ブックタイトル佐藤栄作論文集９～１６

概要

佐藤栄作論文集９～１６

第14回最優秀賞by many Japanese themselves. 9 Many observers have argued that Japan’s insular -and even parochial - culture and Confucian emphasis upon group orientation ratherthan individualism foster severe restrictions upon its ability to project creativeinternational leadership onto the international stage. The attendant cultural facetssuch as self effacement and conformity are often said to underpin this. This tendencyhas a philosophical parallel: the inclination amongst the Japanese people is to embodya communitarian ethos, whereby values have meaning only in the context of agroup, society, or country. Thus, ideas of‘rights’and citizenship, for example, are anextension of a particular society’s culture, history and social processes. This is lesslikely to support abstract, universalist or cosmopolitan principles in foreign policy, andit is more likely to imbue a sense of non-interference in the affairs of other states. Inthe field of human rights, such a cultural backdrop is less likely to support a crusadingstance which infringes upon the sensibilities of another country.These traits are arguably not only the result of recent historical experience, but alsoa testament to a deeper cultural disposition to favour stability and harmony ratherthan potentially hazardous change, and pragmatism rather than strongly principledstances. Perhaps the emphasis upon consensus also reduces the ability to makeforthright, clear and prompt decisions. The tendency towards seniority, conformityand group orientation - some would even argue that individualism, creativity andleadership are discouraged - can likewise be projected into Japan’s internationalcontacts. In Japan there is a commonly observed distinction between tatemae - thepretense - and honne - the reality - in social interaction. This can underlie a lot ofinteraction and certain things are left unsaid. This can appear as an impediment todirect, sincere communication. Arguably, Japan’s handling of a number of issues hassuffered from communication problems. Several well-intentioned attempts to apologize9 My interviews. See also Masao Miyamoto, Straitjacket Society: An Insider’s Irreverent View of Bureaucratic Japan,Tokyo, Kodansha International, 1994, pp.20-21; Kaji Nobuyuki,‘Japan and the Confucian Cultural Sphere’, Japan Echo,vol.23, Special Issue, 1996; Kaji Nobuyuki,‘The Confucian Roots of Japanese Religiosity’, Japan Echo, vol.22, no.4, 1995.531