Social Landscape

Country of Contrasts

Political Landscape

History

Social Landscape

Japanese popular culture not only reflects the attitudes and concerns of the present but also provides links to the past. Many themes and styles of popular films, television programs, comics, and music are developed from older artistic and literary traditions. Contemporary forms of pop culture, like the traditional forms, provide entertainment and escape from the problems of an industrial world for contemporary Japanese.

Japanese enjoy many leisure activities like excursions to parks, hiking, or shopping. Japan is often viewed as a hard-working society with little time for pleasure but Japanese seek entertainment wherever they can.

From infancy, Japanese are influenced by strong social interdependence. In fact, Japanese human development can be seen as gradual mastery of an ever-expanding circle of social life: first the family, then the school and neighborhood as children grow and learn their roles as inferior and superior. Socialization continues as the individual learns to be, for example, a section chief, a parent-teacher association member, or a grandparent. Japanese identify themselves as part of a group.

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Country of Contrasts

Japan is a country of contrasts. It combines frenetic cities and serene temples; mind-numbing crowds and contemplative landscapes. It is the land of both the sublime tea ceremony and the sweaty Sumo wrestler. In Japan, business managers regiment their life to the country's highly disciplined corporate culture, yet spend their evenings crooning pop tunes at karaoke bars.

There is one place, however, where Japan has lost its balance -- cost. This obviously affects the cost of missions in Japan. You know a country is expensive when a cup of coffee costs US$4. Real estate is so expensive that a US$1,000 bill lying on the ground could not purchase the land underneath it. A McDonald's meal for four will cost about US$30, and you'll be happy to have found such a bargain Fortunately, many of the most interesting sights are free. For a mind-bending cultural experience, take a walk through a shopping arcade on a Friday night or watch a Japanese "rockabilly" performance in the park. A more traditional and equally inexpensive view of Japan? Stop by a temple to gain understanding of the spiritual climate that missionaries face.

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Political Landscape

Politically, Japan is a modern, thriving democracy with an imperial tradition. The Japanese take great pride in being "unique," but much is selectively borrowed -- from the Chinese written language in the 6th century AD to US semiconductors in the late 20th century. Japan has limited raw materials but is highly urban and industrial, an economic power with vast export markets. Farming interests exert a strong influence on the political process and on party trade policies.

Japan is rich, first among major industrial nations in per capita gross national product. The Japanese consumer benefits most from the availability of compact, sophisticated consumer products that are popular exports. Living standards in Japan are comparable to those of the world's wealthiest economies.

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History

660 BC: According to tradition, Japan is founded by Jimmu, a descendant of the sun goddess. Tradition also holds Jimmu is an ancestor of the emperor.

AD 500: Historians date Japan's beginnings when the Yamato priest/chiefs established control over most of the main island.

AD 500-800: Japan is greatly influenced by China, borrowing Chinese forms of Buddhism, government and written language, then changing them to make them "Japanese". Shoguns, or military generals begin to grow in power at the expense of the emperor, leading to a feudal system that lasted until the 19th century.

12th century: Shoguns fight each other leaving the country exhausted and ripe for invasion. The Mongols under Kubla Khan try to take advantage of this, launching a naval attack that was destroyed by a typhoon (the Japanese called this kamikaze or divine wind).

16th century: First Europeans arrive, introducing guns and Christianity to the island.

17th century: Japan has enough of guns and Christianity, and closes itself off from the outside world. Only the Dutch are allowed to trade with Japan, and they were confined to a small island nearby.

1853: American naval commodore Matthew Perry arrives with a squadron of warships, and forces the emperor to reopen trade. The last shogun resigned a few years later, and Emperor Meiji assumed control of the country. During Meiji's reign, Japan was transformed from a backward isolationist country to one of the world's leading powers.

1905: Japan's colonial ambitions lead to the annexing of Korea.

1930: Japan invades Manchuria.

1941: Japan bombs Pearl Harbor on December 7th, bringing the United States into World War II.

1942: Battle of Midway turns the tide against Japan after an amazing string of victories. The rest of the war was a slow and bloody battle to retake what Japan had captured in the first six months of the war.

August 1945: The USA drops the world's first atomic bomb followed shortly by a second. Six days later, the Japanese surrender. The country is occupied by the Allies for the next five years, during which time Japan began what can only be described as an economic miracle. The country is transformed from an exhausted, occupied nation into an economic powerhouse in just a few decades. Today Japan remains a driving force in the world economy.

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