Life in China as compared to life in Japan
Both culture and society are somewhat similar,
but different from one another. Culture consist of people’s beliefs, their
behavior, their way of perceiving things and people around them. Society on the
other hand is a group of people who share the same values, customs, languages,
norms, rules, tools, etc. People with same values, beliefs, and behaviors,
languages, customs, etc. are often group as a society. This assignment is an
ethnographic comparison between the Chinese and the Japanese society’s standard
of living
This article is an ethnographic comparison of
two societies, the Chinese and the Japanese. In this article, we will evaluate
each society separately according to their living style, their degree of
wealth, as well as the level of comfort available to people living in society.
We will also make a comparison between those societies in order to pinpoint
their differences and similarities.
The Chinese
Culture and Its Standard of Living
China is an extremely large country by number of
people and land as well. It is located at the east side of the world’s largest
continent known as Eurasia and the Western ocean known as Pacific. This society
is one of the oldest culture and societies. It is dated back to more than
10,000 years. It is estimated there are over 1 billion Chinese that are
composed of many ethnic groups known as Han Chinese, which is the largest group
in the Chinese society, followed by Tibetans, Mongols, Manchus, Naxi, and
Hezhen.
China also has a very rich culture where
families, self-discipline, harmony, and order are very valued. According to
their culture, family is the basic unit of society and individual are only one
part of the family. This means, in order to be regarded with respect it is
important for one to have a family and able to manage that family well. The
blood relationship between father and son is the center of that society. In
fact, it is not unusual to find up to four generation living under one roof in
China. However, as things change around the world so does society, for that
reason, in the modern Chinese society only it is more common to find two generation
living under one roof.
The daily life in china is quite different as
compared to other societies around the world. The way they dress, their food
types, as well as their behaviors are exceptional. In the Chinese society, it
is important to stay in harmony with nature and everything on earth, based on
how one thinks and behaves. Relationships between one another is very
exceptional as well. They treat each other with respect and give values to one
another especially the oldest. In fact, tracking back ancestors and their way
of living is a common practice among Chinese.
China also has one of the fastest growing
economies and one of the world’s most fascinating standard of living. According
to ICP, despite being the fastest growing economy in the world the per capita
between people living in China and other industrialized countries remains very
deep. It is estimated, people living in China only $9,900 a year as compared to
Japan where people make 36,000 a year or the U.S. whereas of last year, it is
estimated people’s per capita income right around 51,749 a year. This means,
despite being the world fastest growing economy, the Chinese living standard
remains less than 30% of the living standard in Japan.
China is a society of multi religions where
Christianity, Judaism, and other types of beliefs are present. However,
Buddhism and Christianity are the largest religions in China. Buddhism is a
religion that’s been widely and gradually accepted by the Chinese. In fact, it
is estimated that more than 200 million people are Buddhism while 33 million
are Christians. Buddhism was brought to china about 2,000 years ago and it is
divided into three sections: the Han, the Tibetans, and Southern Buddhism.
Social issues the Chinese society is facing are:
corruption; in fact, last year alone China condemned more than 182,000 of its
officials on corruption charges. Pollution is also a serious issue in China. In
fact, according to research only 3 out of 74 cities are not polluted. Economic
issues, despite being the world’s largest economy, Chinese society has one of
the world’s slowest economy and one of the worst world’s societies’ per capita.
Japanese
Culture and Living Standard
Japan is a chain of Islands that are estimated
to 3,000, situated in the east side of Asia. According to experts, the Japanese
population is right around 125 million, composed of northeast Asians with
others from the China coast, Southeast Asia, and Polynesia. Just like the Chinese
culture, the Japanese culture is very fascinating. However, it is known as a
multifaceted and an ever-changing culture due to the fact that it has evolved a
lot for the past years.
In fact, research shows the Japanese society has
absorbed many ideas from other cultures or countries, such as Asian and Western
cultures, over its course of history. This includes but not limited to
technology, customs, and cultural expressions to name a few. And, with that
collection they form their own unique and most fascinating culture in the
world. However, despite the ever-changing mode of the Japanese culture, it
remains much attached to its old traditions that are dated back thousands of
years.
Just like the Chinese culture, respect and
harmony among people in Japan is very important. In fact, this is a society
that is being structured everyone regardless of his/her race or country of
origin as acceptable and should be respected as such. Those who do not function
within these norms are seen as outsiders who lack legitimate status. Since the
Japanese society is very inclusive and accept and respect everyone’s behavior,
there is no doubt this is what generates so much harmony between people in Japan.
In fact, when comparing harmony with other
societal values and norms, such as honest, frankness, and discipline, it is
evident the Japanese society values harmony between its people more than
anything else. Having say that, honest, trust, frankness, etc. are still
important, if functioning within the Japanese society. However, most of them
are seen as values that can be only be earned through one’s continuous
conformity.
People’s behavior in the Japanese culture are
characterized by four key factors: one most follow his/her mentors’ behavior,
one must avoid social embarrassment by following the contextual behavioral
expectations of others, one must do activities according to his/her specified
right process, and the context of behavior. This means, the status of those
interacting. Self-discipline and meditation also play an important role in the
Japanese society. This society is built on collectivism values just like the
Chinese society does.
The most common religion in Japan are the Shinto
and Buddhism. Shinto religion is as old as the Japanese culture, while the
Buddhism is seen as an imported religion from China and other part of Asia
where Buddhism is being practiced. Due to the harmony that exists among the
Japanese people, there have not been any conflict between those two religions,
they both coexist quiet well. The harmony between them are exceptional and,
according to experts, sometimes they complemented each other.
Japanese
Daily Living
Japanese economy is a growing economy, which
positively affects people per capita across the country. It is estimated that
an individual’s per capita in Japan is as high as $36,000 a year. This is a
great improvement when comparing this country’s newest per capita with its per
capita of 1980s. The key success to this society standard of living is that, as
the economy grow people invest more in the economy by buying more expensive
items and live a more luxurious life. As a result, the economy grows, and as the
economy grow, people are earning more money.
However, despite being one of the most stable
and prosperous country, Japan has its own issues as well. Japan is a country
that is dealing with many social issues for quiet sometime. Recession is one of
the Japanese biggest social problems. Since the world’s
economic meltdown, it seems like the Japanese’s economy has not been able to
fully recover from the disaster. As a result, it causes people to protest on
the streets for governmental reform.
Crime is also another problem Japan is facing.
Despite the fact that Japan is one of the safest country or society, there are
serious concerns about violent and property crimes for the past years.
According to the Japanese government, most of those crimes are being committed
by foreigners not Japanese. Another social issue Japan is facing is the right
of women. Even though in their constitution it is forbidden to discriminate
against a person based on his/her gender or sex, but yet fewer women attend
universities, workforce, and government offices as compare to men.
Standard of
Living Comparison
Despite the fact these two countries have shared
so many things in values, history, and traditions; China and Japan are two
different countries when comparing their societies’ standard of living.
China is a lot bigger and a lot larger country
as compared to Japan in population and size of the lands, people in Japan
living a much better life than those in China. In fact, it is estimated that
people’s per capita in Japan is as close as 30% higher than those living in
China. Unemployment rate in China is also higher than the Japanese’s
unemployment rate. According to research, more than 4% of the Chinese
population are unemployed while in Japan, only 3% of its population are
unemployed.
Key Words: Life in China, Life in Japan
Key Words: Life in China, Life in Japan
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