1. Groupism Ideology in Japanese Society: Beneficial or Damaging?
Eunseo Lee　い　うんそ

2. Table of Contents Introduction Definitions
Groupism Ideology on Benefits to Japanese people and Japanese society
3.1. Strong Economy
3.2. Post-disaster Bonds/Strong Community
Groupism Ideology is Damaging to Japanese people and Japanese society
4.1. No immigration policy
4.2. Rigid Social Structure
Analysis of Evidence
Conclusion

3. Table of Contents Introduction Definitions
Groupism Ideology on Benefits to Japanese people and Japanese society
3.1. Strong Economy
3.2. Post-disaster Bonds/Strong Community
Groupism Ideology is Damaging to Japanese people and Japanese society
4.1. No immigration policy
4.2. Rigid Social Structure
Analysis of Evidence
Conclusion

4. 1. Introduction - purpose
Remember Nihonjinron?
There is a link between Nihonjinron and groupism ideology
My motivation is to compare groupism and individualism

5. Table of Contents Introduction Definitions
Groupism Ideology on Benefits to Japanese people and Japanese society
3.1. Strong Economy
3.2. Post-disaster Bonds/Strong Community
Groupism Ideology is Damaging to Japanese people and Japanese society
4.1. No immigration policy
4.2. Rigid Social Structure
Analysis of Evidence
Conclusion

6. Groupism Ideology Definition
Burgess (2007), writes
“Mouer and Sugimoto (1986: 406) note that the Nihonjinron Discourse has two central tenets: (a) Japanese society is 'uniquely' unique and (b) group orientation is the dominant cultural pattern which shapes behaviour.”
Individual < Group
People belong to group and in exchange for loyalty and they gain interdependence
1997 Sugimoto, Yoshio (p. 406)
2007 Burgess, Chris (October 20)

7. Hofstede’s definition
Hofstede’s Insights
Japan has small individualism compared to United States
Groupism
Definition: “Individuals can expect their relatives or members of a particular ingroup to look after them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty.”
Graph on individualism (2nd)
Self image defined as “We” vs “I”
Japanese people identify as “we”
United States people identify as “I”
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2018 Hofstede’s Insights, accessed 2018/10/24

8. （あすを探る メディア）電通過労死、見えぬ核心 津田大介
（あすを探る　メディア）電通過労死、見えぬ核心　津田大介

9. 朝日新聞　2016年10月27　朝刊

10. 相次ぐスポーツ不祥事：東京五輪に向けてハラスメントの根絶を
Nippon.com 　最終更新日

11. 3.11もブレなかった東京ディズニーランドの優先順位
日経ビジネス　2011年5月16日（月）

12. 2. Definition of Benefiting an Damaging
Beneficial: Producing a good result or helpful effects
Damage: Loss or harm resulting in injury
Three categories
Economic Benefit or Damage
Psychological Benefit or Damage
Social Benefit or Damage
2. Definition of Benefiting an Damaging
When conducting research, it is easy to go to one source: Wikipedia. However, you need to include a variety of sources in your research. Consider the following sources:
Who can I interview to get more information on the topic?
Is the topic current and will it be relevant to my audience?
What articles, blogs, and magazines may have something related to my topic?
Is there a YouTube video on the topic? If so, what is it about?
What images can I find related to the topic?
2018 Merriam Webaster Dictionary (accessed 2018/10/03)
2011 The Commission on Measuring Well-Being, Japan (p. 6)

13. Table of Contents Introduction Definitions
Groupism Ideology on Benefits to Japanese people and Japanese society
3.1. Strong Economy
3.2. Post-disaster Bonds/Strong Community
Groupism Ideology is Damaging to Japanese people and Japanese society
4.1. No immigration policy
4.2. Rigid Social Structure
Analysis of Evidence
Conclusion

14. 3.1 Strong economy - management
Japan Style Management
Western Style Management
Company is viewed as one body. Devotion of individual to company
Group responsibility, participation and planning
Lifelong employment after graduation
Groupism and mutual dependence
Company goals is individual goals
Harmony in human relations
Individual is hired to for a function
Individual is responsible
Employment only when people are needed
Individualism, loyalty is weak
Company is a way of making money
Human relationships in company is artificial and have no meaning
1985 P. J. Buckley and H. Mirza (p.24)

15. 3.1 Economic benefit
1. Great economic success through post-war period because of Japanese Management
2. Efficient processes in management and production
Quality Control in production made possible by devotion of individual to company and lifetime employment
3. Decisions made effectively through consensus
Japanese company can act as a unified whole, everyone is working towards same goal
The 2nd Largest GDP in 1981, currently 3rd Largest GDP
1983 Schmookler, Andrew B. (p. 7-80
1985 P. J. Buckley and H. Mirza (p.18)
2018 Statistics Times (accessed 2018/08/05)

16. Japanese miracle – great economic success
2015 Tetsuji, Okazaki (accessed 2018/10/23)

17. Table of Contents Introduction Definitions
Groupism Ideology on Benefits to Japanese people and Japanese society
3.1. Strong Economy
3.2. Post-disaster Bonds/Strong Community
Groupism Ideology is Damaging to Japanese people and Japanese society
4.1. No immigration policy
4.2. Rigid Social Structure
Analysis of Evidence
Conclusion

18. 3.2 Post-disaster Bonds/Strong Community
The Great East Japanese Earthquake destroyed many Northern cities
Left psychological and physical damage to Japan
1. However, increased the bond between people
Created unity in Japan
Groupism Ideology gives a psychological benefit and increases the unity in Japan
2011 The Commission on Measuring Well-Being, Japan (p. 5)

19. 3.2 Post-disaster Bonds/Strong Community
Total 8,504,172,000 Yen in Corporate donations
Total 3,934,858,005 Yen in Individual donations
2018 Wikipedia (accessed 2018/10/05)

20. 3.2 Post-disaster Bonds/Strong Community
Estimate of 1.52 million volunteers
Volunteering for clearing rubble and helping evacuation centers (short term)
Community building and town development (long term)
Long term and short term volunteering is possible because of groupism ideology
Creates unity in people
Groupism Ideology gives a social benefit
Many volunteers and donations made to rebuild destroyed cities and help people
2017 Japan Times: p.1.

21. Table of Contents Introduction Definitions
Groupism Ideology on Benefits to Japanese people and Japanese society
3.1. Strong Economy
3.2. Post-disaster Bonds/Strong Community
Groupism Ideology is Damaging to Japanese people and Japanese society
4.1. No immigration policy
4.2. Rigid Social Structure
Analysis of Evidence
Conclusion

22. 4.1 No immigration policy Murakami (2018) Head of OECD Tokyo Center
The official statement of Japanese government is there is no immigration in Japan
Immigrants are labelled as “temporary workers”
Why is this bad?
2018 Murakami, Yumiko (October 20)

24. 4.1 NO immigration policy – Institutionalisation of homogeneous people
Japan’s Rigid Immigration Policy
Groupism ideology = homogeneous society
Burgess (2018)
Institutionalisation of ‘homogeneous people’
Japanese Identity = Japanese race
Institutionalized racism against foreigners
Japan’s aging demographics
Means shortage of workforce -> Economically Damaging
2018 Burgess (August 20)

25. 4.1 Economic Damaging – Quality of services
Industry labour shortages in major industries
Vice president of Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry, Morikawa (2018),
“The Japanese economy is suffering its worst labour shortage since This column explores the impact of this shortage, in light of the past five years’ economic expansion. The main effect has been a decline in the quality of goods and services, which translates into increases in true prices.”
Economically Damaging
4.1 Economic Damaging – Quality of services
2018 Morikawa, Masayuki (accessed October 20)

26. 4.1 Economic Damaging Example The Nursing Care Industry
Labour shortage projection of 380,000 workers by 2025
Groupism Ideology makes coming to Japan difficult
Need to pass Japanese proficiency test
Many workers return home after a few years
Economically Damaging!
2018 Burgess (September 20)
2017 Japan Times (August 20)
4.1 Economic Damaging

28. 4.1 No immigration policy – economically damaging summary
No Immigration Policy is because of Groupism Ideology and “Homogeneous Society”
Strict immigration regulation will make it hard for foreign workers to join the Japanese companies.
Aging Demographic in Japan demands more people to join companies
Companies need to pay off millions of retirees
Currently, labour shortages across many industries
2018 Burgess (September 20)

29. Table of Contents Introduction Definitions
Groupism Ideology on Benefits to Japanese people and Japanese society
3.1. Strong Economy
3.2. Post-disaster Bonds/Strong Community
Groupism Ideology is Damaging to Japanese people and Japanese society
4.1. No immigration policy
4.2. Rigid Social Structure
Analysis of Evidence
Conclusion

30. 4.2 Rigid social structure
Groupism – means lack of individualism
Lack of individual thought or judgement
1. Lack of individual responsibility –> Socially Damaging
Example is Fukushima Meltdown
2018 Hofstede’s Insights, accessed 2018/10/24

31. 4.2 Socially damaging Rigid Social Structure -> Fukushima Meltdown
Potential Outcome of groupism ideology
Reluctance to question authority
Obedience to the group
Consequence?
50 functioning reactors turned off for safety check
Death toll: 34 from evacuation
Radiation release
Socially Damaging to Japan
2011 The Telegraph, p. 2

32. Table of Contents Introduction Definitions
Groupism Ideology on Benefits to Japanese people and Japanese society
3.1. Strong Economy
3.2. Post-disaster Bonds/Strong Community
Groupism Ideology is Damaging to Japanese people and Japanese society
4.1. No immigration policy
4.2. Rigid Social Structure
Analysis of Evidence
Conclusion

33. 3.1.1 Analysis of Strong Economy
Groupism Ideology in Japanese Management, Not Always!
6 -> Intense competition in education
No harmony when competing
4 -> Exploitation of subcontractors
There is no mutual dependence for contractors
3 -> Low pensions and early retirement
Lifelong employment only on paper
1990 Kanji p.237

34. 3.1.1 Analysis of Strong Economy
1. Great economic success through post-war period
Is in the past!
Japan’s economic growth decline since 1990

35. 3.1.1 Analysis of Strong Economy
2. Quality Control in production made possible by devotion of individual to company and lifetime employment
1994, Toyota hiring college graduates without guarantee of permanent employment
1995 Ellington p.3

36. 3.1.1 Analysis of Strong Economy
3. Japanese company can act as a unified whole because each decision is consensus
Japanese culture for people to not speak out – silence does not mean consensus
Japanese management takes so long because there are so many layers of hierarchy
2018 Haitana p.239

37. 3.2.1 Analysis psychological benefitting evidence
1. The bond between people increased
But there still remains “unbonded” people
Existence of Burakumin
Existence of Hikkikomori
More lonely deaths of old people
Highest percentage in world of 15 year olds saying “I am lonely”
High Male suicide rates
Credit: Yamauchi, Naoto, Ph.D. Osaka School of International Public Policy
2011 The Commission on Measuring Well-Being, Japan (p. 6)
2012 Yamauchi, Naoto (p. 5 – 13)

38. 3.2.1 Analysis Socially benefitting evidence
2. Groupism Ideology gives a social benefit
Many volunteers and donations made to rebuild destroyed cities and help people
Crime During Great Tohoku Earthquake
“Japan Earthquake: Organised crime gangs preying on victims”
Reports of people helping themselves to things that had been washed out of other people’s homes
“Ore-Ore” fraud – fooling people to think they need help and money
2011 The telegraph( August 20), p.1

39. 4.1.1 Analysis of economically damaging evidence
1. No Immigration Policy is because of Groupism Ideology and “Homogeneous Society”
Burgess (2007) , “The myth of homogeneity”
Japan is full of immigrants – Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications report 2,497,000 immigrants
Currently European countries have immigration crisis and terrorist attacks but Japan has no terrorist attacks
2007 Burgess, Chris (October 20)
2018 Statistics Japan (October 22)

40. 4.1.1 Analysis of economically damaging evidence
2. Strict immigration regulation will make it hard for foreign workers to join the Japanese company
“Temporary” low-skilled worker industries filled with immigrants
Japanese government is making efforts to stabilize the economy without long-term immigrants
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Statement
“Labor shortage is becoming an increasingly serious issue, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises in local districts. For this reason, there is an urgent need to establish a system for accepting a wide range of foreign personnel who have specific expertise and skills, and can be of immediate help. The draft Basic Policy that was presented today clearly sets forth the creation of a new category of residence status, as a matter separate from immigration policies.”
2018 Shinzo, Abe

41. 朝日新聞「介護に実習生、日本語力どこまで　第１号の中国人２人、就労」2018年08月28日付朝刊

42. 4.1.1 Analysis of economically damaging evidence
3. Aging Demographic in Japan demands more people to join companies
Currently, labour shortages across many industries
Unemployment is at all time low of 2.2%
More women in job market to fill shortages
2018 Japan Times, p. 2

43. 4.2.1 Analysis of socially damaging evidence
1. Lack of individual responsibility – Socially Damaging
This is from Rigid Social Structure and Groupism Ideology
Individual Responsibility is needed!

44. Table of Contents Introduction Definitions
Groupism Ideology on Benefits to Japanese people and Japanese society
3.1. Economic Benefitting
3.2. Psychologically Benefitting
Groupism Ideology is Damaging to Japanese people and Japanese society
4.1. Economically Damaging
4.2. Socially Damaging
Analysis of Evidence
Conclusion

45. Conclusion Conclusion
Economically Damaging
No Immigration Policy is because of Groupism Ideology and “Homogeneous Society”
Strict immigration regulation will make it hard for foreign workers to join the Japanese companies.
Aging Demographic in Japan demands more people to join companies
Socially Damaging
Lack of individual responsibility
Economic Benefitting
1. Great economic success through post-war period because of Japanese Management
2. Quality Control in production made possible by devotion of individual to company and lifetime employment
3. Decisions made effectively through consensus
Psychologically Benefitting
1. Groupism Ideology gives a psychological benefit and increases the unity in Japan
2. Groupism Ideology gives a social benefit of post-disaster volunteer
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Conclusion
Conclusion

47. Bibliography Befu, Harumi
1971 ‘The Group Model of Japanese Society and an Alternative’ in Japan: an Anthropological Introduction, edited by David Slater. Stanford: Charles E. Tuttle Company, pp
Bolton, Kristoffer H.
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Buckley, P. J. and Mirza, H.
1985 The Wit and Wisdom of Japanese Management: An Iconoclastic Analysis. London: Springer
Burgess, Chris
2008 Multicultural Japan? Discourse and the ‘Myth’ of Homogeneity. Tokyo: The Asia-Pacific Journal
Ellington, Lucien
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Haitani, Kanji
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Hofstede’s Insights
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Hook, Glenn D. and Harukiyo, Hasegawa
2001 The Political Economy of Japanese Globalization. London and New York: Routledge.
Human Rights Watch

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Japan Times
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Meili, Ryan
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Morikawa, Masayuki
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Pickett, Kate and Wilkinson, Richard G.
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Statistics Japan
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Statistic Times
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Schmookler, Andrew B.
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Sugimoto, Yoshio
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The Guardian
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49. The Telegraph
2011 ‘Japanese Earthquake: Organised Crime Gangs preying on victims’ (August 20), p. 1
Weiner, Michael
2009 Japan’s Minorities The Illusion of Homogeneity. Abingdon and New York: Routledge
Wikipedia
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Yamauchi, Naoto
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