Essays

LOST GENERATION IN COCOONS

INTRODUCTION

In the second half of the century, children grew up and did not experience the war. As a consequence, they are unaware of Japan Inc.’s struggle to become one of the major economic players in the world. Since they were born, they are surrounded by electronic goods that their parent generation was eager to buy. And in the late 80’s, Japanese society began to have many social problems such as the breakup of the family and school. Many of those children lost their dreams, and they became what is so-called “hikikomori”.

Japan is a high-achievement society, as exemplified by the speed at which they picked themselves up from the devastation of war to an economic superpower within a matter of decades. This economic success has come at a high price, though, with the number of fleeting youth disorders rising.

Japan is a reasonably safe place by international standards. The crime rate is low and muggings are very rare. Strict gun laws no doubt have much to do with Japan’s seemingly low crime rate. However, crimes aren’t accomplished with guns alone. But with the recent juvenile rampages and string of unthinkable attacks, some interesting questions about the changes taking place in Japanese society pop up. First, is the crime rate really low as it appears? Second, has the apparent low, crime rate numbed the society into a false sense of security? Third, is the society really making a genuine effort to understand the changes rocking from within? These questions would surely guide us in our quest of understanding the problems that arises in the context of Japan.

Obvious even among the uninitiated, Japanese youth culture is one of the world’s most vibrant and strikingly psychedelic. From Pokemon to anime and manga to baggy socks, Japanese youth trends circle the planet with amazing speed. Yet presently, Japan is going through something of a youth crisis. There seems to be amiss in its society that is creating attention to be directed in its study. The recession that has numbled on for much of the past decade has created a generation of disillusioned youth, not unlike the slackers that stigmatized Generation X in America during the 80s until the early 90s.

The social compact that the present generation’s parents grew up with has been broken. Young Japanese nowadays can afford to turn away from the old ways. Schoolgirls rebel in their own way, with surprising numbers trying “sponsored dating”, up to and including prostitution, known as enjo kosai. Millions are choosing to become “freeters”, doing a series of casual and part-time jobs while they figure out what to do with their lives instead of hitting down the books and earning a degree from a university. Truly, the collective behavior of the present generation of Japanese is causing much a concern for their older counterparts to worry and become dismayed about.

In the past, young people in Japan were expected to take on responsibilities early to support their parents and grandparents. Now, they expect exactly the opposite, that they be supported well up to late adulthood. One could only ask, what are the significant things which triggered this sudden reversal of expectations? the “new” breed, born since the 1960s, have never known anything but affluence and good life secured by economic success that the century is still enjoying up the present. Osamu Nakano, a sociologist, describes them as “choosing pleasure over pain, recreation over work, consumption over production, appreciation over creation.” Youth are seen as resistant to entering society as mature adults. Once the great goal of reconstruction after the second World War was accomplished, argues Ryu Murakami, a novelist and film maker, a new generation lost the motivating force that had knitted the nation together.

Looking from another perspective where we all attracted to Japan whether for its J-pop, anime, or tea ceremony, we could only marvel at the intense appeal and attractiveness of this country. This hyper over Japan reflecting its modern image lies within a sub-culture represented by TV dramas, animation, music, and food. Interestingly though, most of the time we find it difficult to pinpoint the reasons for its distinctive apeal and how they particularly came into existence and what fostered them. It seems impossible that the very nation that embraced the strictly hierarchal and patriarchal values of feudalism is tha considered the mecca of fashion and trends of the world. This now leads us to the question: “Is the pop-culture of Japan, a reflection of the discontentment and/or revolution of its youth against the rigid standards or their society?” And for those who feel concerned and disturbed about Japan’s future it would be better to further contemplate: “Is this healthy for the nation in general or just another hype destined to fade?”

Japan’s birth rate has been falling rapidly. At the same time, youth crime, although still extraordinarily low by western standards, rose to its highest level in history. Likewise, the proportion of students dropping out before graduating has nevertheless been rising. Recently, a group of individuals labeled as “hikikomori” has been stirring and morbid crimes is being scrutinized, but only a few dared to understand their plight as the make waves in the society.

HIKIKOMORI DEFINED

The term hikikomori typically refers to the socially withdrawn kids who typically lock themselves in their bedrooms and refuse contact with the outside world. Most of the time they disappear into technology, busy tinkering and playing with their high-tech gadgets such as videogames, mobile phones, or computers. It is the state of anomie into which as increasing number of young Japanese psychiatrist who specializes in adolescent personality disorders in an article posted in theatlantic.com, the word “hikikomori” – in Japanese means “shutting oneself inside” or people who withdraw like turtles into their shells. He also interprets them as a result of Japan becoming “materially wealthy at the expense of . . . spiritual happiness,” thus being caught in a “moral vacuum” and unable to cope. Other phrases which describe them are “voluntary shut-ins” and empty-shell people.” The figures estimate that there are as much as 1million individuals affected all over Japan which includes those in their early teens and in their late 30s.

This state of funk afflicts teenagers and professionals alike. They are those simple withdraw from their careers and hole up nearly 24 hours a day staying inside their rooms, emerging only to gather food before retreating back inside for TV of other solitary pastimes (Metropulse.com). It is something different from agoraphobia, depression, autism, otakuism, or schizophrenia and their ilk (kurellian.tripod.com. It is a mistake to equate the hikikomori phenomenon with either crime or mental illness. For one thing, true hikikomori by definition “do not have wherewithal to venture into the world to commit a crime,” accordingly to Sadatsugu Kudo (Tim Larimer – “Staying In, Turning Out”). It involves withdrawal from school, work, and society, to just about the smallest physical space possible. The ill may go for years without even speaking to others. It is an affliction of affluent, healthy, and educated young citizens and that is probably why lesser-developed countries don’t exhibit this social characteristic inherent to Japan Ichiko Fuyuno and Jennifer Schultz observes further:

This is more than just teenage angst. The condition is defined as those who are unable to leave their homes and take part in society for six months or longer. . . . The reasons are complex, ranging from bullying at school, feeling inferior to others or enduring parental pressure. When these fears escalate, many young people find it easier to simply shut the door.

Fuyuno and Schultz also agree that most hikikomori are neither mentally ill nor violent, the condition resembles depression, but the symptoms are different and unless they are placed in a stressful situation, their behavior is normal. The victim usually begins withdrawing from social contact severing all personal connections and retreating to the safety of the house or, in extreme cases, the bedroom. Michael Millet finds it that, “The sanctuary becomes a personal prison – the ultimate retreat from the outside world.” It is very hard to communicate with them and just opening the bedroom door could go on for weeks of negotiation.

What is intriguing about this phenomenon is that the victims are chiefly teenage boys and young men. Rare are the case where there are lot of women involved and if there are, Ryan Connel believes the difference is that: “Often you’ll find women are suicidal. Most of them have some experiences of slashing their wrists or overdosing. Guys, on the other hand, tend to take out their anxities by attacking their parents. Guys attack their parents, women attack themselves,”. But then, why so prevalent among men than women? Dr. Ken Kamoche theorizes that:

In male-dominated societies, men experience these anxieties of pressure to larger extent than women. The expectations on women are not as high, and likewise, the opportunities available to them especially in the workplace, are not as extensive. It’s an interesting irony that the men who are speaking out against hikikomoriare calling for a men’s liberation.

Takemi Matsuda, editor-in-chief of Hikikomori, a magazine devoted to promoting communication among Japan’s recluses, admits that, “It’s hard to define hikikomori. You’ll have some who’ll never leave their home, while others, like a library.” Parents of the hikikomori in their 30s are fast approaching retirement age, leaving their offspring with an impending sense of doom for the future.

OTAKU VS. HIKIKOMORI

A decade ago, another social phenomenon, the rise of otaku, troubled Japan. Roughly translated, otaku means nerd. It refers to people who shut themselves away, spending their days absorbed in anime, manga, and video games. Lawrence Eng notes that they were considered freakish, and a high-profile crime blamed on otaku triggered considerable hand-wringing, much like the concerns about hikikomori. Yet the nerds are considered normal now, even trendy. In comparison to hikikomori, otaku seem like well-adjusted members of society, if only slightly weird. [Austism on the other hand is a behavioral disorder that affects the normal development of a child with respect to his or her communication and interaction skills at the basic level (Cowley 46).] Lawrence Eng points out that:

Upon closer inspection、hikikomori seem very different from the otaku. Although people have criticized otaku for being socially inept and unable to make friends, when we consider the types of connections they do make, this is clearly not the case, especially in contrast to the hikikomori who don’t talk to anyone if they don’t have to. . . .Otaku are not so distant from their hikikomori cousins in one sense, unfortunately. It is not so difficult to see the otaku – who is unfairly shunned and abused by society – wanting to withdraw from mainstream society altogether and become a hikikomori.

The super-interested and super-involved otaku has a purpose and therefore as identity. The uninterested and uninvolved hikikomori has neither and might therefore be more prone to desperate violence when triggered or forced. And usually the reasons include a personal setback, severe bullying, intense pressure to succeed, or broken romance.

THE SCENARIO

In one case, a family adjusted their routine to accommodate the request of their son, in his twenties, that they avoid all personal contact with him. The mother admitted that she had not seen her son in years even though she could feel him living in the same house. She simply placed food outside his door.

One 17-year-old boy bludgeoned passengers at a Tokyo subway station with a baseball bat after a fight with his father, another hurled a bomb into a video store just to see people torn apart while a third stabbed an elderly neighbor because he wanted to know what it felt like to kill.

Another 17-year-old got into a fight with members of his school baseball club over haircuts and then went home and beat his mother to death with a baseball bat because she would not give him money to pay for a haircut.

In the latest case, a pair of 16-year-old lovers was arrested for stabbing a taxi driver to death. They were quoted as telling police they wanted to steal the driver’s money so that they could live together.

RELATION TO CRIME OCCURENCE

Nowadays, a wave of mindless crime by Japanese teenagers, many of them 17-years-olds, has been shocking the country and has drawn intense media scrutiny (indian-express.com). Japanese press have attributed a recent rise in Japan’s violent-crime rate to hikikomori. And the headline-grabbing nature of the crimes has convinced many Japanese that teenage crime is one of the country’s most pressing social problems let alone in a land renowed for its safety. The crimes have been cruel, unpredictable, and often deadly. In May 2000, a high school boy, brandishing a knife, commandeered and held hostage a passenger bus. There was no demand for money or whatsoever, only a student who had been bullied and treated for mental illness after dropping out of school.

Some of the gruesome crimes which have been committed by hikikomori exhibit no more serious motives other than to kill or maim. The ways in which they were carried out appear to have been lifted or enacted from scenes of popular violent cartoon strips, magazines, and computer games. In fact, the copycat culture is rife in Japan.

REASONS

Belonging outside a peer group would quickly entitle oneself subject to become an Ijime, those who are persecuted and bullied because of being different in one thing or another. According to the Ministry of Education, about 10% of Ijime students, worn out from the stress, attempt suicide at least once. Richard Werly asserts that the responsibility for this Ijime phenomenon truly lies with the Japanese educational system. Respected for their iron discipline and criticized for the stress it puts on students due to its systematic cramming, schools neglect the human side undeniably. Aged in general between 8 to 15, many of these Ijime later on become hikikomori. Criminal experts say years pent-up anger against society could result in terrifying acts of retalation.

“In today’s society, with its stress on everyone following the same course and pursuing the same goals, there are so few chances to recover your footing once you’ve stumbled – if you’ve been bullied, for example, or if you’ve failed an entrance exam,” Keigo Okonogi, professor of psychiatric medicine at Tokyo International University wrote in Asahi Shimbun (Indian-express.com)

“Young people today…recognize no controlling principle beyond themselves. Desire is to be satisfied, not controlled, and nowadays the urge to fill any desire finds extra support, either from friends or from the media,” he added.

Self-imposed isolation has its social manifestation. Japan closed itself off from other nations for two centuries until Meiji Restoration when the US forced a trade country in 1853. Stories of solitary wanderers and heroes are a staple of Japanese literature. And in Japan’s post WWII division of labor, men have generally removed themselves from the family to concentrate on work, while women have been expected to stay home and dedicate themselves to their children’s education. Unconsciously, this way, the intense closeness between mothers and children, particularly sons, progressively develops to the point that mothers shower overflowing affection by spoiling them and later on support them unconditionally until well into adulthood. In the same light, since many of those afflicted belong to affluent families generally increased the space and time where each individual can accommodate self-reflections and contemplations of pure thought. Along with this deviation from the feudalistic orientation, families have become more independent and smaller. This has made it particularly difficult for people to look for cushion when heavy problems appear.

Japanese school children also face heavy pressure to succeed from parents and teachers. Those who fail sometimes feel such shame that they are unable to deal with their peers. In extreme cases, the code of the samurai or Bushido, still present in the subconscious psyche of the Japanese, is being invoked as a moral law. Failings means a grave loss of honor that only by taking one’s life will save one’s face as can be verified with the practice of hara-kiri or seppuku. For the Yakuzas, members of a notorious gang group, to shame the honor of the group is tantamount to smearing the name of the daimyo or clan masters of the long-gone feudal era.

Werly also recognizes that, “As elsewhere, Japanese communities are rife with gossip and judgment, that the neighbors” ees are another force that can keep people indoor. Social pressure also slows parental intervention, since allowing a child to remain in hiding may draw less attention than doing something about it.”

Looking from above, we could only wonder why this phenomenon is unique to Japan. Sadatsugu Kudo (Tim Larimer – “Staying In, Turning out”) attempted to answer by:

Teenagers across the world go through angst, depression, and withdrawal, to be sure. But in no other country does that condition appear so widespread or so enduring. You can’t pinpoint the reasons, but you can pinpoint the context – it’s Japan. Here, you have to be like other people, and if you aren’t, you have a sense of loss, of shame. So you withdraw. When you are different, you take the logical step for self-preservation. You disappear.

Although there are people like these all over the world, Japan’s hikikomori are different for two reasons. First, the number of these people in Japan is staggering, and, second, a surprising number of shockingly violent crimes that have rocked Japan is in one degree or another blamed on them. Many hikikomori say that they withdraw from society because of the intense pressure to fit in. Because people who do not fit in are so alienated, they have nowhere to turn, and so they turn inwards (salonmag.com)

In Japan, you are born to excel, period. Being a nation defined by i ganbare spirit, aimless is something a new and therefore unacceptable. Familial and societal expectations for academic achievement on your part may be as high or higher than in any other developed country. So to simply avoid constant comparison with others you will prefer to rain i isolation. The pressure to succeed is indoctrinated in you from the minute you’re enrolled at kindergarten. From then on, it is cu-throat competition to get into the best schools, the best university, and ultimately the best company. Life afterwards become a rigid routine encircling about one’s work that home virtually becomes blurred and the house is simply reduced to a motel. And adapting this fatal lifestyle all for the glory of Japan.

“This young generation was born into a country on the ascendancy, but it has come of age in a country in decline. They don’t know what to aim for,” puts Mariko Fujiwara, a noted sociologist. Education in Japan is a series of levels. It has become disastrous in the last decade as people discover that graduating from a good university does not guarantee success anymore. Hideko Takayama further laments that, “Education experts say too many Japanese students, both undergraduate and graduate are unfocused. Raised in post-war affluence, most tend to drift through college after passing the grueling entrance exams.” The implicit deal so many Japanese kids made – study hard, get good grades, go to a top university, land a job – has been broken. And in place of this comfortable if somewhat boring life, they face a moribund economy and diminishing prospects.

Dr. Ken Kamoche also claims that, “The tragedy is that young people cannot always bear this pressure, and in a society in which failure is anathema, the consequences can be psychologically devistating.” Especially when that pressure is framed purely in terms of passing exams. And some who are unable to cope with the pressure simple opt to escape life by commiting suicide.

Experts agree that hikikomori, is first of all response to the Japanese emphasis on conforming to the group. But if it were not also for the level of technological sophistication Japan has achieved, these hikikomori would not have become such or not have been able to afford surviving long periods of solace. The gadgets which provide them a temporary release and transcendental journey to their imagination is an effective pastime, busying them while they hatch inside their cocoons. Once they are ready to break free, it becomes all the more dangerous standing their way.

With the lost of the motivating force that Murakami points out, as a consequence, affluent Japanese are confused with the kind of lifestyle to take up and that uncertainty has pulled people further apart and caused a “whole raft of social problems.” (Murakami)

JAPANESE AND WESTERN DIFFERENCES

A Western-style society, where individual independence is most valued, is structed in a manner that facilitates individual ability to maintain consistent thought and behavior patterns. That Western societies respect variability in individuals underscores that fact. On the contrary, however, individuals may be left to suffer in isolation, which may result in many heinous crimes.

Japanese “double” structure of hone – one’s true intentions – and tatemae – one’s public stance – does not easily allow individuals to go insane by going beyond the limit apportioned to them. Because they are not left completely isolated in Japan, in compatible behavior becomes dependent, and withdrawal takes place. A note of caution, however, is given in that withdrawal also involves a positive aspect, which nurtures creativity. It only turns into a problem when the behavior becomes “chronic and pathological” (Ueda).

Larimer covers the situation from a decidedly Western point of view, comparing the crimes with the wave of US school shootings. He claims that Japan’s crime rates are the highest since they have been in 32 years. He attributes the problem to hikikomori, teens who withdraw from school, friends, and family. He further suggests implicity that Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, the infamous Columbine students, were hikikomori. When it comes down to it, Larimer postulates that there are just some kids who go bad.

Yuji Oinki, on the other hand, a writer for Pulp, a magazine devoted to manga and Japanese popular culture, sees these crimes and the growing number hikikomori, as evidence of serious flaws in the Japanese educational system.

ANALYSIS

The world’s over-preocupation with financial success and secular goals may also be causing a mental and psychological disconnect with up and coming generations, who all to often see their parents as confused and unhappy people, despite being relatively well-off financially. If we combine this in a teen’s mind with the often overwhelming realization of just how complex and fast-paced today’s world can be, then add peer pressures, parental expectations, and others to conform to rules for which they don’t appreciate, and the likelihood of snapping up is not altogether unlikely one. These periods of hikikomori signify these people’s personal efforts to reconcile the contradictions they see around them into a personal philosophy and value systems they can live with.

“hikikomori is the consequence of the phenomenal growth of the Japanese economy during the later half of the 20th century and the tremendous technological progress the country achieved during that time,” believes Murakami. According to social psychologists, the problem stems from crises that have afflicted the recluses at younger ages and unaddressed by their families or specialists, have mushroomed into much bigger problems. Upbringing, too, is a large factor. Children raised with an emphasis on pleasing on being good boys and girls, seem particularly vulnerable. It’s estimated tha some 80 percent of hikikomori sufferers missed their adolescent rebellion, a vital phase of character formation (Hoffman).

In all the cases and crimes involving hikikomori, the unfiying thread is revolt against the established order. There is nothing new about young people rebelling against the established order. It happens everywhere, it manifests itself in various ways and differs in form and degree, from merely sulking to engaging in gruesome crimes.

Similar to the United States, Japan is haunted by a rising rate of juvenille delinquency. It appears that students turned criminals are the victims of a successful system, one which sacrifices a few individuals for the benefit of society in general. It seems doubtful that this problem can be solved by simple legislating tougher laws Sometimes the letter of the law does not necessarily act an effective dterrent. However, the other alternative would be for the Japanese to fundamentally rethink their ideas about conformity in schools. Simple appeals to “the old traditions of respect, loyalty, duty, and putting country and family before self” (Lamont-Brown) will not suffice, unless they are filled with meaning for those teenagers who lack just that: a sense of what life is about. Once this sense of purpose becomes clear,only then can they leave their cocoons, safely.

Contemporary Pop-Culture Idiosyncrasies and

Dilemma as Symptoms of Globalization

This essay tackles the contemporary socio-cultural revolutions that are currently shaking the traditional foundations of Japan as a rapidly developing country in the context of technological innovations, political interdependence, and the infectious phenomena called globalization.

Perhaps somehow, we have also been compelled to marvel at the immense scope of progress and magnitude of technological superiority that Japan has miraculously attained given its cultural inclinations of being homogenous. From here, we are led to discover more about its people, industries, business practices, traditional culture, and subconscious philosophies — indeed, its very way of life. These subjects did not escape my attention and has continually haunted me just like any other Japanophiles out there. They have undoubtedly become the focus of intense curiosity of everybody as the nation’s impact on the economic and international affairs makes itself increasingly felt.

Being awed by the economic miracle Japan performed in transforming its shambling foundations after the Pacific war of the 1940s, one cannot help but wonder as to how strict adherence to traditions and respect for authority placed this country ahead of others — within barely half a century. With this image of Japan as aggressive about its growth and conscious of its technological promise, we usually contemplate on the factors that have made this country — on that are economically superior and technologically advanced. There is no denying the fact that even the west is being forcefully kept wary in deciphering the inner workings and ways of the Japanese mind and why they seem to be effective. Here, our focus mainly falls on the physical aspects of this country long held by the stern image of the salaryman. But we must not also neglect the kind the kind of life there is in such a position. This directly calls for deeper scrutiny and understanding of the contemporary society it sustains. The differences from the so-called generation of economic warriors that built the country from the ashes of the recent world war and the present must be noted. Questions centering on issues such as the unprecedented rise of juvenile delinquency, the growing movement of women’s liberation, and the apparent lack of determined interests and focus among the youth in continuing the hard-driven attitude of their forbearers must be raised and discussed. Whether the social indicators are given enough importance in the role they play must be resolved. And whether the implied meanings are being heeded and addressed must be made clear. Side by side, the increasing pressure of globalization and its incessant knocking on the national psyche of the nation should also be considered in a social context. This is not to downplay the growing popularity of the Internet revolution that is latering long-held traditions. From raw observations, we can draw meaningful lessons that will put our sometimes narrow-minded views about aspiring for economic success and national development into reflections. It is to be stipulated that the national development that we all aim for is where the majority of the people will satisfied with stable means of living. Keeping in mind that no perfect society exists and will never exist, does the path to ultimate prosperity necessitates such social dilemma to co-exist as an inevitable requirement for “civilization” to proceed in such a manner? From the point of view of one coming from a developing country like ours, we instinctively envy the powerful gadgets and level of technological sophistication achieved by those in the developed one. If then, how about late-age marriages and low birthrates, euthanasia, “degenerating” cultural values, loss of respect — do we also crave and aim for such kind of reality to dawn upon us? If not, where should we really head for? While these questions are difficult to answer, an in-depth analysis of the contemporary lifestyle and society such a country under the influence of “globalization” will be helpful in our search for answers and cure for the abject social malaises prevalent nowadays.

For this purpose, I chose Japan for it fits every criteria of being an advanced nation that almost single-handedly engineered its industrialization to become an economic superpower. The fact that the country suffered a financial meltdown after the burst of the bubble economy in the 80s and is still struggling in reviving again the economy is necessary too. Here the social reverberations and manifestations of a country at the peak of affluence followed by a grudgingly painful financial crisis can be observed and studied. Singapore is yet another plausible candidate for this kind of study through the social indicators still display a positive showing and is not really ripe with experience of having deep downturns. Without further ado, I rest my case with following analysis.

Globalization Defined

It is imperative, perhaps, to define first globalization in observable terms. That is, here we readily recognize the elimination of physical boundaries of countries in sharing a freer and open market economy where the competition lies in the strength and quality of a product. The breakdown of the barriers results to increasing independence among nations. It is described as a historically inevitable path where the entire world becomes one market and the nations cooperate while competing at the same time. Economic activities are aimed at sourcing the cheapest raw materials and producing the best goods and services. The market ultimately decides who the winner or loser is. Undeniably, we can roughly equate this phenomenon with the concomitant information age, spurred by the knowledge economy thru the Internet, as the most effective medium in disseminating information and liberalizing value systems. This also inevitably leads to the convergence of services and innovations in the fields of science and technology. An enormous wealth is being created and the benefits are enjoyed and maximized. As traditional values are being melted along the tide of changes, the society is readily embracing the modern values of freedom and the quest for self-advancement is extolled to high levels. The characteristics attached to the spreading globalization are genuinely manifested in the individualistic ideals of the contemporary youth endowed with a more secure environment and so much wealth and freedom. The banners raised are somewhat similar to which they are free to chase their dreams, however they want it to be. New age beliefs and philosophies are generally pointing towards greater self-indulgence and gratification pointing towards greater self-indulgence and gratification of the relative prosperity achieved by the times. As the Asian region emerges from the financial crisis, a new, confident generation is putting up a quiet revolution that is breaking traditions. Individuality, that is, is deeply asserted as never before. The new economy spawns opportunities that break away from conventions. Its promise to liberate everyone from the shackles of old-fashioned ideologies poses as the hope of the poor and those fed up with the same boring traditions. The prominence of technological sophistication has largely opened new dimensions of lifestyles and entertainment, creating a whole new social well-being, largely apart from those of the older generations. Within this domain of globalization per se, we can now move on to reviewing the immediate course Japan took until the present times.

Historical Overview

Land of the Gods

The Japanese long before traces their ancestry in the direct lineage of the Gods taken to have created Japan. As a country, Japan thinks of itself as a big family whose leader descended from a God, thus reinforcing the belief of supernatural origin of the nation and emphasizing the divinity of the Emperor. Consequently, the belief that there is a divine nation with the emperor as the center of all respect accorded to the Gods, also symbolizes the unity that forms the core of their national pride and spirit. Its early contacts with China clearly display the inherent aptness of the Japanese as a good learner or pupil in that sense. But it was also evident that Japan got its knowledge primarily from China and overseas conquests but did not solely copy what it deemed very good for itself but rather modified and improved them in ways that best suits its conditions and interests. It is in this course that Buddhism had its own schools or sects deeply rooted in its history. The imperial system of government with the Emperor as the leader resembles that of China but had not functioned as exact like that of the latter’s. The adopted from of governance and leadership worth preserves the aristocratic nature of the Japanese, which was based upon birth, in contrast to that of China which was proved through bureaucratic civil competition. Apart from this system, the society was largely feudal. Thus, power rested really on the influential clans who hold military control of the state. This cycle was repeated over and over in the struggles for dinance and supremacy by the warring clans. Here, it is carefully to be noted that the imperial house still remained the fount of honor and dignity as revered by the people. This is fairly a constant feature of Japanese life. What in reality is a revolution or shift of power was effected smoothly while the forms of that which preceded it were largely preserved. Later, this characteristic of the Japanese had profound effects in their ways of dealing especially in business practices and in introduction of reforms. The old structures were allowed continued existence and if there is something new needed, another function will be created to fill that need. The tradition permitted enough flexibility to meet fresh conditions, yet does not make a clean sweep of the past.

“Barbarian-Subduing General”

The rise of the Minamoto clan paved the way for the establishment of the Shogunate under its leader Yoritomo. The new from controlled state affairs and rendered the Emperor as puppet of military until the very Shogunate, which attemted to control the affairs of the nation, was seized by Tokugawa Ieyasu. After gaining power and control, he had himself appointed as head of the government, achieving full control of the imperial house and the state. The Emperor still was sacrosanct but was not allowed to assume active functions in the administration of the state. The Shogunate still maintained the daimyo and the samurai classes, requiring them to pay tributes to the central state. The internal peace achieved by the Tokugawa was lasting enough to harbinger the growth of the cities and the rise of the merchant class. The prominence of the towns and the flourishing trade further led to the development of money economy instead of that one based on rice. Gradually, the trend worked to the advantage of the merchants and capitalists and reduced the power and influence of military and spurred rapid cultural developments the country ever witnessed. One constant feature of the times was the extreme isolation from foreign influence. However, there were developments that slowly bred to the ambitious and intense nationalism that fueld the colonial conquests undertaken by the empire later. The opening of the country by the treaties initiated by Perry reaped the fruits that the Tokugawa regime of relative peace had sowed.

Emperor Re-empowerment

What followed next placed the country on the point of changing of tides in the course history. Thru the Meiji Restoration, the country ripe to industrialize was gaining an influx of knowledge and know-how from the West. The collapse of the Shogunate caused the direct rise to power of the Imperial Government, centering on the Emperor. In no time, the country was on the path to industrialization and serious political and economic transition. The samurai modernizers brought out from seclusion the Emperor’s pontifical role and revived Shinto to patriotic levels. The Emperor was given back the authority when feudalism weakend along with the decay of the Tokugawa leaders. At the same time, the country experienced a dire need to learn anything from the West in its patriotic mission to stay afloat in the changing times. In early 1900s, Japan was already making headway in technological advancements. The nation was actively trading with the West and developed its heavy under the veil of intense patriotism and of the state Shinto religion that exalted the Emperor above all. This eventually engaged the country in a war with China, Korea, and Russia on the path to rule, and supposedly to redeem the world as mandate of the Gods. The militaristic tradition strengthened and harbored during the Meiji Restoration epitomizes the economic superiority the country attained in less than a century. The Japanese after centuries of isolation opened themselves convulsively in the Meiji to “civilization and enlightenment” — technologies alien to their previous ways of being and knowing. What had emerged as a military-industrial entity was bent on territorial conquest. The apex was reached when it met embroilingly head-on with the United States. It was to be known as the most disastrous war the nation ever endured during the World War II (or Pacific War for that matter) that was ended with two A-bombings and take-over of Japan by the Americans. Just before that war, Japan had achieved a considerable position in terms of modernizing the country but had already suffered huge debts.

Post-A-Bomb-Japan

After the occupation forces settled in Japan and stripped the Emperor of his powers, the constitution was altered to become a pacifist one. America was determined that Japan should never again pose the same threat, so it embarked on a program of social reengineering set about restricting the national psyche. The scenario abruptly became bleak and the country was heavily handicapped as it entered the years of reconstruction. Democracy was to be upheld all throughout. And this kept the nation’s focus in restoring the economy. Japan was lucky to have retained the technical skill in industry, finance, and commerce in transforming its economy back to track. The country was permitted to keep its Emperor and much of the government structure thereby eliminating the offshoot of possible widespread civil chaos. The whole of the nation was now totally committed to economic recovery and with aid from the US; the build-up of the country’s GNP was accelerated. Thanks to technology and its economic warriors, Japan achieved the status of being a first world country within less than half a century.

Dilemma

Clearly, one the mainstrays of the economic power of Japan rests on its technological superiority in terms of mass production, low-defect rate, and high quality. Here lies its trump card in the high-stakes gamble of international politics. It is a powerful advantage that even without the Self-Defense Forces, the country could still command security for it possesses the backbone of military precision sought by powerful countries, thus superiority, which is really the mass production of high-quality semiconductors. She could even boldly tip off the balance of international politics by refusing the supply of these necessary equipment to other world superpowers. The trade surplus that resulted from superior production has caused trade friction with the US and even surpassed that of the latter’s. The Japanese are culturally endowed with the gift for improving and refining everything from Buddhism to semiconductors but the economic boom followed a steep path towards national affluence until the not-so-long-ago burst of its bubble economy which sent the nation in deep reflection and recession. The nation is still struggling with the demands of coping up and revitalizing the crisis-stricken and low consumer spending economy. Many factors are being put into consideration and questioned. The emergence of the new world order in the advent of the information age is mounting severe pressures on the strength of national traditions and business procedures where the economic foundations lie. The repercussions are further aggravated in the social context of the country which seems to be losing direction. From here we are now led to question the appropriateness of certain traditional ways still being respected and implemented.

True enough, globalization is more than just internationalization. Both possess direct proportionality in terms of imposing radical strains and changes upon the culturally-isolated Japan. We have been seeing rapid and intrepid reactions caused by the influential explosion launched from the West. With the country beset with economic woes and a problematic youth, what is amiss in the society is drawing much attention.

The Indicators

Bye-bye to Workers

With the economy suffering in the doldrums for more than a decade now, foreign ideas are being welcomed as last-ditch efforts to resuscitate the gasping companies. Nissan, for example, is swallowing a hard medicine in implementing a Western-style restructing to open up its tradition-bound corporate management. It may seem to hurt the national pride behind the sub-consciousness of the Japanese but it seems doing good. No longer does this kind of “radical” solutions taken up by other ailing companies as well, are considered wholly as taboo but practically and necessary to stay afloat in the drifting time. This can be taken as part of the cumulative measures influenced by global interdependence. While some years ago Japanese companies boast of strength and leadership in the market that is setting trends then, it will not be long from now that they will be soon riding the wave of information age but not without giving in slightly to the pressures of globalization. What makes them apprehensive to follow the trend is their cautious attitude that this might be a propaganda by the West to defeat their already weak economy. While in part, it is true because the internet revolution’s ultimate medium is based on the English language, laxing foreign policies regarding Western influence is inevitable and this what hurts the Japanese strongholds the most. The youth, who are eager to embrace easily Marilyn Manson and the hip-hop style of living, are causing the concerns of the older generation. The war-time memories are still not so distant that the Japanese, the older and stereo-typed ones specifically, are hesitant to open up Korea’s K-pop, thrilling movies, and star sensations. The cultural pride is deeply hurt and this is what “globalization” is blindly advocating (even among other countries) and so contemporary strains and animosity is breeding within society.

Party System and Deflated Banks

Even Japan’s paternalistic attitude towards its troubled banks and industries is getting a turnaround. The public does not want anymore to foot the bill, bailing them out of huge debts and keeping the same fundamental organizations that are not doing a good job in defending the static economy. They would now not tolerate the orchestrated taxpayer-financed maneuvers by the vested-interest-inspired parties especially the rulling Liberal Democractic Party whose election funds depend mainly on the anomalous donations from dominant industries. The construction sector in particular, which have long been getting tax and law incentives in a sacred-cow show by the government to pump capital by sponsoring lavish and massive public works spending, is suffering severe blows not with standing the ominous government intervention. This unproductive relationship between the government and the companies has become the target of violent protests and radical changes. The banks, too, are receiving excessive prodding that they fail to reconcile bad debts. This long tradition of strong companies helping the week, with the support of the government is taken in order to minimize “confusion” but in the advent of widespread recession it becomes clearly unpractical. The continued support of the unporfitable enterprises, deeply entrenched in the ties with political parties, it not the clear remedy to fix the main problems. The nation can’t just afford to keep a finger in the dike.

Consumer Awakening

It is still far to predict what is the good outcome of Japan’s adopting foreign strategies once kept aside and looked down upon by the bureaucracy and management. But consumers are now gaining grounds, too, amid the series of product scandals plaguing the already weak economy. This shows positive sign in long run, though hurting of the present and also serves a constant checking mechanism of the almost-unflawed competitiveness of the nation’s products. Boycotts, picket lines, lawsuits — the usual arsenal of consumerism are rare in this country which cherishes the virtue of wa or harmony. All throughout the rise of the country, the unconscious obedience of the Japanese to the paternalism of companies and the government breezed through without dissatisfaction so widespread among the public. The country once exhorted the housewives’ gesture of buying gizmos and gadgets as a patriotism. Thus, to complain of ineffectiveness of a product is to imperil the nation. This provided the much-needed boost of the economy but the government failed to protect them with consumer laws. Companies took it for granted that consumers wouldn’t complain and even if they did, the government would be biased in the favor of companies. Now, the consumers are networking their activities and keep abreast of the developments of other organizations (internationally as well) and team up their protests effectively. Web sites of disgruntled customers are sprouting and voicing out complaints that can’t be left unheeded anymore.

Women’s Liberation

As public concern for the ailing economy reshapes the country, companies on the other hand are not investing actively, so they don’t expand, so unemployment rises, so people put off spending, so prices decline, so people save their money because they figure things will cost less tomorrow. And this is not doing any good either, the country lacks capital to finance and implement active investments. Without people taking risks and enough funding for entrepreneurs to set up new businesses, Japan’s economy will not regain its energy. They have yet to learn that they have to contribute to the pool and that risk is worthwhile if the reward is sufficient. The only active market comes from the collective consumer spending of the women on things that catches their fancy. Though related to the growing women revelation sweeping the country this movement has been vital in maintaining the economy. Women are defending their rights and standing up boldly as never before. This very deviation from what is culturally acceptable in Japan is the offshoot of the material affluence that it achieved. And there is nothing the salary man can do to prevent the women from shopping sprees, hooking to grand vacation to Europe, engaging in exotic hobbies. What is popular is what attracts the attention and cute detecting senses of the women. These have created a whole new market phenomenon known as the kawaii culture. They are increasingly spending money on themselves — buying not just the predictable cosmetics and clothes, but also cars, computers, and condominiums. In an economy stuck in a deflationary slump, the shopping women are among the few stimulants around. With greater purchasing power and say in decision making, female consumers are far more dominant than they used to be. It is obvious enough from the aura of their psychedelic looks and gravity-defying platform shoes. In effects, they are commanding a bullish attitude that stands up even against the will of their inept male counter parts. The experienced the exposures they gain from their world tours give them the unusual testosterone surge that is creeping dominance between the ranks and files of the decorporate culture. No longer do they assume office lady and tea-pourer-like jobs but rather more creative and active roles in pumping new blood in their male dominated-society.

Cheap and chic

Recession affected deeply the budget spending of the country’s new prop-up companies are mushrooming to offer better, high quality, and stylistic alternatives against the absurdly expensive stewards of the nation’s lifestyle. Symbolizing this trend is the sudden hit of Uniqlo, a garment company which has production centers in China that offers cheap, bargain-level prices for chic clothing. Globalization’s ways has advanced competition in manufacturing high-quality products at competitive prices. The consumers are now directed towards making practical choices like slightly faulty items that are essentially downtown rejects offered at very low prices. Japanese consumers are known for their brand name and logo obsession all part of the myth that something expensive is absolutely better. But with the influx of foreign discount warehouses, the public might loosen grasp of their savings and take active market participation once again. Cheap chic is challenging the Western luxury labels the Japanese came to embrace as symbols of prosperity. Slow times are forcing them to rethink old excesses, opening the doors to a plethora of discount factory outlets. All these upstarts are offering what traditional shops don’t: cheap goods and fun, the sheer thrill of unearthing a gem from a junk heap. Uniqlo is a sociological phenomenon because it symbolizes the changing attitude of the Japanese people. Roaming the streets of Japan, one can only wonder how strictly uniformed the people are. Having everybody wear the same uniform, look in the same direction, believe in the same philosophy worked in the 1960s and 70s, the era of the economic growth and mass production. Japanese people are extremely interested in how different they are from each other. They want to be a little different but hate to be very different. Most people receive the same education, read the same magazines and watch the same programs. Presently, the mood is entirely different. The youth is striking an opposite style that uniquely stands out in a crowd, in the mix of their clothes, apparel, and wacky color combinations that might seem too playful for the unsuspecting observer.

Exotic Backpacking Adventure

The apparent mission is to be perfectly apart from the rest, probably a rebellion against the bland and boring image of the salaryman. And most of the youth nowadays, totally reject the idea of dedicating one’s life to the company and adopt a rather uniform lifestyle from thereon. They are afraid of long-time commitments that will lose the sense of freedom they are enjoying and just love taking risks unlike their parents. They give rise to what is collectively known as t he generation of freeters or better known as freeta. They are described as part-timers who work when in need for money to finance the good times and luxurious material needs. They live with their parents and celebrate the rejection of the old workaholic lifestyle of the latter. Some choose this kind of lifestyle category freely that was the outcome of what is known as the Heisei Recession while some are just forced by the hard times who later appreciates the flexibility accompanied by it. They drift from job to job constantly and have no firm plans for the future. They are artists and musicians who need part-time work to support their free lifestyle and make a living. Most of them harbor very good artistic and creative inclinations, angling to be discovered and finally debut a hit sensation and instantly become a pop icon. Then continue living the same kind of lifestyle as long as money does not run out. This is life according to them who wants to reap unemployment benefits anytime. As opposed to the martyr path taken by the conventional salaryman, they approach life by working as little as possible then have all the fun for as long as possible until the money runs out. For nation who is not bounded by demanding religious obligations and generally regarded as atheistic, who cares about life anyway? Fun is the only word of mouth and nothing else. What the traditionally minded Japansese fear is the course the country will move into with this kind of slackened youth. And the figures are not doing any good at least so most graduates are hitting the books again to become more competitive, but in reality to find oneself, and one’s hopes for the future (jibun sagashi). Traditionally, companies hire graduates upon university completion for it has been taken that is the duty of the company to mold the newly-hired “family member” into what it feels will suit his lifetime career with the company providing in-house specialization training and schooling that indocritinates respect for seniority system. These days, Japanses companies are less willing to spend money training new hires and deman experties at once.

Coolture

Ask a freeta about near-future ambitions and one will probably get answers ranging from rap artists, band personalities, models, or hard-thumping, vinyl-scratching, and sound-blasting DJs. Japan’s DJ mystique is not confined to dance clubs that even entrance to “DJ schools” is deadlocked, similar to the examination hell, continually being flocked by aspiring celebrities. These new hit makers are becoming role models for Japan’s youth, cultivating a sense of rebellion and individuality among kids who are starting to look askance at their country’s group-oriented culture. A stark contrast can be pictured in this reality — but is unaware of the very fact that they are serving accomplice to the “crime” of their concerns. Who made the futuristic gadgets? Isn’t it they themselves — the salarymen who bendish of their affiliation to companies that make high-technology equipment like Sony and Toshiba. Those who are making money in the market are generally the creative companies whose products appeal to the tastes of fun-loving generation.

Educational Wars

The sorry state of the nation only intensifies the endemic competition for better education. Japan has been known to have the dreaded entrance examination hell to universities and high schools that as early as in pre-school the competition for exclusive prep schools are extended. This is due to old-age belief of the parents that success and happiness in life is determined by the education received by their children. To this, another round of pressure has been added by the education mamas, as they are called in spurring rivalry among innocent children.In effect, students are suffering, subjects from virtually everyday attendance to juku or cram schools to increase one’s chance of making it to the best schools and do good eventually in life. For such a straitjacket society, the psychological strains produced are taking its toll among the children themselves, that silent obedience to this societal pressure to conform to expectations has spurred erratic problems among the youth which is rearing its ugly heads nowadays. The rampant juvenile killings committed as efforts to release pent-up emotions and vent rage towards society is undeniable. For those who turn it inward, suicide is the way out. With little space for errors and tolerance for failure, to save one’s face may mean to voluntarily take one’s life in exaltation of the cultural values, but before committing oneself to oblivion, to take vengeance on the very society that wronged one’s self-image. Since many mothers base their worth on the performance of their children, excessive maternal attention and care are given towards the latter. Thus, the intricate bond between the mother and child is sealed in an enduring relationship which is not undue to the eternal longing for an expressive love by the husband or father in combination with some degree of financial independence.

Individualized Worlds

Another effect of the lavish treatment of the children by excessive material gifts, especially techie ones, is the detrimental confining of oneself in a virtual world, shunned completely from the realms of the outside world. It has become obvious that in almost middle-class to upper class families, technology forms a great deal of daily lives that each member becomes engaged to it in one way or another. Say for example TV, it has already done debilitating effects on some that it limits one’s social interaction and belongingness all together. In Japan, this is known as hikikomori or social withdrawal. It is a consequence of the phenomenal growth of the Japanese economy during the latter half of the 20th century and the tremendous technological progress the country made during that time. It is part of the whole raft of social problems caused by the lost of the motivating force that had built Japan as a progressive nation. The Japanese youth could not afford to be socially withdrawn were their parent not affluent enough to provide them extras beyond the basic necessities — audio and video equipment, software, mobile phones, computers, and many other technological devices to pursue. The ones affected find it extremely painful to reach out and communicate with the outside world, ad thus they turn to the tools that bring virtual reality into their close rooms.

Sailormoons in the Straitjacket Society

Alongside widespread materialism, an unprecedented growth of enjo kosai or self-prostitution for material and monetary exchange is calling the shots. What has inspired these petie, sexy, anime-looking high school girls are but boredom, money, fun, and material things. The rise of social neurosis such as murder rampage of mentally-ill persons is further shocking the public. Although, the violent crime rate remains very slow and the country still boasts of a safe environment, the string of recent bizarre murders has been raising skeptical questions of the social health of the nation. Many recent violent crimes are said to have been random, with the assailants having no apparent motive other than the need to vent rage. Lost of self-worth of many individuals is very alarming in a society which highly values reputation above all. The cultural taboo against anger itself and its obvious showing drowns the psychological sophistication to be able to distinguish between one’s emotions and actions.

Japa-yuki Phenomenon

Another breed of social problems present in developed countries are the decreasing birth rate of the population and the increasing aging of the society. Unconsciously, younger women are opting to delay marriages and with plenty of disposable cash at hand, sets on a fun-filled adventures that is damaging to the society. If not marrying late, the one-child policy is fast becoming the norm in the search for better careers. This creates constant clashes between the poles that widens the gap of understanding and tolerance between the young and old. The young wants to have some fun while being impious to some extent, for the old seems to be always standing on the way of having fun. As the democratic time bomb continue to swell while the younger Japanese continue to flock the lure of the cities, in no time, the country will suffer ultimately when the threshold of normality is reached. The exodus entails a string of consequences. Those farmers left behind the in the rural areas are experiencing difficulty in sustaining inheritance of the agricultural work and duty. The women have fled to the cities and so depleted the male farmers of lifetime partners thus creating a gender imbalance. This has led to uncanny solution of importing bride from third-world countries to balance the female demand for wives. And slowly the immigration movement has been propelled to the periphery of national attention as the country needs young, skilled workers willing to take up the dirty jobs left behind by the more ambitious generation and the freeters. The problem is that the country is ambivalent toward this policy since racist ideas of the Japanese society as being ethnically homogenous and superior will be contaminated by foreign blood still hounds in the national consciousness. It becomes hypocrisy to the extent that authorities have become lax in implementing the strict laws but neither care about changing the legislative aspects of the problem to legalize once and for all the issue of immigrant workers.

Fishing I.T. Talents

Not only is the economy sluggish, it is facing an imminent severe labor shortage enough to call for immediate support from neighboring countries. The economy is in dire need for laborers so that workers come in under all sorts of illegal operations of smuggling people. Resembling this fact, are the incessant efforts of the government in trying to pach IT professionals and experts around neighbors to help the country revitalize and direct the policies regarding this critical sector for Japan to cope up with the global trend and further not lag behind the rat race. As the IT revolution has stalled in Japan, programmers have not kept pace with advances in technology, leading to a shortage of talent with immediate and usable skills. Since Japanese vernacular is having difficulty with the English language, the dilemma posed is enough to send recruiters rather poachers scampering around to fish talent that will harness the advantage Japan already possess. The deep problems of feeble economic growth and low birthrate are very alarming that is imperative to immediately take defensive and aggressive measures against the threat of underdevelopment. It must make a definitive stance regarding open toleration and non-discrimination of foreigners and accept them without unsuspecting politeness.

Cheap Labor

Japan also faces dilemma of moving out manufacturing firms to emerging markets where the labor is much cheaper. There has been a steady construction of plants and factories across Asia. Many companies are expanding operations in places where there is cheap labor demand. It is beginning to undraw the distinct lines between those who are part of the community and the outsiders. This grasp of foreign things serves as the hope for the country’s better understanding by the world.

Ghost of the Dark Past

The scars left by the unaddressed and unreconciled aggression still haunts Japan’s foreign relations policies albeit billions of direct aid and investment is being poured to Asian neighbors. This gesture sometimes makes the benefactors feel uneasy in accepting such aid. Japan cannot think that its offers of economic incentives will make their war victims accept the historical distortions it propagates. The Japanese government still justifies their acts as an effort to liberalize Asia from Western colonization or, in the case of Korea, guide the country’s modernization. The cultural pride of Japan, as being an Oriental and this fact being publicly and condescendingly looked lowly upon by West in forms of racial discrimination, was deeply hurt and so perhaps fueled all the more their imperialistic inclinations. So the animosity continues, sparked at times by the recalcitrance on the part of the Japanese government and at the other times by the insensitivity — or nationalism — of the individual Japanese. The effect of this collective amnesia of the past as reflected in the passive narration of its history textbooks of war accounts only add injury to the damage and flares up the emotions of its neighbors. The unrepentant conviction will implicate its future relations until a sincere public apology is made. To this effect many Western scholars claim that Emperor Hirohito is the prime symbol of Japan’s repression of their wartime past. They repeatedly cling to the post-warpacifist image of Hirohito, one that was invented and packaged by the occupation forces to preserve the nation from dissolving into chaos and the imminent threat of communism. To improve its ties within the region is to call for humble acceptance of the truth.

Anime-nia

The past does not seem to matter at all for younger Asians. Maybe war-related issues are not the case for them as they devour everything from Anime to Pokemon to Sony Playstations. For them, there is no confusion about Japan’s role as the epicenter of cool. They are unhesitatingly accepting a cultural indoctrination of Japan, one that is inspired by these cool things and cure cartoon characters. Weaned on pop music, platform boots, yellow and pink hair, these kids may eventually offer the best hope for a less hostile and more nuanced view of Japan. It is easing the hurts of the past as the younger generation openly embraces Japanese coolture and futurism. The debate of whether to implicate Emperor Hirohito to war crimes and aggression does not seem to bother them in the fanatic fascination over these popular icons of Japan. But some extreme right-wingers still blindly revere the divinity of the Emperor and his ever-eternal chastity from committing mistakes.

Summary: The slow-motion devolution from economic miracle to financial debacle

The youth being exposed to the chaotic influence of the West and other countries are beginning to redefine their identity in line with the country’s traditions. What can be seen as rebellion or revolution is the wave of a tidal change sweeping not only in Japan but also across the world as each country acknowledges that interdependence is survival. They are the ones reforming the traditional value systems that once held stiffly the closed mentality of their parents in building Japan, Inc. under the pretense of uniformity, submissive obedience, and hard work ethics. They are now constantly deviating from the norms and seeking individual space to breath, relax, and have fun than ever before. This is the amalgamation of the social strains that has been unconsciously accumulated in direct proportion to the economic success attained. The effects only shored up after the country experienced a severe blow from the worst financial crisis that ever struck its titanic economy. It shattered the belief that theirs was invulnerable. The social reverberations are making headway in the deep soul-searching pit they fell into. Even in turbulent times, they want to show that happiness is still possible. They become increasingly aware of a greater freedom that has been suppressed for generations by the national goals set after the war. Thru the collapse of physical boundaries, they are seeing the limitless possibilities of fun things other young people have. They imitate them for the fear of being trapped inside the ever-predictable lives of being salarymen unless they do something radical about it. This sends goose bumps among the traditionally old which makes them afraid that the nation may lose all the glory they all laboriously put up. In recent years, more and more Japanese have been travelling the world, learning its languages, gradually embracing the Internet and globalism. Part of what makes the culture so distinctive and successful arises from its tradition of self-enclosure. Yet the coming century is not going tolerant of such divisions and will show that foreignness and interdependence are universal facts of life that need to be swallowed downright. It seems that the Japanese people have been intoxicated by their economic miracle and the euphoria of the “bubble years”.

Asians are fans of Japan’s products and unique street coolture but smooth relations are hampered by its failure to address war atrocities it committed. Many Japanese remain culturally arrogant and openly xenophobic. The message is clear for Japan, it must dismantle and change its old bureaucratic ways to survive in the 21st century and create a New Japan similar to what it had done in transforming itself after the last world war. Japanese society is caught in a paradox: it is concerned with the increase of socially withdrawn kids, while at the same time it applauds gizmos and robots. Technology inevitably fixed people in their individual spaces. In this information society, none is exempted from being somewhat socially withdrawn. But Japan must squarely face reality itself. And it should develop into a society in which each member is able to set his or her own goals and prevent itself from drowning in the tsunami of technology or else it will end up sinking even deeper into a labyrinth of confusion. The country is in need of foreigners who will blend in and add diversity to the cosmopolitan era of the nation. It must not only let them do the hard, dirty, and dangerous jobs rather assimilate them without prejudice to achieve cultural vibrancy and harmony.

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