Why Japanese is polite?

I heard sometimes many foreign travelers to Japan said Japanese people are polite. I have heard this on YouTube and other platforms. I had not noticed that myself until it was pointed out, but it made me curious. Perhaps it is because politeness is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, from the way people greet each other to the meticulous attention to detail in customer service. It could also be the result of societal norms that emphasize respect and consideration for others. Whatever the reason, it is interesting to see how visitors perceive the Japanese way of life.

I would like to explain this point by incorporating my own views along with the answer I received from ChatGPT.
I will add this.I am not an expert in this field. I am an ordinary Japanese person.

Culture of Shame and Culture of Guilt

In addressing the question of why Japanese people are polite, the keyword is ‘shame’ in the context of Japanese culture. Understanding this concept in comparison to Western culture can deepen our understanding.

1. Culture of Shame(Japanses): This concept refers to societies where social behavior is heavily influenced by the fear of shame and the desire to maintain honor and reputation. In such cultures, individuals are motivated to conform to social norms to avoid public disgrace.
2. Culture of Guilt(Western cultures): This concept refers to societies where social behavior is influenced by an internal sense of guilt and the desire to adhere to moral or ethical standards. In such cultures, individuals are motivated to act according to their conscience and personal sense of right and wrong.

These concepts were popularized by the American anthropologist Ruth Benedict in her book “The Chrysanthemum and the Sword,” published in 1946. She used these terms to describe the differences between Japanese and Western cultures, with Japan being characterized as a culture of shame and the West as a culture of guilt.

In Christian-influenced cultures, the concept of shame exists, but it is often understood differently compared to Japan. Western societies, particularly those influenced by Christianity, tend to emphasize guilt rather than shame.

• Guilt is an internal feeling of remorse for violating personal or divine moral standards. It is often associated with individual responsibility and repentance.
• Shame, on the other hand, is more external and related to social judgment and dishonor. It often arises from how others perceive one’s actions.

In Japan, shame (恥, haji) is deeply tied to group harmony and maintaining social order, making it a “shame culture” (shame as a social regulator). Conversely, Christian societies are often described as “guilt cultures”, where internal conscience and accountability to God or moral principles are central.

However, both concepts can overlap. Western cultures also experience shame in cases of public exposure or humiliation, but the emphasis on personal guilt tends to dominate moral and ethical thinking.

the culture of shame in Japan significantly influences Japanese people’s politeness and sense of etiquette.

In Japanese society, maintaining harmony and avoiding behaviors that could bring shame to oneself or others are highly valued. This emphasis on social harmony (和, wa) and avoiding embarrassment (恥, haji) encourages individuals to be considerate, respectful, and mindful of others’ feelings.

Politeness in Japan is often expressed through language (敬語, keigo), formal gestures, and adherence to social rules. People strive to avoid causing discomfort or offense, as such actions could lead to personal shame or damage to their reputation.

The culture of shame plays a central role in fostering the high level of politeness and etiquette for which Japanese people are known.

What are the roots of Japan’s culture of shame?

The roots of Japan’s culture of shame can be traced back to ancient traditions, social structures, and religious influences.

1. Confucianism – Introduced from China, Confucian values emphasized social harmony, respect for hierarchy, and fulfilling one’s role within a group. These principles encouraged maintaining proper behavior to avoid bringing shame to oneself, one’s family, or the community.
2. Shintoism – As Japan’s indigenous religion, Shintoism values purity and harmony with nature and society. It emphasizes avoiding actions that could disrupt harmony, reinforcing the importance of maintaining a good reputation and avoiding shame.
3. Buddhism – Buddhism, which spread to Japan around the 6th century, teaches self-discipline, mindfulness, and the concept of karma. It further instilled the idea of personal responsibility and the consequences of one’s actions, reinforcing a sense of moral accountability.
4. Feudal Society – During Japan’s feudal era, particularly under the samurai code (Bushido), honor and loyalty were paramount. Disgrace or failure often resulted in ritual suicide (seppuku) to restore honor, highlighting the deep connection between shame and personal integrity.

These cultural and historical influences collectively shaped Japan’s shame-based culture, emphasizing group harmony, social expectations, and maintaining one’s honor in society.

Focusing on the religious aspect

The primary difference between Japan’s shame culture and the guilt culture of Christian-influenced societies lies in how moral behavior is regulated and how individuals respond to wrongdoing.

Key Differences Between Shame Culture and Guilt Culture

Source of Morality:

• Japan: External judgment by society.
• Christian cultures: Internal judgment by conscience or God.

Focus:

• Japan: Avoiding public shame and maintaining social harmony.
• Christian cultures: Seeking forgiveness and redemption for personal sins.

Response to Wrongdoing:

• Japan: Apology, compensation, or actions to restore honor.
• Christian cultures: Confession, repentance, and seeking absolution.

While both systems emphasize ethical behavior, Japan’s approach prioritizes collective harmony, whereas Christian cultures emphasize personal morality and spiritual accountability.

In Japan, there is generally less emphasis on a religious sense of responsibility to a divine being compared to Christian-influenced cultures.

While Christianity emphasizes accountability to God as the ultimate moral authority, Japan’s traditional religions—Shinto and Buddhism—focus more on harmony with society and spiritual balance rather than strict obedience to a deity.

1. Shintoism – Japan’s indigenous religion emphasizes purity, respect for nature, and maintaining harmony with the spirits (kami). Instead of a sense of sin against a divine being, Shinto promotes avoiding actions that might disturb the balance or bring dishonor.
2. Buddhism – Buddhism in Japan teaches self-discipline, mindfulness, and the consequences of actions (karma). Morality is more focused on self-awareness and avoiding suffering rather than seeking forgiveness from a divine authority.

Because of these influences, Japan’s moral framework is more social and communal, rooted in relationships with others rather than accountability to a single, all-powerful god. Shame in Japan arises from violating social expectations or losing face, whereas guilt in Christian cultures often stems from breaking divine laws or disappointing God.

However, this does not mean that Japan lacks spirituality or ethical values. Instead, morality is enforced through social expectations and cultural traditions rather than religious doctrine.

The sun is always watching.

In terms of responsibility to a deity, Japan’s ‘Otentousama ga miteiru’ might correspond to that.

The phrase ‘Otentousama ga miteiru’ translates to “The sun is watching” or “The sun is always watching.” This expression is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and ethics. It personifies the sun as a deity, suggesting that all actions, whether good or bad, are seen by the gods.

In traditional Japanese society, the sun was considered a vital source of life and a foundation for agricultural communities. This reverence for the sun is reflected in the phrase, which carries a moral message: even if no one else is watching, the gods (or the heavens) are always observing. It encourages people to live honestly and righteously, knowing that their actions are always under divine scrutiny.

The above answer was provided by ChatGPT, but the origin of this phrase is unclear. It might be rooted in Shintoism, but I’ve also seen claims that it originates from Confucius or Buddhism. The feeling of shame is based on being observed by others, but personally, I think it extends from the culture of treating the sun as a person.

In other words, it is not about a deity like in Christianity, but rather, although it refers to the sun, it is essentially about society’s watchful eyes.

Religious Views of Japanese People

Japanese politeness is not due to formal education in Confucianism or Buddhism.
while these philosophies and religion have shaped the culture, it’s not as if children are directly taught them in school. Rather these values are often passed down through family community and through everyday interactions.

Most Japanese people today are unaware of the existence of Confucianism, and they might not even know about Shinto. In fact, I used to think that shrines（Shinto） and temples（Buddhism） were the same. Since they know about the existence of Buddhism, if you ask Japanese people what religion they believe in, many would likely answer Buddhism. Additionally, many Japanese people think that praying to Shinto gods is part of Buddhism.
To delve deeper, they combine Shinto and Buddhism by saying, ‘Please, Shinto gods and Buddha,’ when making requests.
The relationship between the Emperor and Shinto is also an important factor, but I did not touch on it this time. I would like to address it if I get the chance.

I would like to talk about how the unique religious views of Japanese people were formed next time.

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