what are the roots of japanese cultural arrogance?

Question

let me say i admire many things about japan, and i have liked and found all the japanese i have met so far to be polite.
i like zen
manga
haiku
japanese gardens
interior design.
however in some of the literature i have read by westerners of their experiences in japan, i have gathered that the japanese are the most difficult culture to join and become one of. and that this is because of a deep seated racial pride that excludes all foreigners to the extent that you can never truly belong and be one of them unless you are racially japanese.
i just thought id float my question to see if this is substantiated by others, but judging by the replies, most people admire the japanese greatly.

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I FIND IT EXTREMELY ANNOYING WHEN SOMEONE MAKES A CRITICIM OF A POST OF MINE, WHEN THEY DONT HAVE AN EMAIL TO CONTACT, SO I CANT CLARIFY A
POINT OR RESPOND TO THEIR CRITICISM.
WHO ELSE WANTS TO STRANGLE THESE PEOPLE?

Answer 1

Hi,
Having stayed in Japan I have a number of observations to offer, which may help to understand the Japanese attitude.
First of all I was struck by a number of similarities between England and Japan; we are both warrior nations, both small Islands situated on the edge of the mainland. We both had huge empires.

In one way the Japanese are similar to the English in 1950s conservative, deference to elders, and having a strong work ethic

There are also big deference; English people are like trees in a forest, each pushing out to create their own space, the Japanese like stalks of corn in a field, each having their allotted space and happy with it. They are in love with their culture, which may come across as arrogance and whilst the English are too to a degree they are more self-critical than the Japanese.

For the Japanese the good of the firm or club is more important than the good of the individual. So, different from England.

Japaneses tend to believe in a correct way of doing everything, thus there are guide to the correct way to chat up girls (Nampa? I forget), which are reminiscent of the correct way in origami. They are a very polite people, but the politeness appears to come from away of doing things not from genuine warm.

Of course this is an over-simplification and a gross generalisation don't take it to seriously.

Answer 2

I think they have a very good culture. Arrogant? I don't think so at all. Actually, most of time the appear humble. If you insult them or their family that's a different story. In the business they are rash, but if met eye to eye they are fair.

The Japanese are amazing warriors, this is true. For a tiny island, they sure have made a heck of an impact on the world. Once again supporting the arugment, "quality over quanity".

Answer 3

The country was on an Island by itself. Another possible reason they have this perceived "arrogance" is that they were one of the few countries in the word that didn't sign a humiliating trade treat like China. It was not colonized by European powers as India and Pakistan were. They have a sense over other Asians because they ruled over Korea and Taiwan, among other countries during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Answer 4

This certainly is a question that need much elaboration and explanation with examples....

Many Japanese people simply adore western culture, US and European included. That's why most of TV and media commercials feature western actors and actresses. That's why many t-shirts feature (barely legible) English writings on them.

What exactly are you talking about when you say "arrogance?"

EDIT

Now you explained your original question, I can answer with some substance.

What you see as "arrogance" is actually a reverse of uniqueness of United States. That is, in US, because we are so mixture of every culture, it is so easy to "one of us." In fact, there are no difference, other than a piece of paper (called citizenship) that separates one of us from one of them.

NOT SO in rest of the worlds. Japan in particular has been isolated for so long and isolated geographically, the people are so homogeneous. The difference from US to THEM is very clear.

You'll find this to be true in many countries. You will never be truly one of them, even after living there for so many years. I think you are spoiled by the open-ness of US and failing to understand the world culture in general.

Answer 5

The Japanese culture is far more refined that the Europeans and definitely have better manners.maybe the Europeans should take some lessons.

Answer 6

Hello I agree with you!!! but, I still wonder how we always hear all other history about Japanese attacking other races and I want to know there history because how did they except outside influence because of the technology and they were alliance to the Germans even in the time of Hitler and they don't believe it but they are part Chinese because of Japanese weather they like to admit it

Answer 7

Distance from the rest of the world. They live on an island - at the far end of the earth, therefore their own culture - not like any other.

Answer 8

not sure I get the question

However, if you mean superiority

they get that from being a culture of warriors
nothing better in this world then the mind of a feudalistic society.

This is why we dropped a bomb on them.
Had we not, The Japanese would surely have given us a run for our money, which they did....
Hence we nuked them...

Japanese are true warriors dont forget that.

Answer 9

Didn't America send battleships into Japan 150 years ago to make them trade with us?

Japan is kewl. Leave 'em alone.

Answer 10

All cultures are arrogant. The whole reason people follow any culture is because they believe that culture is superior. Who would want to be part of a inferior culture?