Japan Watching: Society, Politics, Culture, Economy, Environment, And the World

This was the title of a highly influential bestseller by American intellectual Ezra Vogel.  These days, Japan’s economy is no longer number one, if it ever was.  Next year it will drop back to number three, as it will be overtaken by China.

But today, the Michelin guide Tokyo 2010 to the best hotels and restaurants has declared this wonderful city to be number one!

I asked Watanabe-san about wabi-sabi.  “That’s difficult, even we Japanese do not understand that”, she replied.  “I don’t really know what it means”, said Saiko-san.  

But all the Japanophile foreigners in Tokyo are talking about wabi-sabi.  They see it in art, design, food, music and even people.  Could wabi-sabi just be another Asian cultural fantasy that these Westerners have latched onto?

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama recently visited Japan.  He spoke of globalization, the financial crisis, climate change, compassion and warm-heartedness.

France and Japan have had a longtime love affair.  The Japanese admire French culture, especially Impressionist Painting, and are also big buyers of French luxury products.  Likewise, the French love Japanese Zen design, cuisine and above all manga.  Outside of Japan, Paris is the world’s capital for manga.

When French tourists come to Japan, they are amazed by a country seemingly like their own, as the Japanese have managed to maintain their traditions in the face of the forces of globalization and Americanization.   They are also delighted by the great courtesy of the Japanese people.

Unfortunately, the reverse is not the case.  Many Japanese tourists are shocked and disappointed by their visit to Paris – to such a point that they suffer from the “Paris Syndrome”. 

One of the most striking things in Japan is that you never see anyone kissing in public.  In France, people kiss all the time in the street -- to such a point that Joni Mitchell once wrote and sang a song entitled "In France they kiss on main street".

In international relations, soft power is the ability of a nation to achieve its objectives by co-opting, attracting and seducing other nations rather than by using carrots or sticks.  You have to win their hearts and minds.  The benefits of military victories are often short-lived.  

Old habits die hard.  Cultural values and traditions are passed from generation to generation by families and society.  Change does take place, but usually slowly unless contact with the outside world provokes sudden change.

Confucianism was perhaps one of China's greatest cultural exports.  And most of the East Asian countries, like Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam, that benefited from this ethical and philosophical system, have followed the creed in terms of placing great importance on education for citizens' moral development.  This is one of the reasons why these countries have enjoyed such economic success, especially compared with Africa and Latin America.

Asia has become a global titan with Japan and China having the world's second and third largest economies.  They both have immense foreign exchange reserves, substantially invested in US Treasury bonds.  Elsewhere in Asia, Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population, and also has a vibrant but fragile democracy with presidential elections coming up in a few days.