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Group Harmony vs. Individual Competition: Japan’s Cultural Balance

If you are familiar with Japan and someone asks if Japanese society is individualistic or collectivistic, the immediate answer would be “collectivistic.” And you would not be far from the truth. Yes, Japanese society is known for group harmony and collectivism, which are the foundation stones of its cultural values, where individuals prioritize the collective good over personal ambition. However,

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Japan: From Traditional Practices to Modern Cultural Innovations

Japan, an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, has intriguing contrasts and “harmonious contradictions”. The country is an amazing mix of ancient customs, culture, and state-of-the-art technology. Japan has a strong culture that mixes its history and old customs with new ideas and the ability to overcome challenges to create a successful modern society. This article explores this fascinating duality, the

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Kawaii Culture: The Culture of Cuteness

Kawaii culture in Japan is centered around the appeal of cuteness and innocence, characterized by childlike, charming qualities and playful elements. Japan, known for its cultural phenomena that touch every corner of the globe, has given the world another captivating phenomenon known as Kawaii culture. The word ‘Kawaii’ (可愛い or かわいい) means ‘cute’ or ‘lovable.’ It was originally used to

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Otaku Culture: Influences and Impact on Japanese Society and Beyond

Otaku culture refers to a dedicated and enthusiastic following of various aspects of Japanese pop culture. People following Otaku culture primarily focus on manga, anime, video games, and related media. Otaku culture characterizes individuals who are deeply invested in these hobbies, often with extensive knowledge and collections. Japan has been a hotspot for cultural phenomena that transcend geographic and linguistic

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Origami: The Japanese Art of Paper Folding

Origami (折り紙) is a beautiful and delicate Japanese paper folding art that creates beautiful shapes and models. This ancient and ever-evolving art has a rich and long history in Japan and is now equally admired worldwide. The art of paper folding or making art by paper folding is not exclusive to Japan. People worldwide make shapes using paper. And why

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Japanese Pottery, Ceramics & Porcelain: History and Styles

Japan has a long and rich history in traditional arts and crafts, characterized by precision, minimalism, and deep respect for materials and their natural characteristics. Understanding this history and traditions is not complete without knowing about the time-honored tradition of famous Japanese pottery, porcelain, and ceramic craft. Japanese pottery is not only admired internationally; traditional pottery and porcelain are very

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Japanese Culture and Traditions

Japanese culture has always fascinated many foreigners, especially Westerners. The reason for this fascination is simple—opposites attract. Japanese culture, along with most Asian cultures, contrasts a lot with Western cultures, and that contrast works like a magnate for many. This article aims to dive deeper and understand various aspects of Japan’s unique culture. Culture and traditions change over time. The

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Mastering the Art of Gift Giving in Japan

Giving gifts is a common practice in many cultures. It’s a way to show your appreciation to someone in a platonic or romantic way. Offering gifts can also help establish or maintain professional relationships for years. However, Gift-giving in Japan is a crucial part of the culture. The art of gift-giving in Japan appears easy on the surface, but there’s

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Business Cards in Japan: How to Properly Exchange Your Business Card

Business cards, known as meishi (名刺), are fundamental to good business relations and professional etiquette in Japan. As you may expect, the exchange of business cards, meishi kokan (名刺交換), is a very delicate process with set guidelines that need to be respected. Business cards are significant in Japanese work culture, and Japanese people are very sensitive about your respect for

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