Japan Essay Research Paper IntroductionJapan is a

Japan Essay, Research Paper

Introduction

Japan is a country located in the southeast region of Asia. It lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. The current population is estimated at 126.6 million people. The capital city, Tokyo, houses 7.9 million people. Other major cities include Kobe, Nogoya, and Yokohama. The city of Nagano was host to the 1998 Winter Olympics. The only atomic bombs used in war fell upon the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Mt. Fuji, with an altitude of 12,388 feet, lies in the center of this county. North and South Korea lie west of Japan and Russia to the North. Japan is a democracy, which is lead by an Emperor. This overlook of Japan will include Language, Religion, Values, Beliefs, and Business. It will also mention some key aspects of The Constitution of Japan, also known as The National Diet.

Language

The Japanese language is believed to be linked to Korean and Altaic languages. The Altaic language family consists of Turkish, Mongolian, and Manchu languages. Many people believe Chinese and Japanese speak the same language, however, Chinese is a completely different language. The pronunciation and grammar are also different, and Japanese people cannot understand or speak Chinese unless they have studied it. The Japanese language was originally very limited. In the 3rd century AD, a large number of Chinese words were incorporated into the language. The original Chinese pronunciation has since been modified considerably.

The Japanese language has a simple phonology, consisting of only five vowels which is translated as a, I, u, e, and o; and of nineteen consonants, which are translated as k, s, sh, t, ch, ts, n, h, f, m, y, r, w, g, z, j, d, b, and p.

The Japanese writing system is very complicated. It consists of three different character sets: Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana. Kanji consists of several thousands of Chinese characters. The Hiragana and Katakana are two syllable based alphabets of 46 characters each. Japanese text can be written in two ways, vertically, from right to left, or horizontally, from top to bottom. Although vertically is the traditional style, both exist side by side.

Religion

Shinto and Buddhism are the two major religions of Japan. These religions are not mutually exclusive. It is believed that Shinto is for this life and Buddhism is for the afterlife. There is also a Christianity influence. Estimates of the number of Christians vary from less than 1 to 3 percent of the total population. However, religion is not an important factor in the every day life of the Japanese. It is not uncommon for a Japanese person to pray for luck at shrines, marry in a Protestant church, and have a Buddhist funeral ceremony.

Buddhism originated in India in the 6th century BC. It consists of the teachings of the Buddha, Gautama Siddhartha. Buddhists believe that human life is full of suffering due to worldly desires, illness, death, and the loss of loved ones. One can achieve the state of Nirvana and escape suffering and the circle of reincarnation by getting rid of desires and attachments. Today, nearly 90 million people consider themselves Buddhists in Japan. Funerals are usually carried out in the Buddhist way.

Shinto (the way of the gods) is the indigenous faith and is as old as the Japanese people. Shinto is very deeply rooted in the Japanese people and their traditions. Shinto does not have a founder, sacred scriptures (bible), or propaganda and preaching. People believing in Shinto worship objects called Kami. The Kami are sacred spirits and can take various forms such as natural elements like wind, trees, mountains, and the sun, or abstract things like national heroes, ancestors, and fertility. However, there is a most important goddess, the Sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami.

Shinto believes that all humans are fundamentally good and that spirits causes all evil. Rituals are mainly held to avoid evil spirits by purification, offerings, and prayer. Many people seek guidance from Shinto by visiting shrines to pray for good fortune and to avoid evil spirits especially before special events. The majority of weddings are held in Shinto style.

Values and Beliefs

Contemporary Japan is a secular society. Harmony, order, and self-development are three of the most important values that underlie Japanese social interaction. Japan relies on social sanctions and emphasizes the benefits of harmony.

From the very beginning, Japanese children learn that human fulfillment comes from close association with others. Children also learn early to recognize that they are part of an interdependent society beginning in the family and later extending to larger groups such as a neighborhood, school, community, and workplace. Dependence on others is viewed negatively only when the social obligations it creates are too distressing to fulfill.

Most Japanese tend to avoid open competition and confrontation. Wa, the notion of harmony within a group, requires an attitude of cooperation and recognition of social roles. Success can come only if all put forth their best, individual efforts.

Education System

Japan has a well-structured educational system, largely due to the standardization of learning materials and subject matter. The Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture in Japan sets the cur

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