People and Society, Ethnic Groups

The overwhelming majority of Japans population is ethnically Japanese. The Ainu are Japans only indigenous ethnic group. Japan is also home to comparatively small groups of Koreans, Chinese, and residents from other countries. All told, the non-Japanese portion of the population totals no more than 2 percent, making Japan one of the most homogeneous countries in the world in terms of ethnic or national composition. Although the origins of the Ainu are uncertain, traditional belief holds that they descended from the earliest settlers of Japan, who arrived long before the first Japanese. Their physical characteristics suggested to early anthropologists that they were Caucasoid (ultimately originating in southeastern Europe) or Australoid (originating in Australia and Southeast Asia). The Ainu have a distinct language and religious beliefs, and a rich material culture. Many engage in agriculture, fishing, and logging, or in tourism in their distinctive villages. Koreans are the largest nonnative group in Japan, numbering 645,000. When the Japanese colonized Korea in the early 20th century, they forced many Koreans to move to Japan to work in Japanese mines and factories. Many Koreans living in Japan today are the children of these unwilling immigrants. Koreans make up more than 51 percent of all foreign residents in Japan. The next-largest group is the Chinese, some of whom were likewise forcibly relocated during Japans occupation of Taiwan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sizeable communities of Brazilians, Filipinos, and Americans also live in Japan. Since the 1980s workers from Asian countries such as China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Iran have come to Japan on temporary visas to work in construction and industry doing so-called 3K jobs (kitsui, kitanai, and kiken, or difficult, dirty, and dangerous) that Japanese workers avoid. These foreign workers often live in inferior conditions and are generally shunned by many Japanese.

VALUES AND BELIEFS Contemporary Japan is a secular society. Creating harmonious relations with others through reciprocity and the fulfillment of social obligations is more significant for most

Japanese than an individual's relationship to a transcendent God. Japanese people has three important values,these are Harmony, order, and self-development are three of the most important values. Basic ideas about self and the nature of human society are drawn from several religious and philosophical traditions. Religious practice, too, emphasizes the maintenance of harmonious relations with others (both spiritual beings and other humans) and the fulfilment of social obligations as a member of a family and a community. In interpersonal relationships, most Japanese tend to avoid open competition and confrontation. Working with others requires self-control, but it carries the rewards of pride in contributing to the group, emotional security, and social identity. Wa, the notion of harmony within a group, requires an attitude of cooperation and a recognition of social roles. If each individual in the group understands personal obligations and empathizes with the situations of others, then the group as a whole benefits. Success can come only if all put forth their best individual efforts. Decisions are often made only after consulting with everyone in the group. Working in a group in Japan requires the development of successful channels of communication.Thenakodo most often refers to the person (or people) who negotiates marriage arrangements, including checking each family's background, conveying questions and criticisms, and smoothing out difficulties. But this kind of personal mediation is common in many aspects of Japanese life.

TRADITIONAL HEALING PRACTICES

Traditional Japanese believe that an individual's health is dependent on maintaining a harmonious relationship with the universe. Hari (acupuncture) and kyu (moxibustion) were used to restore the balance in the body. Small needles are used in acupuncture and applied to specific points on the skin surface. Moxibustion was used to help ailments of the muscles, joints, bones and back. Another common treatment methodology used is massage. Massage is thought to restore proper balances and stimulate the body's natural ability to fight off illness.Shiatsu is an ancient art of health that originally came from China. In Japan, the word "shiatsu" means finger pressure: shi (finger) atsu (pressure). Shiatsu improves the bosy's own natural powers of recuperation and prevents illness. It relies on the mental attitude of the person undergoing

treatment.Shiatsu is used to relax the body, guard against colds, relieve fatigue and relax aching sholders& backs. The most common reason people get shiatsu is to treat backaches. In practicing shiatsu, a pressure is applied to the surface of the body in a gradual manner that penetrates and limbers the muscles beneath. The bulb of the thumbs and fingers are used to apply sufficient pressure.

JAPANESE HERBAL REMEDIES There is a certain selection of herbs that is abundantly used in Japanese herbal remedies. Pseudo ginseng for example is one of the most commonly used herbs for pain relief. This natural herb also helps to increase the blood flow in the area where it is applied hence acting like an analgesic. Another commonly found herb in Japanese herbal remedies is Angelica. This particular herb has the potential to improve blood circulation and speed up the healing process. Known to be a highly potent herb Dipsacis is one of the instrumental herbs in Japanese herbal remedies. The high potency of the herb means that the use of this particular herb must be well regulated. As awkward as it may sound Japanese peppermint is also a prominently featured herb that has excellent medicinal properties. In fact you will find that most Japanese herbal medicines have this ingredient in them. Based entirely upon the well regulated use of natural herbs people are looking at Japanese herbal remedies as the healthier alternative to chemical medicines.

Japanese Traditional Childbearing Practices Cessation of menstrual periods signaled the start of pregnancy for the Japanese women of small communal villages of the nineteen thirties. It was believed that hard physical work should not be avoided and pampering ones self while pregnant would mark that woman as lazy and "no good". In fact, they believed that the continuance of working would make the labor for the expectant mother easier.

As the birthing day arrived, the woman would work closer to home. When labor started the midwife was called to assist in the delivery along with her husband's mother and her own mother. In these days rarely did a woman in labor cry out in pain. Soft crying was allowable, but any loud demonstration would elicit contemptuous comments from the older women. In fact, if there were other children in the house, it was not even known to them that a baby was being born.For the next 27 days the mother and child are not allowed outside of the room for fear that the newborn's soul has not firmly attached to the body yet. The midwife remains with the mother during this time, helps her with recuperating, teaching her about infant care and proper nutrition for a hearty milk supply. On the 31st day the mother and child are taken by family members to the Shinto shrine and blessed. The newborn is now an official member of the community. A celebration of food and wine was held at the parent's home for the villagers to welcome their new addition. Looking back on the Japanese childbearing practices then and comparing them to today's practices, many similarities are noted. Today a Japanese woman is encouraged to carry out her usual duties at home and at work. She is encouraged to eat a healthy diet and prepare physically for labor via prenatal exercises and classes. It is still customary that a newborn infant remains in the home for 30 days. It is now believed that this allows the infant to adapt to the new atmosphere while protecting the infant from overexposure to bacteria and viruses.

Japanese Communication Style Communicating effectively is difficult especially for those individuals who has different cultures . The following are the Japanese communication style and some tips on what to know about the Japanese people. About silence The Japanese tend to be suspicious of words; they are more concerned with actions. They believe in using silence as a way of communicating. They also believe it is better to talk too little than too much.Japanese take special note of the pauses between words. They are comfortable with less talk and longer periods of silence than are Westerners. Indirect & ambiguous

The Japanese tend to give very little explanation as to what they mean and their answers are often very vague. They dislike saying no and will not tell you if they do not understand. If they disagree or do not feel they can do something, they will make a statement like it will be difficult. This usually means they do not feel they can do what you requested. They often leave sentences unfinished, allowing the other person to finish it in their own mind. Sincerity To the Japanese, sincerity means to properly discharge all of ones obligations in order that everything will flow smoothly and harmony will be maintained. Truth is relative The Japanese believe truth is dependent upon circumstances and obligations to other people. Nothing should be allowed to disrupt the surface harmony of the individual, therefore, the Japanese will often give an answer they believe will please the listener.Individual Japanese may not be able to tell you what you want to know, and instead make up an answer. Saving face Accuracy is important to the Japanese and errors are not well accepted. A Japanese does not like being put in the position of having to admit a mistake or failure. To do so means losing face and this is very serious. They are also hesitant to admit they did not understand something.

Eye contact

Holding the gaze of another person is considered rude. The Japanese usually focus on a persons neck or tie knot.

In Western cultures, we are taught to look people in the eyes at all times, just like Philippine country we are taught to look the patients eye when talking with them. In Japan, constant eye contact is considered rude or even aggressive.

Indicating agreement

The Japanese do not judge information given to them so they do not indicate agreement or disagreement. They only nod to indicate they are listening. To the Japanese nodding or saying yes only means they are listening to what you are saying. It does not indicate agreement. The Japanese tend to see criticism as personal and dont understand how Americans can separate criticism of ones actions from criticizing one personally.

Personal Space Japanese keep a greater physical distance between themselves than do Westerners.They tend to be reserved and humble and like to blend into the crowd. Speaking loudly is considered rude and threatening. Pointing is also considered rude. They are also reserved when it comes to physical touching.

Body Language The verbal and non-verbal habits of most Westerners place a premium on frankness and clarity, and are virtually the opposite of the Japanese. You must learn to become an active listener as well as a good observer of body language. Otherwise, it is easy to miss a great deal of what is being conveyed to you, seriously misjudge a situation, or make incorrect assumptions. Other tips Speak slowly and clearly Avoid jargon, idioms, long sentences and complex grammar Avoid negative questions Use humor cautiously, jokes are easily misunderstood Avoid slang; they may take it literally Don't run several questions together; ask them singly

Write numbers, especially ones over 100,000. Japanese have different term for large numbers and it could be confusing Check and clarify; do not assume either you or they have understood correctly When they are talking, give feedback to indicate you are listening ROLE OF THE FAMILY Japanese parenting styles are shifting because of today's more internationalized climate. One major change is that children and teenagers are spending more time with their friends than with their families, which is a huge step away from Japanese custom. Even though many Japanese families strive to honor tradition, that attitude is receding in younger generations as globalization becomes more rampant. Japanese parents spoil their children more. In Japan, many children go to work from their home even after they graduate from college. Japanese parents have a strong expectation that the oldest son will take care of them when they get old. This is why the Japanese parents dont encourage children to be independent. The Japanese parents think that it is the

parentsresponsibility to make sure their children graduate from college. They dont hesitate to invest large amounts of money for their childrens education.

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS There are more than 200,000 religious organizations in Japan, the majority of them either Shint ; or Buddhist in orientation. Shint is the indigenous animistic religion of Japan. Known as the "way of the kami (deities)," it is both a household and a local-community religion. The doctrine is largely unwritten, religious statuary is uncommon, and Shint shrines are simple but elegant wooden structures usually situated in a sacred grove of trees, entry to which is gained through an archway known as a t ri.Buddhism was introduced to Japan from India via China and Korea in the middle of the sixth century.Buddhist priests are contacted almost exclusively for funerals and memorial services.

CEREMONIES

The major festival days are the New Year's festival, on the first day of the first month, the girls' festival on the third day of the third month, the boys' festival on the fifth day of the fifth month, the star festival on the seventh day of the seventh month, and the chrysanthemum festival on the ninth day of the ninth month. These festivals are celebrated both in the home and at shrines. A newborn child is usually dedicated to the service of a deity at a shrine on his or her first trip out of the house, and at ages 3, 5, and 7 children are again presented at the shrine dressed in traditional clothes.Public ceremonies at Buddhist temples are less frequent, the most important being the annual bon ceremony, in which the dead are believed to return for a short while to earth, after which they must be returned safely to the other world. Some temples occasionally hold healing ceremonies, conduct tea ceremonies, or participate in setsubun, a purification ceremony to welcome spring.

DEATH AND AFTER LIFE In Japan death is believed to take place when the spirit is separated irrevocably from the body. Between life and death is an interim stage of forty-nine days in which the spirit lingers in this world until finally it is settled peacefully in the realm of the dead. Annual memorial services must be held for the dead and it is not until the thirty-third or fiftieth year after death that the spirit loses its individual identity and is fused with the spirits of the ancestors. There is also a widely shared Buddhist-derived belief that one can attain a form of eternity or enlightenment while still in this world through the realization of one's full potential on earth. This tradition is associated particularly with the martial arts, the tea ceremony, and other forms of traditional arts and crafts, as well as with meditation.

DIETARY GUIDELINES OF JAPANESE

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Eat a variety of foods to ensure a well-balanced diet. Eat 30 or more different kinds of food daily.

Maintain ideal body weight. Avoid excessive calorie intake to avoid obesity and adjust physical activity to match daily calorie intake.

Be aware that the type of fat is as important as the quantity. Avoid eating too much fat and use vegetable oils rather than animal fats.

Avoid eating too much salt. Aim for a salt intake of less than 10g/day. Appropriate cooking cuts down excessive salt intake.

Make all activities pertaining to food pleasurable ones. Use mealtimes as occasions for family communication and enjoy cooking at home.

Japanese Eating Customs - Ritual Expressions

Itadakimasu! (ritual pre-meal expression) Prior to every meal, Japanese people ritualistically say "itadakimasu!" (pronounced "ee-ta-dakey-mas", and which basically means: "I humbly receive this food") as an expression of appreciation for the food they are about to consume. Kan-pai! (proposing a toast) This is the Japanese word used when proposing a toast someone or something or saying "cheers!"

Oi-shii de-su! (this tastes good!) As in any culture, your host may ask you how you like your food. This is what you should say. (oishii is pronounced "oi-she").

Go-chi-so-sama de-shita! (ritual post-meal expression) This is the Japanese expression used at the end of every meal to thank the host or cook for the delicious food you have received.00

REFERENCES TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CUSTOM. www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/nursing/tradjapan2.htm Japanese communication styles. www.rikkinyman.com/training/japanese_culture/communication.htm Japan values and beliefs. www.countrystudies.us/japan/58.htm Traditional health practices. www.hawaii.edu/nursing/japan1.htm Japanese families. www.schoollink.org/usjf/lecture4eng.japanese_families.htm Japanese religion and expressive culture www.everyculture.com/east_summer_asia/japanese_religion-andexpressive-culture.htm Dietray guidelines of japan www.afic.org/its%20a%20small%20%world%20after%all20dietary%20guidelines%20arou nd%20the%20world.htm

PROJECT IN HEALTH ASSESSMENT JAPANESE CULTURES SUBMMITED BY THESSA P. MELLIZA SUBMITTED TO MS