Japan Watching: Society, Politics, Culture, Economy, Environment, And the World

Every Japanese person is convinced that their race and culture are unique.  Most Westerners would agree, although such uniqueness is considered to be more strangeness than anything else.  But most of these Westerners are American.  Herein lies the clue!

We are one of the world’s least charitable nations, if you believe the recently published World Giving Index.  We come in at 119th out of the 153 countries covered.  Amazingly, Australia and New Zealand are top of the world.  What's going on?

The Japanese have always been attracted to conspiracy theories.  One story currently doing the rounds in Japanese circles is that Japan’s never ending crisis is the product of a conspiracy involving the Rockefellers, the Rothschilds and the free masons.  Unbelievable, I know!

Many people like to compare Japan with Germany or even Britain.  Does it make sense?

The electricity that comes from lively exchanges between different people from different cultures and different disciplines can produce new ideas, new perspectives and stunning breakthroughs and innovations.  But please don’t expect that from a Japanese conference.

Go on.  Tell me.  What are your favourite pop or rock songs of Japan?

When AC/DC played its high voltage rock ‘n’ roll yesterday, the Tokyo audience was on its feet, dancing and singing along.  Many were dressed up in AC/DC inspired clothes and almost everyone wore the iconic devil’s horns.  They were not silent, passive and obedient like a typical Japanese crowd.

Japanese cooking is all the rage at the moment.  In Japan, of course.  But not only.  London, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Singapore and so on.

Is Japanese cooking really that great?  Let’s take the top off the hotpot and have a look.

We all know that the Japanese are different, but just how different really?  Some insights can be gleaned from the work of Geert Hofstede.

This was the title of a highly influential bestseller by American intellectual Ezra Vogel.  These days, Japan’s economy is no longer number one, if it ever was.  Next year it will drop back to number three, as it will be overtaken by China.

But today, the Michelin guide Tokyo 2010 to the best hotels and restaurants has declared this wonderful city to be number one!