PREFACE
The Japanese are convinced that they have come a long way in modernization and westernization since the Meiji Restoration. Compared to other Asian countries, there is a wealth of up-to-date information about the West in Japan.
However, when a Japanese is asked a question posed by a non-Japanese, it is not rare in many instances for a Japanese to cock his or her head and say, "That's something I've never thought about."
For example, when knocking on a door to someone's room, the Japanese, without even stopping to think about something that comes naturally to them, would knock twice using the knuckle of their middle fmger while Westerners would knock three or four times. The Japanese show little interest when asked why only twice and are unable to come up with an answer.
The Japanese do not question why the Chinese also knock three times. In Chinese, "Are you there? is written in three characters, Knocking three times is a form of non-language communication corresponding to the three characters. The Japanese however, are unable to give an answer to the question, "Why two times?"
In a similar vein, the Japanese refer to a green traffic light as blue. Perhaps due to this influence, there are cities where the green looks so much like blue that one is tempted to call it blue. This is perhaps due to the fact that in Japanese, there is no clear distinction between blue and green. These examples depict a subtle complexity in the questions posed by non-Japanese reflecting a cross-cultural gap. There is a great need for the Japanese, who have become modern and western in their outlook, to field questions themselves to clarify these baffling queries.
1 To Puzzling Features of Everyday life and Customs in Japan
- Q Why are New Year's cards sent in Japan?
- Q Why are gifts sent twice a year at midyear and at the year-end?
- Q Why are the numbers 4 and 9 disliked?
- Q Why are the hands clapped when praying at shrines (Shintoism) and placed together when praying at temples (Buddhism)?
- Q Why are the Japanese always so quick to pour sake into another's sake cup?
- Q In Japan why is it the women the ones who give men chocolates on Valentine's Day?
- Q Why do the Japanese all change to summer wear on June 1?
- Q Why do Japanese husbands call their wives gusai (my foolish wife)?
- Q Why can't Japanese keep dogs and/or cats in their condominiums?
- Q Why don't department stores and other retail stores close on Sundays and holidays in Japan?
- Q Why do the Japanese change to a different pair of slippers when using the lavatory?
- Q Why do the Japanese take off their shoes on the shinkansen and airplanes?
- Q Why isn't the kimono worn more often?
- Q Why are there more bookstores than libraries in Japan?
- Q Why is a cup of coffee at coffee shops so expensive?
- Q Why is Beethoven's Symphony No.9 played at the end of the year?
- Q Why are purchases wrapped so nicely at stores in Japan?
- Q Why do cars keep to the left side of the street and pedestrians to the right?
2 Puzzling Manners and Behavior of the Japanese
- Q Why do many men urinate in the open in Japan?
- Q Why don't people in Japan eat while walking?
- Q Why do Japanese women cover their mouth with their hand when they laugh?
- Q Why do the Japanese eat so fast?
- Q Why do the Japanese slurp when eating?
- Q Why do the Japanese point to their nose when referring to themselves?
- Q Why do Japanese often sleep on trains?
- Q Why don't the Japanese look the other person in the eye when speaking?
- Q Why aren't presents opened in front of the giver?
- Q Why is money always wrapped when given?
- Q Why is laundry hung outside to dry?
- Q Why don't the Japanese invite people over to their homes?
- Q Why aren't the elderly offered seats?
- Q Why are there still many Japanese who can't quit smoking?
- Q Why are the inside of homes kept clean but public places kept dirty?
- Q Why are there so many love hotels in Japan?
- Q Why are pornographic literature and alcoholic drinks sold in vending machines?
3 Puzzling Tastes of the Japanese
- Q Why are the Japanese fond of onsen (hot springs)?
- Q Why do the yakuza like to be tattooed?
- Q Why do the Japanese like to read books on trains?
- Q Why aren't people embarrassed to be reading comics at their age?
- Q Why are time and money spent on learning how to drink tea?
- Q Why are pornographic newspapers and magazines read on trains?
- Q Why are the Japanese so attracted to brand names?
- Q Why are the Japanese such gourmets?
- Q Why do the Japanese like to adopt foreign words into their language?
- Q Why is the cherry blossom (sakura) cherished?
4 The Puzzling Character of the Japanese
- Q Why can't the Japanese say no?
- Q Why do the Japanese exaggerate their greetings?
- Q Why are the Japanese quick ask personal questions?
- Q Why don't the Japanese complain about the high prices?
- Q Why are drunks tolerated?
- Q Why are Japanese mothers overly soft on their children?
- Q Why do the Japanese put up with all the noise at election time?
- Q Why are the Japanese so interested in hearing about what non-Japanese think about Japan?
- Q Why are the Japanese so honest in returning lost articles?
- Q Why do the Japanese work so hard?
- Q Why do the Japanese want to take up what the others are doing?
- Q Why do the Japanese want to group personalities according to blood types?
- Q Why is managing the family budget left entirely to the wife?
- Q Why are the Japanese so surprised to see non-Japanese use chopsticks?
- Q Why are people complimented on having big ears?
- Q Why are there so few overweight Japanese?
- Q Why do the Japanese live so long?
- Q Why are double teeth considered charming?
- Q Why do Japanese comedians slap and hit their partner?
- Q Why don't Japanese doctors tell patients the truth?
- Q Why are so few organ transplants carried out in Japan?
- Q Why do fashion magazines use foreign models?
- Q Why can't idol singers appearing on TV sing?
- Q Why are announcements made at stations and on trains such a nuisance?
- Q Why are the Japanese police such gentlemen?
- Q Why are elevator girls necessary?
5 Puzzling Features of the Company in Japan
- Q Why does academic background count in employment and in promotions?
- Q Why can't Japanese workers take long vacations?
- Q Why don't companies make more use of women workers?
- Q Why do some companies require only women employees to wear uniforms?
- Q Why can't work proceed without nemawashi in Japanese companies?
- Q Why do the Japanese call the other by title?
- Q Why are business cards necessary at work?
6 Puzzling Features of the Japanese School System
- Q Why are there so many constricting regulations in Japanese schools?
- Q Why are classes in Japanese elementary schools so large?
- Q Why does the new school year in Japan begin in April?
- Q Why do many students attend cram schools?
- Q What accounts for the proliferation of clubs at Japanese universities?
- Q Why is it possible to graduate from Japanese universities without studying?
- Q Why can't the way English is taught in Japan produce people who can use English?
- Q Why is calligraphy taught in schools using a brush when people no longer write with brushes anymore?
- Q Why do the Japanese sometimes cry at graduation?
- Q Why do Japanese students let their parents pay for all of their college expenses?
7 Puzzling Features of Weddings and Funerals in Japan
- Q Why are weddings held at churches or shrines and funerals at temples?
- Q Why are weddings not held on certain days?
- Q Why do the Japanese all wear black to funerals and weddings?
- Q Why are so many speeches made at wedding receptions?
- Q Why does it cost so much to hold a wedding?
- Q Why do many Japanese couples go on a honeymoon with a tour group?
- Q Why aren't weddings held at temples?
- Q Why aren't funerals held at shrines?
- Q Why are memorial services held a number of times after a funeral?
- Q Why can priests marry?
- Q Why do the Japanese have omiai even when they are still quite young?