Living in Japan provides you with an opportunity that most Americans are not afforded. We have been given the gift of experiencing another culture not for just a week or two while on vacation, but for years. For my family it will be at least 4 years (we have contemplated staying longer). When arriving in Japan my husband was very concerned that the family would experience culture shock. While he had traveled extensively with his career, the family had not. We were moving from a low-synergy society in the United States, plus we lived in a military community to a high synergy society and not everyone wants us here.
After 2 years in Japan I can say that this is one of the most wonderful places I have ever lived. Everything from the food to the people is absolutely amazing. On the very long trip over, with 3 children in tow, we were treated with nothing but kindness. The flight attendants were “benevolent, helpful, friendly and generous” (Moran, Anderson & Moran, 2014, p. 267) to everyone. To the point where we observed a mother who was traveling alone with her baby, the attendants went as far to hold the baby while she ate, provide a special meal for the child before the main meal was served and even hold him while she used the restroom.
After arriving we chose to enroll our youngest in an International school off the military base instead of the base schools. The fostering of team work and that those of all levels will perform the same task for the greater good is evident in the school as well as in our observations during our drive to work and school each day. The school system has an hour and a half lunch, which by American standards is absurd. The base run school here have a 20-minute lunch and a 20-minute recess. We loved the idea of our children actually being able to enjoy eating their lunch, what we learned about lunch time in Japan was even more exhilarating. During their hour and a half lunch the children first have lunch, followed by a period of cleaning the school. Once they have ALL completed their assigned cleaning tasks then they are able to spend the remainder of the lunch period on “break”. Thankfully, we had already fostered the children joining us in housework at home so this wasn’t too alien to them, however, I can imagine for many children of ages 6 or 7, it would be.
You also see this amazing team leadership as you drive to work each morning. Drive by the construction workers and you see them doing a morning stretch or warm up followed by a morning meeting. Watching them all in unison following their leader’s direction (“lead by example” (Moran, Anderson, & Moran, 2014, p. 290)), smiles on their faces and plastic flowers in pots by the door steps. Drive by the bank and you will see the employees, often in full suits, out with a broom and a dustpan sweeping up, or watering the flower beds. Everyone working together with one common goal, one vision in mind.
Another factor that will make it so difficult to leave Japan is the low crime rate. There are no guns in citizen hands in Japan. The police officers carry a small hand gun, which is very rarely used. Children as young as 6 years of age walk themselves to school, picking up classmates along the way. The roadways are marked with a green stripe along the routes that are frequented by many children walking. There are even volunteers in yellow vests (typically retirees) who assist with ensuring the younger children safely cross the street, some are placed as far as 7 blocks from the school.
We have become almost terrified of the culture shock that our children will have when we do return to the United States. At this point they are so accustomed to a high-synergy society we are unsure how they will react to our first few weeks in the United States. Even I struggled during just a two-week trip back. When leaving the plane for a transfer in San Francisco I inquired to an airport employee asking which direction the international terminal was. I was brashly informed, “Can’t you read, the sign is right above you!”. I was so taken aback and quickly reminded myself, I was no longer in Japan.
Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V. (2014). Managing cultural differences (9th ed.). London: Routledge.
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