Japanese Society (Center for Japanese Studies, UC Berkeley)

Center for Japanese Studies, UC Berkeley

by Chie Nakane

This short work presents a configuration of the important elements to be found in contemporary Japanese social life, and attempts to shed new light on Japanese society. Nakane deals with his own society as a social anthropologist using some of the methods which he was accustomed to applying in examining any other society. However, its form is not that of a scientific thesis (as may be seen at once from the absence of a bibliography; the author also refrains from quoting any statistical figures or precise data directly obtained from field surveys). Nakane has tried to construct a structural image of Japanese society, synthesizing the major distinguishing features to be found in Japanese life. He has drawn evidence almost at random from a number of different types of community to be found in Japan today--industrial enterprises, government organizations, educational institutions, intellectual groups, religious communities, political parties, village communities, individual household and so on. Throughout this investigation of groups in such varied fields, Nakane has concentrated my analysis on individual behavior and interpersonal relations which provide the base of both the group organization and the structural tendencies dominating in the development of a group.

Genres: Japan, Nonfiction, Japanese Literature, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Social Science

172 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 1967

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the late 1940s, Ruth Benedict published "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword," one of the first in-depth studies on Japanese culture widely read by the West and still considered a seminal work today. About twenty years later, Prof. Chie Nakane wrote this book on the same topic, which would also go on to become a famous work in the genre. More up to date than Benedict's book, it also has the advantage of being written by an actual Japanese person.

Nakane goes over much of the same material, but whereas Benedict centered her research very heavily on giri (obligation), Nakane focuses on localized "frames" as the basis of Japanese society. Essentially, a "frame" is a subjective environment based on immediate contextual relationships. In other words, whoever is immediately around you and whatever immediately concerns you. This is in opposition to "attributes," which are broader, more universal aspects of a person. Being a college student is an attribute, for example. Being a student from Harvard university, in their medical research department, between the years 2000-2014, etc., is a frame. Being a father is an attribute. Being so-and-so's father is a frame, and so on. Nakane says that "the most characteristic feature of Japanese social organization arises from the single bond in social relationships: an individual or a group has always one single distinctive relationship to the other."

This may not seem like a big deal until you realize how it plays out practically. For example, the dedication of the average Japanese "salaryman" is legendary, as is the involvement of their company in what we would consider their private lives. It is not unusual even today for someone's boss to be consulted about such things as marriage, or major financial decisions. Salarymen typically stay with one company their entire lives, never leaving even if another job is available somewhere else at higher pay.

This is puzzling to Americans, but only because we typically view ourselves in terms of attributes, not frame. Take an American lawyer. If asked what he does for a living, he will probably say "I am a lawyer." In other words, he is a lawyer by training first, and whatever firm he works for follows from that. Being a lawyer is his attribute. In Japan, this order is reversed. There, he works for "such and such legal firm." This is a frame, not an attribute.

As you can see, a frame is much more specific and personal. A society built around frame networks will come to see their surroundings as much more intimate and close than one built on attributes. An American is unlikely to ask his boss for help with his wedding unless he happens to be personal friends with his boss. This is because his boss is just someone he works for, nothing more. In Japan your boss is part of personal "frame," the means by which you place yourself in society. He is much more than a boss, and your job is not just a way to make money. Your company is more like a family, maybe in some ways more intimate than your blood-relatives.

Regardless of how right or wrong you think such a dynamic is, understanding this is key to understanding Japanese society as a whole according to Nakane. Examples of how frames define the entirety of Japan's social relations can be found not only in the corporate world but in politics, education, and the home. It is behind the highly hierarchical mindset of the average Japanese and has endured despite the many changes Japan has undergone since modernization.

As with Benedict's research, some of the contents must be evaluated in light of the many decades which have passed since Nakane first published this book. But it endures for the same reason Benedict's does--she was searching for underlying principles which are important to Japanese society and which will continue to be felt for many generations to come, regardless of superficial changes in areas like technology.

[Fadoua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three quick thoughts about this book:

+ This book seems to be everyone's reference to understand the Japanese social system. I have encountered the ideas of this books in several other works written about Japan.

+ The content is therefore not new to me. However, the biggest contribution of the book was the various concrete examples that illustrate the author's arguments.

+ The Japanese society has changed since the book was written (in the 70s). I would be more interested to read a revised version of this book that take into account several new aspects (globalization, the social model in start-up businesses, etc.).

[Tyks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatively well written and very informative, definitely had some lightbulb moments and gave me a good understanding about the subject.

[Velvetea · Rating 2 out of 5]

A study of the mental and behavioral characteristics of Japanese.......society, with special focus on their respect toward elders and higher-ups based on longevity rather than ability, or what is termed as a "vertical hierarchy". It centers mainly on the workplace, which, as I was reading it while in a Japanese workplace (high school), was interesting at times, though a little out-dated now.

However, on this topic I highly recommend Ruth Benedict's "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" for more wide-reaching analysis. But this extended essay is OK if you're looking for something quick and specific to the office lifestyle.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Japanese Society is an academic evaluation of the class structure of Japanese society. The ways in which the classes are constructed are pursued as is the accepted ways of interaction between the different classes.

[Marija S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a bit outdated, however is a solid read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in how the Japanese society is structured in one basic fragment. It is far from a complete 'manual' though.

Four out of five stars due to changed circumstances since the book had first been published and due to its lacking structure (repetitive, no clear final word, etc). Also, there are a lot of things, important for understanding of the Japanese mindset and culture it does not mention at all.

I would love to see it revised with social changes of the modern Japan. If anyone has a good recommendation in that regard, please share.

[Soobie is expired · Rating 3 out of 5]

Letto (e studiacchiato) in previsione di una tesi sul Giappone. Era vecchio già allora, penso, visto che è stato scritto nel 1970. Per quanto la società giapponese sia immobile, dubito che le cose stiano ancora così.

Ma può essere ancora utile, a patto di non prendere per oro colato tutto quello che c'è scritto.

Estremamente asciutto e conciso.

[Jose Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you work for Japanese in Japan this is a must read. Even though the book was written in the 70s it explains very well how is the working business style in Japan and how it is very difficult for them to grow global, accept outsiders and have open communications.

[Timothy Fewless · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very tough read but informative

[Karu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Japanese society is explained by Chie Nakane's 'vertical society' theory. Definitely recommend to read to everyone who is interested in Japan or Asia (there are some little comparisons with China and India, but not much, still it gives some overview of the differences between those countries).

Not exactly beach reading as the society of Japan is explained very theoretically and is not written as usual books which introduce some country's culture or society, but it is not difficult to understand :) just something to consider when You start reading this book.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic, but I've read most of this before (though this was groundbreaking work when it came out--just an accident of how I've been reading that I got to it only now--have read much of the book as excerpts in the past though). Needs updating. For example, there's a chapter on the Japanese Man. How about the Japanese Woman? There are issues that pertain to her in this vertical society that aren't covered and should be treated with equal importance.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that explores the social hierarchy in Japanese society and its effects on the individual. Recommended for those with a genuine interest in Japanese society, its influences, and its effects on cross-cultural interactions.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

buku wajib buat yang ingin belajar tentang Masyarakat Jepang. Bukan buku baru memang, tapi pandangan-pandangan di dalamnya lumayan bisa jadi dasar untuk memahami lebih dalam tentang masyarakat Jepang.

[Caterina mytsubo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utilissimo e conciso.
Uno sguardo approdondito all'interno della società giapponese con un particolare riguardo alle dinamiche di "gruppo". Viene chiarito la dicotomia uchi/soto sia le varie componenti della gerarchiche all'interno del posto di lavoro, dell'ambito famigliare, etc.

[Yupa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Superato, utile soltanto per capire l'ambiente culturale e ideologico in cui il libro è stato scritto e soprattutto è stato letto e accolto.
Purtroppo in Italia (e a volte anche fuori da) c'è chi ancora lo prende sul serio...

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, full of interesting background to the development of Japanese society and why the Japanese behave the way they do in comparison to other nations. I found the social anthropology particularly interesting. Worth reading for anyone intrigued by Japanese social etiquette.

[Rebecca Radnor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Structuralist interpretation of Japanese society that helps to understand how traditional Japanese look at their relationships. I found this highly helpful with regards to my dissertation.

[Shudi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read part of it for Japanese culture course, very inspiring, a masterpiece of Japanese culture studies

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro to the Japanese culture as it originates from social norms, especially social structure.

[Harry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too dry for me. I didn't finish the book.

[Izzati · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read on the Japanese psyche. It gave a very critical view of why the Japanese act in ways that are different than say, the Indians and people from the West. Nakane was a professor of Social Anthropology at the Institute of Oriental Culture of Tokyo University, and reading this felt like I was in one of her classes. It was a tedious and dry read, but nonetheless intriguing.

Although I knew a lot about the Japanese culture mostly from Jdrama and some from my conversations with my Japanese teachers in Japan, I learned a lot about the Japanese mindset from this book. In fact, some of the examples given in the book caught me by surprise. However, it was written back in the 70s, so whatever the author mentioned about "recent trends" are probably no longer applicable today. Which is probably why Tuttle no longer publishes this book. Today, it is only available under University of California Press.

Through out reading this, I kept thinking that I should re-watch Hanzawa Naoki Season 1 for the third time to see if I could understand things from the Japanese point of view. I think some things that the characters did would make more sense now that I understand their thinking a little better.

[M.R.K M.R.K · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has given a great point concerning Japanese society. As a Japanese herself she knows more about the societal norms and behaviors which can be different from other cultures. More to that she tried to illustrate how different aspects of society works together in the style of company or companionship, also highlights how some societal behaviors work together and form as a group. This book gives a good understanding of Japanese society overall and is a bit focused on corporate culture and social expectations.

[Juliyn Perez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe because this is an older book it did not really offer anything new to me. I appreciated the connection of some concepts to personal experiences of the author most. This was also very hard to read with what felt like constant rewording of the same ideas as well.

[Jun Ogawa · Rating 4 out of 5]

これが50年前に書かれた本なのか！？
確かに一部、古い表記はあるが、日本の組織を動かす根本が全然変わっていないことがよく分かる。本書で言う「タテ」の関係の強さ、窮屈さは長く国内大企業に勤める私にもとてもうなづけるものであった。
一方で、ジェレミー・リフキン氏などは、個人の能力でつながった柔軟な組織が、今後、企業に変わって重要になると指摘している。どこまで我々は今の企業に頼り、一方で個人として独り立ちできる準備をするべきかを考えさせてくれる本である。
ジェレミー・リフキン氏の「限界費用ゼロ社会 〈モノのインターネット〉と共有型経済の台頭」とセットで読むと興味深い。

[Kimi Alias · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a big reference for every foreigner who wants to stay in Japan, especially for who is working in Japanese style company.

[Zachary DeFoor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder if this book is still relevant, due to its age. Regardless, it is great source material for world-building.

[winter]

thinking about her:
kuniko

[Mallee Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is purely an academic approach to what has persisted in Japanese society in spite of its advancement in technology and industry. Revealing and interesting.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contrasts Japanese society with Western societies. A slow but interesting read.

[Marcus O'Shea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good on info but pretty dry reading.