CONTEXT

In-charge Sun; Gene

Japan is known as the land of the rising sun.

The term Kanji translates to sun origin because from the Chinese point of view, the sun
rises from Japan, the island country located in Southeast Asia.

Japan consists of over 6800 islands.

Four largest islands that make up about 97% of Japan’s land area are:

1. Honshu
2. Hokkaido
3. Shikoku
4. Kyushu

There are 47 prefectures in Japan. More than 70% of Japan is mountains.

The tallest mountain is the Mt. Fuji at 3776 meters.

There are more than 1500 earthquakes a year.

Japan has the population of around 126,000,000 people which is less than in half of the
population of the United States, yet the area of Japan is just slightly larger than the
area of California.

Japan has the third largest economy in the world behind the United States and China.
Japan has the second highest life expectancy, women’s life expectancy is 87 while the
men can expect to live until 80.

Japanese is the official language of Japan.

In Japan has the Prime Minister and not the President but Japan also has an Emperor.

Japan enjoys all four seasons: Summer is quiet hot and humid in many parts of Japan.
There is a rainy season that last for about six weeks from early to mid-summer.
Summer usually lasts from June to August with three to four week of rainy season.
Winter is especially cold in the north part of Honshu and Hokkaido. Snowfall occurs
almost everywhere in Hokkaido and in the Tohoku region. Winter lasts from December
to February. Autumn is a very popular time of the year with many people taking in the
beautiful autumn colors in and around the country side. After the end of hot and humid
summer season, autumn arrives in Japan. It creates a nice atmosphere with light cool
breeze. Fall in Japan is usually between September and November. Spring is especially
popular time for friends, family and co-worker together in the park for cherry blossoms
season. According to many, the best time to visit Japan is in the spring. Spring in Japan
is usually between March and May. Temperatures are pleasant and sunny.

The culture of respect is one of the most important values in Japanese society. It
reflected in Japanese language, manners and customs.

Status in hierarchy are important in modern Japanese society. Just like what they work
in Feudal Japan. Most relationships in Japanese society are not equal. One person
position is higher than the others. Positions are determined by place within the family
and organization as well as job, age and experience. Japanese company workers
respect their managers, students respect their teachers, families respect their elders,
sporting team respect their coaches, and Japanese people respect their the emperor
and the imperial family.

One way for Japanese people to show respect is to bow. They also bow instead of
shaking hands. The depth of the bow varies according to who you are greeting.
Japanese people bow even when they are talking on their phone.

Japanese people give meishi, this name cards introduce people to one another. They
give meishi when meeting new people, clients or customers instead of shaking hands.
When you offer a meishi, hold a card in both hands and bow.

Japanese people are very friendly and welcoming to foreign and local tours. These
customers called omotenashi, it reflects the Japanese respect for other people and their
humility in the way they interact with them. When you visit Japan you will see that
people always wait very patiently and they show respect for each others. They never
push and shout.

Japanese language has an extensive grammatical system for expressing politeness,

respect and humility which is called “keigo”.

Here is example of keigo: a very polite and humble introduction. ~~~(1. Shock)

There are three types of keigo: Sonkeigo, Kenjougo, Teineigo.

All verbs in Japanese have these three forms. Using them correctly is essential for
functioning in japan. Example to eat ~~~ (1. Shock)
Sonkeigo is respectful language, if you are speaking respectfully about your Japanese
teacher you would say this ~~~ (Yang 2)

Kenjougo is modest or humble language that you use about yourself ~~~ (Yang 2)

Teineigo is honorific or polite language it doesn’t refer to any particular person. ~~~
(Reymon 3)

Sonkeigo or respectful. Kenjougo or humble. Teineigo or polite language.

One way to show respect is in a way you would address people. Always say and write
“san” after other’s people names. ~~~ (Reymon 3)

Sometimes male put “kun” after their names. ~~~ (Jelin 4)

There are no Japanese word for Mr, Mrs, and Ms. But using “san” after people’s name
has a similar function. To show great respect you use use “sama” after people’s name
instead of ‘san’.~~~ (Jelin 4)

When addressing a teacher, university professor, politician, doctor, or martial art

teachers you use “sensei” instead of ‘san’ or ‘sama’. Sensie in kanji means previous life
which implies having great wisdom. ~~~ ( Stephanie 5)

In Japanese there is often a polite form as well as a casual form which one you use
depends on your audience. For example when speaking to your own family and friends,
you can use casual Japanese. ~~~ (Stephanie 5)

But when talking to people who are older than you, polite Japanese or respectful
Japanese must be use. ~~~ (darren 6)

To make some nouns polite simply add “o” or “ga’ in front of the nouns when you ask a
question you put “o or ga” in front of the nouns. ~~~ (darren 6)

It’s always important to be polite to other people in Japanese and humble about
yourself. To make some expressions polite, you add “Gozaimasu”. ~~~ (gene 7)

Polite verbs end with “mas”. The mastery of politeness is very important in
understanding how Japanese society functions and the core values of respect for others
and humility are perhaps one we should always try practicing everyday.

That would be all, we hope you find it interesting! Thankyou