I would not call that "brainwash", those are just cultural feats based on a lot of geographical and historical events. I do find their society way stronger to survive catastrophe than other societies that crumble easier due to the "individual way of thinking". Japanese understand that the common good includes them. This is the same as why during the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe, they would make sure they would not buy all the water but only what they needed, so everyone could find water on the stores if needed. Can you imagine that in a western society?
I think it has it's cons and pros, but I would not easily criticize like that.
Crap. Accidentally disliked.
I agree. I wouldn't think they're "brainwashed" either but Japan's society focuses less on the individual and more on their own people as a whole. This mindset to harmonize with others may not make sense to an individualistic mindset.
Also the pressure to word hard in Japanese society hard to break apart because they may be judged on by others if there not working hard as the rest. This puts pressure on people but even when they become ill it is not uncommon to shrug it off or cope with it.
I'd also like to add that in some Asian cultures like Japan and South Korea, mental illnesses are not taken seriously there. There is still a negative stigma around mental illnesses and it would not be easy to converse about such topics with people the Japanese are not close to.
Japan has on one of the top rates for suicide and their work environments are said to be super stressful as they often work long hours. It has a long way to go for things to be more balanced.
Hum.. yes and no. They feel "ill" when it's convenient for them.
What means that? That they tend to fall sick on Friday or Monday. Such a convenient sickness. Everyone knows, but it's better than saying that they are taking a holiday day. Just funny cultural reasons I guess. Work places are quite different to what they were a few years ago.
But their suicide rate is not something to point out as "stress", there is part of that, but mainly on the younger ones, regarding the entrance exams. BUT there is an historical context into this as well. When other societies told you suicide is bad, is a sin, you go to hell or whatever. Japan not only didn't demonize the suicide itself, but glorified it. So their concept of suicide nowadays is kind of different than it is to our societies. Right now, they don't consider it good, but obviously... they are still bombarded with dramas in which it is glorified. You only have to see the story behind Yukio Mishima to see that even it can become a stupid goal for a few ones (he would not be THE example, but it's a good way to start researching on this topic)
God, at least I gave use once in my life to that doctoral thesis that I wrote about Japanese society.
This is really interesting and I've never thought about it that way. In the UK a lot of people deem suicide as a selfish thing to do but I feel this is phasing into a more sympathetic view. I don't know much about Japanese culture but for some media, I've seen (samurai related) killing oneself is deemed as the hero's/honourable way out (again just an observation, could be wrong)
People dying because they overworking is something that worry own Japan.
Germany is an "individual way of thinking" country and it is strong.
“Individual way of thinking” is a mild way of putting what the US is. It’s more of a “me first” kind of country. We have very narrow minded people who don’t see the benefit of anything they aren’t directly connected to. They don’t have kids? Why should they pay for schools? Can’t afford healthcare? Simple solution, just don’t get sick. Cost of living is too high? Move. Or get a better job. Or get another job. Already have two? Get a third. Can’t afford to move? Well, maybe you should have gotten a better education. In this situation because of college debt? Maybe you shouldn’t have gotten a college education. Look at me, I make xxx amount a year, own my house and am only xx age. I did all on my own... - that’s the mindset of the US.
It’s the destructive capitalistic and “bootstrap” mentality. —Do things yourself, no one can help you, I did it, I didn’t get a break, why should you,— along with everything has a price. Combine the two and you don’t get entrepreneurial spirit, mostly it just kills society.
"It’s more of a “me first” kind of country." Fellow American here. This is a perfect description. I agree with everything you said.
It’s like half of the society wants to be a bigger person and help others, pay the extra taxes for healthcare and childcare and school, and the other half are like “but SoCiaLiSm”. Like do the world a favour and go jump off a cliff.
Aside if you like the story or not it make me upset the usual glorification of workaholism in these societies. Like man, he had a serious illness and they go with the he-is-happy or he works for the sake of Japan *rolling eyes* Brainwashed there? And no free public sanity and a minimus in employers rights do these to people.
Well, at least they will have a couple of years together until his body say byebye for good. The pressuremeter is not going give him back his health for sure. Is good seme is kind of ace.
More ace characters please!!