I recently was directed to a Facebook thread
in a page I follow which posed the question:
An interesting conversation ensued in the comments section, and a lot of really pertinent points were raised. I wanted to add my 2 yen as a foreigner and voluntaryist who has been living here for over 7 years now.
As far as violent crimes go, Japan is comparatively, and even remarkably, peaceful, as compared to other places in the world. Here's why I think this is so:
CULTURE in general (even prior to industrialization/westernization)
- GENUINE MINDFULNESS OF/CARE FOR OTHERS
- FAMILY HONOR
- PLACING "WA," OR HARMONY HIGH ON THE VALUE SCALE
- FEAR / SHAME
- NON-VIOLENCE AS THE "ONLY OPTION"
Please enjoy the video above, and let me know what you think, in the comments!
~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)
Random uninformed opinion incoming:
Can I say that their culture of politeness is strict and allows broad scope for people to issue a correction with the offender normally first apologising for their behaviour and thanking the corrector.
Since the politeness and behaviour expected is so far away from violence that anybody tending towards violence very quickly spotted.
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That's an interesting perspective and I think you may be onto something there, honestly. That dynamic is so far-removed from violence that it likely creates a kind of mental "wall" "limiting" what can be viewed as possible responses.
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I had a similar impression of Japan when I lived there. The only thieves or violent criminals are the truly deviant people, including the yakuza (gangsters) and the bosozoku (youth bike gangs, often the children of yakuza).
Apart from those groups, one is in almost no danger of having anything stolen or of being a victim of any violence.
Even the yakuza and bosozoku will generally leave you alone. And the only time I or my friends had any confrontations with them, there was more bluster and shouting and tough-boy posturing than any danger.
The other danger is from the occasional sociopath / psychopath. But even they are usually not malicious or malevolent. They're just sick.
(An interesting note: When I lived in Singapore, some of my office mates were Japanese women. They told me that they felt safer in Singapore than in Japan. Primarily because there is that small percentage of Japanese psychopath that just might be lurking somewhere in the dark.)
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Really interesting about the Japanese women in Singapore. Thanks for your engaging commentary. Really enjoyed reading this and agree with pretty much everything you've written. Cheers!
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I always say Japan is very safe for men (particularly adults), but much less so for women/girls. Know lots of people who have been harassed/assaulted.
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Right. Now that I read that, I realize that is probably so.
Even if it's not actually "dangerous" for women, it is in many ways unpleasant. Think of all the chikan and hentai scumballs, and the soft porn in comic books for young boys.
Definitely not a society in which women would feel safe and secure.
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@kafkanarchy84 Yeah Japan is on the 5th rank among peaceful asian countries. National constitution is playing a great role in this matter.
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HEy japan A PAkistani would come to you in future :D haha :D surely :D
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Hey Graham, CJ here. I first want to congratulate you on your completion of your first marathon (I meant to on Tuesday, but forgot). It is honestly very inspiring, and I was moved to tears reading your final post about it. Thanks for sharing that with us.
Regarding the topic at hand, I'm surprised no one brought up the issue I've seen mentioned a lot during discussions of violence in the US compared to other countries, which is homogeneity.
I think it's much easier for people to get along in places that have cultural homogeneity versus the huge amount of diversity in the US. The wide range of different cultures and ethnicities present in many American cities is a double edged sword, with the benefit of diversity and the drawback of lots of conflict and distrust between different groups of people. Most small cities and towns in the US with more homogeneous populations are quite safe. It's the big cities where crime becomes common due to people having less respect for those outside their ethnic or cultural group, among other factors including broken homes and the teen parent rate, which is much higher than in Japan. Kids from these backgrounds are less likely to learn good values.
Add to that the much stricter immigration policies of Japan, usually only accepting highly skilled workers, compared to the many poorer low skilled workers that come to the US, Latinos and others, whose kids grow up in ghettoes, furthering the group mentality.
Scandinavian countries that have also been very homogeneous and known for being safe are now rife with violence between natives and what they view as Muslim immigrants "invading" their country and culture.
Having gun ownership or not has nothing to do with violence rates compared to all these other factors.
People typically are peaceful with those they see as being in their in-group. I've heard from acquaintances who are foreigners in Japan that they get treated like shit at their workplace oftentimes. It would be interesting to see how peaceful many Japanese would be if some other ethnic groups moved there in large numbers and were "invading and taking over their country." From what I've heard, they have a lot of ethnic pride, similar to Scandinavians. And if dark skinned people started moving there? Forget about it.
Sucks to hear how strict they are with drugs. Having grown up with a strict Filipino mom though, I'm not surprised. As a side note, I've been told that some other Asian groups don't see Filipinos as Asian because of their Spanish blood, thanks to centuries of Empire. But I digress.
I have more thoughts on this but this comment is already long enough, haha.
Keep it real!
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Hey man. Great to see you on here.
I definitely agree that homogeneity often helps to minimize conflict. The caveat I would put on that, though, is that (as I am sure we both agree) forced inclusion and forced exclusion (via statism/borders/state violence) are illegitimate.
I think that there could definitely be (and that there already are) very multicultural societies that are able to exist in relative peace, but that when the state forces people to "intergrate" or to stay away, based on non-private property-based "laws," everybody loses.
Individualists know that if principles are shared, private property is respected, and association is neither forced nor prohibited, there can be peaceful societies of all types--homogenous or otherwise.
It is largely the statist potato types that are not able to handle individuals not of their own cultural background, but again, there is absolutely nothing or illegitimate or wrong about preferring to associate with one's own culture, either, even exclusively. The problem is when the state ignores private property and attempts to force this, or prohibit it.
It's a tough issue. But pretty simply solved if everything is privatized. One example that stands out to me, though, is the south side of Chicago. In many ways quite homogenous, and still one of the most dangerous places in the world, regarding homicides.
Hope we can talk about this more soon.
You too!
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Great post, Japan is really a different world, the mix between traditionnal way and modern way create an unique environnement. Definitively a peaceful country.
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@originalworks
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Being a visitor to Japan several times, I always enjoyed the peaceful and politeness of the culture. I think though that you forgot to include 'deterrence' (which affects honor I suppose) as a contributor to that lack of crime statistic. Now discrimination, that is another topic of discussion.
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Yes Japan is ranked 5 th most peaceful country in world..the people of this country may be very proud for this....when you love all the people ,respect every one....there will be no violence ....and the country become very peaceful....
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Yes, of course the the situation of a country depends upon the satisfaction and dissatisfaction of the public from certain angle.. It is not possible to fulfil all the needs and demands of those citizens within a short period of time.. of a particular govement.If we wait patiently instead of creating any violent situation, then the peace of that country will exist and Govement will take the time to judge the situation... May be Japanese people, so choose non-violence to get a peaceful country... Beside those of the good quality "care for others "is also an important factor to continue the bond between each and every people of the country..." Unity is a great power"..Thanks for your post taking your lovely country..
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@kafkanarchy84 Excellent, follow up . Thank you very much
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Nice to hear that your country is among the top ten peaceful countries of the world...It totally depends on the individuals residing there.. Feel sad as the state where we live in is just the opposite of yours..there are guns with people, extremist groups, attacks on people, murders and what not..
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Yes.
I am very sorry to hear this. Where are you, @momi5?
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I am from Assam, a north eastern state of India..
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Guns with people???? SLAVERY!!!
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It's the 20 guns every Japanese has, of course! Everyone knows guns are the only way to keep yourself safe!
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He he he. While I am sure we disagree about the topic of gun ownership, @lennstar, I do enjoy living in a place where I am not threatened by folks with guns. Well, save the cops and statists. ;)
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were you ever threatened with a gun by an omawarisan?
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Sure, every day.
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Japan has been 9th in the list of the Most Peaceful Places in the World according to the recent survey, though it has dropped from 5th position; the highest amongst all the Asian countries [I think so >.<] . But, ever wondered what makes Japan that peaceful to live in? Well, i don't know myself exactly but I've attempted to get to the root of it, i hope it may satisfy the the query!
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I guess it doesn't need a religion to have peace in a country.... pure thoughts and scientific approach towards life will always lead to peace....
anyways....
great post....!!!
upvoted and followed..!!!
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You're right. Less than 40% of the population of Japan identify with organized religion. The U.S. is also heading that way but it's obvious that the first thing to be lost will be culture and morals!
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The fun thing is that more then 100% of Japanese practice religion :D
Because the 2 most dominant religions - buddhism and shintoism - don't interfere with each other, they have different realms you could say.
So you go to the shrine for New Year and to the temple to greet your dead mother - and you can check practised religion 2 times ;)
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You totally missed an accurate statistic I posted.
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You totally missed that identifying with religion and doing religious things or doing something at religious sites are two completely different things.
I admit my stat with nearly 130% is already 20 old, but I don't think it has gone down under 100%.
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Why would someone practice religion if they do not believe in it? Maybe you need to do more research. Religious practices are in decline in Japan, and have been for many years.
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tradition, fun, friends are going...
for example here about 50% of people who ever go to a church service go only one day a year - at Christmas. They don't believe in the christian God, they don't identify with the religion as your measurement was, but they still are aware they do a religious thing.
btw:
That is completely Bullshit. A certain culture will be "lost", to be replaced with something else, yes. But morals? LOL!!
Religion is preventing people from being moral. Because instead of thinking what they are doing and doing it according to moral, they just follow whatever religious instance tells them.
And yes, this has been proven by (Oh My God!!) Science.
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wow...peace is what everyone needs..thanks for your add...upped
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Thanks for the valuable information about Japan's culture, culture of living, social security, behavior, crimes and punishment good side and dark side etc. From your post it signifies that Japan and Japanese people are peace loving, your wife travel everywhere without fear, thanks for sharing such a beautiful post, where people live like true happiness and joy. Wish you good luck friend.
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One thing I picked up on when in Japan was the lack of petty crime. The shame attached to such activities seemed to me to be a big part of that. The honour instilled in the children may have been blamed for the causes of many terrible things during war time however having honour and respect is something lacking in the western world. We can learn much from the societies of the East.
Petty theft and vandalism is a blight on the West and needs addressing, if people had more respect, honour and pride as is seen in Japan I'm sure we'd have such a society too.
Great post buddy.
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Japanese people are preoccupied with their creativity rather than occupying themselves with unimportant things. maybe because they are so peaceful
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I think all the good things start from the Family. And most of the credits should go to family. Everyone comes from a family from where they are learning everything . A good, harmonious family can provide good citizens which , at later period, will contribute to make the country more people. Morality is highly practiced there.
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Amasing info form japan thanks for information kafkanarchy
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thanks for the tell regarding the job
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Great posts can be useful can be an experience. Hopefully be a friend who can help me to like you ..... to dream and hope to be achieved. Like @sinta need friend support. Best regards.
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Nice post and story
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They only became like that after they were defeated in WWII. Before that, they were violent and cruel like most other nations. Remarkable transformation in such a short time.
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All states are violent. “They” is a collectivist generalization. You are correct that the state and its soldiers were as brutal as any other. That said, Confucianism and Buddhism did affect much of the populace as well. “They” simply cannot provide an accurate assessment.
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