Understanding Collectivism and Harmony for Foreign Expatriates in Japan

Japan is known for its unique cultural values and traditions, one of which is the emphasis on collectivism and harmony. For expatriates living in Japan, understanding these values is essential in building meaningful relationships and successfully adapting to the culture. Let's explore the concepts of collectivism and harmony in Japanese culture, and how these values affect the daily lives of Japanese people.

Shudanshugi: The Group Orientation

Shudanshugi, or "group orientation," is the opposite of individualistic orientation and is a key aspect of collectivism in Japanese culture. It's the opposite of European and North American countries that have more individualistic cultures. In a group-oriented social model, the group is considered more important than the individual, and individuals are expected to adjust their behavior and thinking to the group's needs. This model can be seen in all aspects of Japanese life, from family and community groups to corporate and educational networks. This group orientation is one of the reasons people would "sacrifice" their own freedom and wear a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic. In more individualistic oriented countries people prioritized their own freedom to wear a mask or not over the greater good for the group.

The Benefits of Group Orientation

Being part of a group provides individuals with a sense of identity and security, but also comes with obligations and a long-term commitment to the group. The ease of cooperation between individuals is also a significant advantage of the collectivistic approach, as the group is built on trust and long-term relationships. Additionally, the social model encourages honesty, as stepping out of line will result in immediate punishment from the group, ensuring that everyone adheres to the social norms.

The Drawbacks of Group Orientation

However, group orientation can also have negative effects, such as peer pressure, which can be extremely high, leading people to conform to group norms for the sake of peace and harmony. This can result in a lack of creativity and discourage people from thinking outside the box. The saying "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down" exemplifies the pressure placed on individuals to conform to group norms and avoid standing out from the crowd.

The Importance of Wa

The concept of harmony, or wa, is another important aspect of Japanese culture. This value originates from both Confucianism and Buddhism, which were introduced to Japan from China. The word wa can be translated as "harmony," but it carries a deeper meaning in Japanese culture. The concept of wa is a fundamental aspect of Japanese society, shaping the way people interact with each other and approach different aspects of life.

Conflict Avoidance in Daily Life

It is the reason for conflict avoidance in both social and corporate life, promoting peace and stability in society. For expatriates living in Japan, understanding the concept of wa can help in building strong relationships and avoiding conflicts in daily life. It also explains why it can be challenging to have a group discussion where people freely express their opinions.

What to Do as an Expat in Japan

Of course, there is no "one size fits all" or magic bullet. However, there are three things that help:

1. Be mindful of the environment you are in. Even foreign companies in Japan can sometimes be more "Japanese" in culture than the regional or global HQ. It is often a blend and it is important to keep the local cultural context in mind.

2. Ask for opinions, comments and feedback in private instead of group settings. Some people might feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts in a one-on-one setting as opposed to a group meeting. Language barriers can also be a hurdle and some Japanese team members might not feel comfortable sharing in a fast paced meeting that is held in English.

3. If it is a group setting, explain to people in advance what will be discussed and what is expected. It can also help to leave the "virtual" room to let the people discuss without a manager in the room so they can speak freely and have one person share the results of the discussions on behalf of the group.

The two concepts of group-orientation and harmony are fundamental to Japanese culture but being mindful and aspiring to understand them can make a substantial difference in the effectiveness of an expat in Japan.

One last thing to note is that expatriates in Japan often primarily deal with senior members of the organization. A lot of them have overseas experience, studied and lived overseas and might be more "westernized". We will cover that in our next article.