"Common view" is usually very inaccurate. More principled cultural measures like Hofstede's don't measure individuality of individuals (sic). They measure re

"Common view" is usually very inaccurate. More principled cultural measures like Hofstede's don't measure individuality of individuals (sic). They measure relative differences in a group of people from another in the terms of the culture and values as they are collectively represented in institutions and behavioral norms. In Hofstede's cultural dimensions Japanese uncertainty avoidance may be interpreted and perceived as 'low individuality' because it restricts expression of expressing ideas and individual behavior. It does not mean that Japanese are drones without ideas as individuals. They must express new ideas using different channels when working inside Japanese culture. Hofstede's ranking for individualism for select countries: US 91 Japan 46 China 20 Japan ranks culturally quite high in individualism when compared to other East Asian nations. Japanese society does not have extended family system which forms a base of more collectivistic societies such as China and Korea. Where they really separate from the rest is masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, low indulgence and power distance. In contrast, Chinese uncertainty avoidance is very low. Lover than in the US. --- Short definitions to avoid confusion from literal interpretation of the terms (these terms don't mean exactly the same what the common meaning is): individualism: the degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members. In Individualist societies people are supposed to look after themselves and their direct family only. In Collectivist societies people belong to ‘in groups’ that take care of them in exchange for loyalty. power distance: the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organizations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally. masculinity: indicates that the society will be driven by competition, achievement and success, with success being defined by the winner / best in field – a value system that starts in school and continues throughout organizational life. A Feminine society is one where quality of life is the sign of success and standing out from the crowd is not admirable (Sweden is opposite of Japan in this axis). uncertainty avoidance: the degree to which the members of a society feel uncomfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity. Strong uncertainty avoidance means maintaining rigid codes of belief and behaviour, and are intolerant of unorthodox behaviour and ideas. indulgence: the extent to which people try to control their desires and impulses. Culturally less emphasis on leisure time and control the gratification of their desires.