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Some interesting insights into the culture of Japan (and corporations both Japanese and American). Is there a way we could help that would be more amenable to

by dy 16y ago

Some interesting insights into the culture of Japan (and corporations both Japanese and American). Is there a way we could help that would be more amenable to the Japanese culture and way of handling things? Saving face is an important aspect of Asian cultures and if we are truly trying to help them on humanitarian grounds, we should try to become more effective rather than bemoan the fact that they have pride in their culture. It is an interesting test these days to think how would America respond to foreign help/intervention - I didn't follow what happened post-Katrina but it seems like we also downplayed foreign aid and focused on American rescue efforts.

wisty 16y ago
My understanding of face is, you first have to understand that East Asians are often terrible verbal communicators. Americans say that "actions speak louder than words", but in Japan they mean it (even if they don't say it). I think that if you tell them that rescue teams (or nuclear scientists) are en-route, it's wouldn't be seen as piss-poor communication on your behalf, but a unconditional act of friendship. Asking them if they want help will most likely get a "no". I think you may also need to have already made connections with the right people.
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yesbabyyes 16y ago
The US was very slow in asking for help. It officially asked for help one week after the disaster (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_response_to_Hurricane_Katrina http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_response_to_Hurri...). The US also waited over two months to accept any major international help with the Deepwater Horizon disaster (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/06/143771.htm http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/06/143771.htm). I have a friend working in the Swedish Foreign Ministry, with disaster management. She tells me that another problem, except pride, is that many developed countries aren't well prepared to accept help. Apparently, lots of equipment sent to the US during these two crises was just waiting somewhere along the way, because there were no logistics in place to handle international help. It might be a similar situation with Japan.

by dy 16y ago

wisty 16y ago

My understanding of face is, you first have to understand that East Asians are often terrible verbal communicators. Americans say that "actions speak louder than words", but in Japan they mean it (even if they don't say it). I think that if you tell them that rescue teams (or nuclear scientists) are en-route, it's wouldn't be seen as piss-poor communication on your behalf, but a unconditional act of friendship. Asking them if they want help will most likely get a "no". I think you may also need to have already made connections with the right people.

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yesbabyyes 16y ago

The US was very slow in asking for help. It officially asked for help one week after the disaster (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_response_to_Hurricane_Katrina http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_response_to_Hurri...). The US also waited over two months to accept any major international help with the Deepwater Horizon disaster (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/06/143771.htm http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/06/143771.htm). I have a friend working in the Swedish Foreign Ministry, with disaster management. She tells me that another problem, except pride, is that many developed countries aren't well prepared to accept help. Apparently, lots of equipment sent to the US during these two crises was just waiting somewhere along the way, because there were no logistics in place to handle international help. It might be a similar situation with Japan.