During the bubble economy of the 1980s, the Japanese gained an international reputation as voracious shoppers, hypnotised by brands, fastidious to the nth degree about quality, and oblivious to price. The tightening of purse strings and hesitation to spend resulting from the economic downturn (fukeiki) of the next two decades led to the emergence of a new retail phenomenon in Japan: discounting. This trend was also helped along by external pressure, especially from the United States, for a greater opening up of the retail sector, with icons of American grand-scale retailing, such as Toys R … [Read more...]
Sexual Mores
Historically, Japanese society exhibited an open attitude to sex, viewing it generally as being just one of a number of normal bodily functions, like eating and drinking, and a natural part of everyday life. The most sought after women as wives were those with sturdy bodies, best suited to child-bearing as well as working in the fields. Physical beauty wasn’t a major consideration. Procreation was an important reason for couples to have sex, and with communal bathing being common, there was no prudishness or shamefulness about the human body. Although the Jesuits and Christian missionaries … [Read more...]
Families
Up to the post-war period the husband was socially and legally the head of the household, as well as being responsible for the welfare of all members. The eldest son took over this role, and its prestige, once the father retired. The son’s wife was at the lowest level within the household. Over the decades since, there have been legal changes and a substantial watering-down of these previously strictly adhered to roles within the family (kazoku). However, it’s still common for the eldest son, or the son if only one, to inherit the family home and with it the responsibility of looking after … [Read more...]
Stages of Life
In Japan a person’s age is determined two ways: firstly, in the usual way, by number of years; secondly, in relative terms, in relation to older or younger siblings and peers. In the family, from kindergarten through to university, then at work and any clubs or other organsations joined, a person is always junior or senior to others, sempai and kohai. In the family this positioning is by age, but elsewhere it can be by age or related to timing of joining. In all cases the older sibling, the earlier joiner, and the more senior person is treated as being in a superior position, so that no … [Read more...]
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