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...]