Discussion on Independence in Japanese Culture

Discussion 6: “Independence”
Question 1: What is the difference in attitude between older and younger generations on the issue of homelessness, according to the film Homeless in Japan? Give two examples and explain why there may be a generational gap on how homelessness is perceived.
We can use two specific examples from the film Homeless in Japan to explain how older generations more commonly have a negative view on the issue of homelessness as younger generations have a more positive outlook. The “Silver Generation” is a reflection of the generational gap and different perceptions on homelessness. This group consists of retirees that worked for the same company their entire lives but their children, due to the recession and effects on employment, will not enjoy the same kind of benefits like a pension and honor for their contributions. The recession caused Japanese companies to hire two to three part time jobs to cover one full time job, which causes the older generation traditions and values to become outdated. Younger generations are forced to fulfill old expectations with drastically different resources, and deviating from old customs causes discomfort in elders’ minds. The following examples will justifies a generational gap on how homelessness is perceived today in Japan.
The first example, of an elder homeless man name Mr. Kawaguchi, represents the negative view on homelessness and the shame older generations acquired after the recession. The recession caused broken families, bankruptcies, and unemployment that significantly affected older generations and their society built around the salaried worker. The hard work mentality of elders does not equal the current conditions and mentality of Japanese youth because the middle class salaried worker lifestyle isn’t nearly as common. The second example, of a young filmmaker names Sugimasa Yamashita, describes the outlook of unemployed Japanese on homelessness as positive because they happily prefer their freedom before re-entering a competitive affluent society. The young homeless community does not view homelessness as an issue but as a choice because they are already happy, and think that attempting to find a job or living a middle class life could lead to unhappiness. Young adults know that irregular work or volunteering will not achieve the goals of past generations and find more comfort in settling among the large homeless community. In conclusion, the recession triggered many changes in Japanese society and is greatly reflected in the views between older and younger generations on the issue of homelessness.

Question 2: Identify two examples from this week's reading of Nakano that shows how stereotyped images can prevent volunteering to be effective and explain.
The reading identifies examples of volunteers in eldercare and the PTA to explain how stereotyped images are preventing effective volunteer work in the community. In describing how PTA members are not acknowledged as volunteers, Nakano states that this exclusion from discussions of voluntarism “reflects the ways in which women’s work becomes marginalized and devalued in the popular media, academia and in everyday practice” in Japan (Nakano, 105). Stereotypically the PTA consists of mothers with young children in school who are fulfilling their duty as a guardian; yet they need assistance from other volunteers to raise their children. The expectation of a person’s duty is to sacrifice a career and income for volunteer work and not even get acknowledged for it would give anyone little incentive to participate.
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In conclusion, the stereotypes and expectations of PTA members and eldercare volunteers create an ineffective work environment for volunteers and prevent a more positive influence in the community.

Discussion Question: Based on watching the film, do you think art can help the issue of homelessness? Why or why not?
Based on Homeless in Japan, I believe art helps the issue of homelessness by lifting others spirits. Artist Junichiro Take, like many other artists, rejects the values of the older generations by attempting to shift the victim of circumstance view of homelessness to a more self-directed lifestyle or individual choice. For example, Take painted murals on over 600 cardboard homes to show respect to the occupants as individual human beings instead of categorizing them with the rest of Japanese society as a contribution to the issue of homelessness. He describes the discrimination against the homeless and how society links the issue to economic problems, but personally believes each individual has different reasons for their lifestyle. For this reason, he does not claim to paint for the homeless; he claims to paint for each person because they all have a purpose other than to be discriminated against. The young cardboard house artist explained his view on the homeless by saying that basically, “living is beautiful and wonderful with lots of surprise”. This is a testament to how younger generations are able to view life through a positive outlook other than through an affluent eye. Shifting attitudes about the issues of homeless through art is certainly a start and I believe it will provide Japanese youth with incentive to start helping each other and rebuild a socially interactive, productive and interdependent community. In conclusion, I believe art can help the issue of homelessness and changing society’s outlook, especially in the younger generations.