As mentioned in my last post, my first visit to Japan was from early 1991 to late 1992. The bubble economy was just about to crash. People were partying and throwing yen about like money was falling from the sky! As an English teacher at one point, I was actually earning AUD $400 an hour! But alas, it was short lived. The economy tanked soon after and I spent the next 10 years back in Australia trying to run my first business.
The money highs of the 1980s were a direct result of 120 million Japanese all acting in coordinated unison. Their system of thinking had them all working together as one. An unbeatable combination, almost. In hindsight though it obviously also had its short falls. Their herd like mentality and reliance on “the system” greatly limits individuality and creativity which in turn makes changing political and social reform a very slow process. In other words, when a situation that has not been delt with before changes, the Japanese are at a complete loss as to how to deal with it. My own experience in business relies on my creative faculty to problem solve (something my International Kindergarten teaches passionately) but since the early 90’s, and for the years that have followed, the system has remained bogged down. Now, a victim of its own success.
The heart and spirit of Japan still remains today however, a testament to how powerful it was in centuries gone by. Life back then was all about Japan’s traditions and emotions and these still remain, buried, just under the surface, of the modern Japan we know today. So, how to prepare for your trip ahead? Let’s take a look at your direct contact with the Japanese themselves as you navigate your way to the land of mystery…
Your first contact could well be an airport check in staff member in your home city, or possibly an air hostess on your flight. The first thing you need to realize is that these people are technically not included. From my own personal point of view, I like Japanese who are openminded and courageous enough to work, live and play outside their home country and who consequently learn to speak a foreign language. In fact, I believe that these people may be the only ones capable of saving Japan from the rapid economic decline it is now facing.
My point here is that the deeper mystery of what we are trying to unravel here is not found in Japanese living outside of Japan. It does not include Japanese who have lived overseas, speak English, and have experienced Western Culture because they are obviously more in tune with our ways of thinking. My own children are included in this category too. The internationalization of Japan, a subject that I have been working on, at ground level, for the past twenty years, is a subject that I am very passionate about. I will be getting into this subject a little further down the line so, for now, lets just draw the line of your Japanese experience actually starting when you set foot in Japan.
So what general advice, as to self-preparation, would a twenty yearlong veteran like me give to someone going to Japan for the very first time be?
Be prepared to Always bend with the wind!
A long time ago the Japanese came to the conclusion that the world in general is in a constant state of flux. Nothing is permanent, stable, unchanging. The smoothest, most harmonious way therefore to navigate an issue is to simply change your mind about it. (At least for now). As you are the guest, in most situations your Japanese hosts will do everything they can to make your trip a comfortable one, but if something unforeseen finds you in an unsavory situation, just bend!
Like many things Japanese this has its roots in Buddhism, which in fact argues that this entire life is mind. That there is in fact no barrier between the inner world and the outer. How open minded is that?! Regardless of what people think it does open a portal into the Japanese mindset. It is after all much easier to change the way you think about something then it is to rearrange objects in the physical world. Right?
Okay, so let’s get down to the bottom line of Japan trip preparation. It’s been said before but really it cant be over emphasized. We always have to come back to the root here. When you are in Japan what you see is JUST on the surface! Unless you become an avid reader of this blog, which I suggest you do, then you can visit a hundred times and still not come to understand what is fully going on below! Sure, you will see physical stuff, but that’s it. In a nutshell then, preparation for your trip should be to do lots of Japan reading so that your thinking and understanding when your there is much more enlightened. We are all ignorant about something and this is certainly not something that helps to transform us. This is why the Japanese place a great deal of emphasis on continual learning and refinement.
Next Post: Fuji: Boots on the ground.