Why is Japan so damn good?

Damn good at what? At raping the Chinese and trying to take over the world and then making the world forget about this by eternally playing the victim bc they were bombed?

High value placed on hard work and efficiency, and they don’t handicap themselves with failed western ideas such as diversity and inclusion. They get a pass for being “racist” because they got blown to smithereens by the evil and bad US almost a century ago.

Three decades of economic stagnation?

Declining birth rate and population?

Japan cannot attract enough workers from SE Asia because the wage gap has become smaller.

There is no word for "right" in Japanese (as in First Amendment Rights). The closest word in Japanese is the word for "duty". Japanese society has a very strong collective spirit. When people see themselves as part of a larger fabric of a society, they tend to have societies that are more cohesive and egalitarian. Same goes for the Nordic countries.

Mostly the result of strict gun control.

White foreigners scorned behind their backs. Non-white foreigners scorned openly.

High cost of food promotes healthier eating and lower healthcare costs.

Precious Roy wrote:

There is no word for "right" in Japanese (as in First Amendment Rights). The closest word in Japanese is the word for "duty". Japanese society has a very strong collective spirit. When people see themselves as part of a larger fabric of a society, they tend to have societies that are more cohesive and egalitarian. Same goes for the Nordic countries.

So what are the Article 10 through 40, especially 16, 19, 20, 21 and 23? Yeah, I know it was drafted by the GHQ lawyers, but they did not have to invent the concept out of nothing? The word for "rights" (ken-ri) had existed in Japan since late 19th century.

On the other hand, the US Constitution does not have anything like Articles 25 through 28. Having socio-economic rights in the constitution is a global standard, but of course, the United States of America is proud of its exceptionalism. ;)

not very old sac joaquin guy wrote:

High value placed on hard work and efficiency, and they don’t handicap themselves with failed western ideas such as diversity and inclusion. They get a pass for being “racist” because they got blown to smithereens by the evil and bad US almost a century ago.

And they live on an island, easy to control who they allow to come into their country.

Just Another Hobby Jogger wrote:

Three decades of economic stagnation?

Declining birth rate and population?

Japan cannot attract enough workers from SE Asia because the wage gap has become smaller.

The whole planet would benefit from having Japan’s birthrate.

Dennis Lukes wrote:

Second highest life expectancy in the world.

Almost no foreigners.

Hard work, honor and loyalty, the most important things for them.

Almost no crime.

haha obviously you have never lived in japan, nor know a japanese person/expat actually willing to open up about the issues in their own country. is keeping one's mouth shut a "duty" to "honor" your "loyalty"? don't believe what you're told off the cuff so blindly...

The Globalism we use worldwide today for trade, diplomacy, and exchange, was invented in Sakai in the 14th Century A.D. In the 1920's Japan spread Globalism across East Asia and China. By the 1950's the entire world adopted Globalism. Hope this helps.

the big joke about Japan, and I think this is mostly true of China too, is the seniority pecking-order culture. You have to pay your dues to do anything.

You can see this on their TV shows, who is in charge, who has to show deference. I saw how deep it runs when their famous comedian Yamazaki wanted to try a new style of comedy and had to serve a 1 year apprenticeship from the style's master, when he was easily good enough to do it right away.

This is a drawback for those who value merit-based achievement.

High Fidelity wrote:

Damn good at what? At raping the Chinese and trying to take over the world and then making the world forget about this by eternally playing the victim bc they were bombed?

Not relevant in 2020, but yeah they did do this.

So, just as there is no Mafia in the U.S. there is no Yokuza in Japan?

Been there in my navy days, a whole other level of self respect and honor. Not as many low caliber people as we see other places.

They believe the Emperor, Gods, Spirits, Ancestors are in you heart, soul, trees, oceans, forests, flowers, etc and that they are present every where at all times of the day where ever you go in the universe and over time. Indigenous Peoples beliefs.

Due to Historic East-West split Japanese think of taxes as a loose obligation. The governments don't enforce laws and regulations that much. Corporations, People don't report most income. They pay according to unwritten custom.

Dennis Lukes wrote:

Second highest life expectancy in the world.

Almost no foreigners.

Hard work, honor and loyalty, the most important things for them.

Almost no crime.

We have a Great Work Ethic in the USA, We can easily teach Honor and Loyalty from 1st Grade, We need to teach Morals, Ethics and Principles and the 10 Commandments should be in ALL Schools and places of Work. Teach things like Thou Shalt not kill, Thou Shalt not steal, Judging by all the happy faces of people looting, they probably think stealing is a fun thing just don't get caught, I can't believe how badly the USA has fallen, we got to do better, right now I would say Japanese on average behave better than Americans, And I am an American saying that, It Is Sad, I agree we should Emulate Japan in lots of ways.

up the ante wrote:

White foreigners scorned behind their backs. Non-white foreigners scorned openly.

High cost of food promotes healthier eating and lower healthcare costs.

Very true. Most white foreigners think they are loved but in reality they are considered sub-human.