinese influences. This influence has existed up
until after World War 2 in which the concept of equal rights as well as later
feminism were introduced into Japan. However, despite these
influences Japan still appears to be a more conservative male
oriented society in general.
Japanese people typically do not date
until later after high school years due to high educational
pressures, and if they even marry will not typically do so until
their early 30s. A culmination of cultural norms concerning
communication, societal expectations (education, work), and familial
pressures seem to make the whole process awkward. In recent times due
to a lowering population, changed ideas about sexuality, as well as
more women entering the work force, it appears that fewer people are
getting married at all. It does not help that a group of men have
been labeled as 'herbivore men' for not having any desire for
any kind of relationship at all. For those who are interested in
relationships often group dating, various dating services, or omiai are considered ways to initiate relationships.
When Japanese do get married the
typical scenario is for the man to work many long hours while the
woman essentially stays behind to raise children in an almost
single-parent style setup. It is expected for the man work long
hours, stay out late after work to maintain harmony with his co-workers, and come back
very late (past 10pm) at night each day. Often times the woman takes care of the
house, children, financial, and spiritual aspects of the home. She
can also be expected to be somewhat subservient to her new mother and
father-in-law. For these reasons relationships in Japan are often
strained, which has led to lowered expectations, affairs, and more
room-mate like conditions. Relationships here rarely express
affection and often seem to be taken for granted. Perhaps we can now
understand one of the reasons as to why the population may be
decreasing!
What does this mean for ministry
purposes? It seems that perhaps with such a low emphasis on
relationships that some serious desires for meaning of life as well
as reason for relationships ought to be explored in detail. In a
materialistic society less emphasis seems to be placed on children or
human value in general, while more seems to be placed on the
self-fulfilling desires. The Bible gives the solution to the problems
Japan is facing in providing a guideline for living, reason to exist,
and blessings from God Himself to those willing to follow Him. We
should pray for the salvation of the Japanese people as well as
direction and purpose!
