7 surprising differences between japanese & australian culture
So, if you’d met me in person, or had a read of my other articles, you’d know that I’m obsessing over my upcoming trip to Japan. In honour of my newfound obsession, I’ve been doing some random but relevant research about Japanese culture. For me, when travelling to a new place, I obviously want to maintain my identity as an Australian nomad, but I also feel strongly about respecting the culture of the new city or country that I’m travelling to. Yes. Australian pride. But let’s also get to know and assimilate in the new city and culture that we’re going to be immersed in.
I find Japanese culture fascinating. I think it’s quite similar to Korean culture — but not being surrounded by many Koreans right now, and given my parents being very liberal, Australianised Koreans — it often feels quite foreign for me to read about the respectful, collectivist, conservative nature of the culture in some East Asian countries.
From my limited, but passionate and growing interest, I’ve learnt about a whole heap of differences between Japanese and Australian culture. Here are a few differences I found quite surprising:
1) Values
Japanese culture values harmony, respect, and group solidarity. In Japan, building relationships is an important part of doing business and socialising. People network and invest in their relationships by giving gifts, showing respect through demonstrating loyalty. These are important milestones in building and maintaining relationships.
Group solidarity is another key value in Japanese culture. The concept of "uchi-soto," which refers to the distinction between insiders and outsiders, is important in Japanese society, and individuals are expected to prioritise the interests of their group over those of outsiders.
In contrast, Australian culture values individualism, freedom, and egalitarianism. We place strong emphasis on personal freedom and self-expression and encourage people to pursue their own goals and interests. Australians also tend to have a more informal communication style, and frequently use humor, light bullying (as a form of love) and sarcasm.
Australians also believe in the value of democracy. We place strong emphasis on equality and social justice, which is reflected in various aspects of Australian society, including the country's political and legal systems.
2) Communication
Japanese communication tends to be indirect, with people using non-verbal cues and context to convey their meaning. Japanese culture values indirect communication and avoiding confrontation. Therefore, Japanese people might not be as forward and assertive with their confrontation and are more comfortable with silence.
In contrast, us Australians tend to be more direct and assertive in our communication style. We see more Australians speaking up about certain issues that might pop up, and express things that are important to them. Us Aussies value straight-forward, open and honest communication, which may be seen as rude, or have some Japanese people taken-aback by if they’re not familiar with our culture.
3) Social norms
Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on social etiquette and politeness. Japan is also a collectivist culture, which means that the emphasis is on the group-thinking rather than the individual. It's important to maintain social harmony and avoid conflict in Japan. It’s quite common for Japanese people tend to prioritise the needs of the group over their own needs. Japanese culture also places strong emphasis on respect for authority and hierarchy (as mentioned above). In Japan, age, seniority, and social status are all important factors in determining how people interact with each other.
Australian culture is a little more relaxed and informal. Respect is still an important part of Australian culture, but there is more of an emphasis on egalitarianism and a belief in the value of democracy here in the land down under. We also have more of an individualistic culture here in Australia, where we highly value personal freedom and self-expression.
4) Food
Japanese and Australian cultures have distinct culinary traditions that reflect their unique histories, geographies, and cultural values. There are key differences in food culture between Japan and Australia from ingredients, preparation, dining customs and snacks.
Japanese cuisine is often known for its use of fresh, seasonal ingredients and a focus on umami, or sweet/savory flavor. Common ingredients in Japanese cuisine include fish, rice, vegetables, soy sauce, and miso. Australian cuisine, on the other hand, is influenced by a wide range of cultural traditions. Having so many amazing cultures mixed together in the land down under means that we’re exposed to a huge range of cuisines. Australians commonly use ingredients like beef, lamb, kangaroo, seafood, and a variety of fruits and vegetables in our cooking.
When it comes to preparing food, Japanese cuisine places a strong emphasis presenting their food with simplicity and elegance. Japanese cooking techniques such as grilling, simmering, and steaming are used to bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients. In contrast, Australian cuisine tends to be more varied in terms of cooking techniques, perhaps less minimalistic and cookie-cutter perfect, with more of a focus on grilling, roasting, and frying meat.
Japanese meals are often served family-style, with a variety of dishes spread across the table which are all shared among everyone seated at the table. Japanese people also highly value dining etiquette, like using chopsticks, slurping noodles, and saying "itadakimasu" before eating. In Australia, we often plate up individual meals. Sharing dishes is less common. We also have a more relaxed approach to dining etiquette.
In Japan, food is deeply intertwined with cultural traditions and values, and there is a strong emphasis on the concept of "washoku," or traditional Japanese cuisine. Australian cuisine on the other hand is known for its fusion of multicultural influences and casual dining culture.
When it comes to snacking — Japanese culture has a pretty strong tradition. They have a wide variety of sweet and savory snacks available, including street food from vendors selling dishes such as takoyaki (octopus balls) and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers). In Australia, snacks tend to be simpler. We snack on packets of potato chips and chocolate bars. Our street food is a little less sophisticated — we can pop by to a corner shop cafe to find a handmade meat pies and sausage rolls.
5) Work culture
Japan has a strong work ethic. Japanese people tend to value hard work, discipline, and dedication to one's job. The concepts of "honne" (true feelings) and "tatemae" (public face) are also important, which means that people are expected to maintain a certain level of professionalism and decorum in public. Japanese work culture places a strong emphasis on hard work, loyalty, and hierarchical relationships.
Us Aussies work hard too. In Australia, we also have strong work ethic, but there is more of a focus on work-life balance and the importance of leisure time. I mean, who doesn’t love happy hour drinks and a swim on a lunch break? Australian work culture takes a more egalitarian approach to workplace relationships. Meaning, we see colleagues as equals (of course still respecting authorities like managers, directors and partners) — but there isn’t as much of a hierarchical divide between people wearing different hats in an organisation as there is in Japan.
6) Education
Japanese and Australian cultures have different approaches to education, with each country placing emphasis on different values and priorities.
In Japan, education is highly valued, and the education system is known for its rigor and emphasis on academic achievement. The school year begins in April and ends in March, and students are required to attend school for six years of elementary school, three years of junior high school, and three years of high school. In Australia, education is also highly valued, but the education system is more decentralized, with each state and territory responsible for its own education policies. Students typically attend primary, and high school from the age of five or six until the age of 18 — and it is common for students to leave school early to learn a trade. E.g. In NSW, students can attend TAFE to learn a skill such as floristry or carpentry to work as an apprentice as opposed to following the traditional path to finish year 12.
In Japan, teaching tends to be more traditional, with a strong emphasis on memorization, rote learning, and discipline. Students are expected to show respect for their teachers and work hard to achieve high grades. In Australia, teaching tends to be more student-centered, with an emphasis on creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Students are encouraged to ask questions and participate actively in the learning process.
University entrance exams: In Japan, university entrance exams are highly competitive, and students are required to pass rigorous exams in order to gain admission to top universities. In Australia, university entrance is based on a student's academic performance, as well as other factors such as extracurricular activities, leadership skills, and personal statements.
7) Religion
Japanese and Australian cultures have different approaches to religion.
Japan has a long history of religious diversity, with several major religions coexisting including Shinto, Buddhism, and Christianity. Shintoism is a native religion of Japan, while Buddhism was introduced to the country in the 6th century. Religion often plays a central role in many Japanese people’s daily life as they continue to observe religious customs and practices on a regular basis. This can include visiting Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples, participating in religious festivals, and praying at home altars.
In contrast, Australia has a relatively short history of religious diversity, with the majority of the population being Christian, but also with significant populations of Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus due to the multiculturalism and increasing mix of cultures. In Australia, religion tends to be less central to daily life. A lot of people only visit church at Easter or Christmas, or not at all.
In Japan, religion is often viewed as a cultural tradition. A way of connecting with one's ancestors and community. Japanese people might identify with multiple religions and view them as complementary rather than exclusive. Religion has also traditionally played a significant role in shaping Japanese social norms and values, including concepts of respect, honor, and duty.
In Australia, we view religion more as a matter of personal belief and individual choice. People may identify with a specific religious tradition or may identify as spiritual but not religious. Religion has also played a smaller role in shaping our social norms here in Australia, with secular values such as individualism and egalitarianism being more prominent than religious customs.
These are just a few examples of the differences between Japanese and Australian culture. Did any of these surprise you? Or were they blatantly obvious?
There are definitely some similarities between Japanese and Australian culture, but understanding these stark differences can help avoid misunderstandings and cultural clashes when traveling or working in each other's countries. Respecting cultural differences in general can also help us navigate cross-cultural interactions more effectively and build stronger relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds.
