Similarities and Differences between Chinese Culture and Japanese Culture
Similarities and Differences between
Chinese Culture and Japanese Culture
All collectives and groups in the world, no matter big countries or small families, have their own cultures. There is no single definition which can suit everyone’s understanding of culture. For example, Hofstede defines culture as ‘something consists of the unwritten rules of the social game’ (Refer to Bibliography No.1, p. 6); Hoebel and Frost define culture as an ‘integrated system of learned behaviour patterns’ (Refer to Bibliography No.2, p. 6); Ferraro offers a definition of culture as ‘everything that people have, think, and do as members of their society’ (Refer to Bibliography No.3, p. 19).
As two important countries on earth, China and Japan have over two thousand years history of cultural exchange. Cultural similarities formed through their mutual communication and cultural differences formed through their respective development, have been fully reflected in the increasingly frequent business activities between both countries with the rapid development of economic globalization in the 21st Century. The following paragraphs will analyze and discuss the Sino-Japanese cultural similarities and differences using theory of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions. (The word ‘Website’ below refers to the website ‘The Hofstede Centre (URL: ‘http://geert-hofstede.com)’ which uses copyrighted information from Professor Geert Hofstede 's books, and has been licensed by Professor Hofstede.)
Similarity No. 1: Absolute obedience to superiors is emphasized both in Chinese and Japanese corporations. Both of their education systems tend to stress the importance of collective solidarity and family harmony. Most Chinese and Japanese are educated to always think for others, to be patient and not too prominent to emphasize their strengths.
During the early phase of business communication, it often appears that corporation representatives from both China and Japan would discuss and dispute over some
Chinese Culture and Japanese Culture
All collectives and groups in the world, no matter big countries or small families, have their own cultures. There is no single definition which can suit everyone’s understanding of culture. For example, Hofstede defines culture as ‘something consists of the unwritten rules of the social game’ (Refer to Bibliography No.1, p. 6); Hoebel and Frost define culture as an ‘integrated system of learned behaviour patterns’ (Refer to Bibliography No.2, p. 6); Ferraro offers a definition of culture as ‘everything that people have, think, and do as members of their society’ (Refer to Bibliography No.3, p. 19).
As two important countries on earth, China and Japan have over two thousand years history of cultural exchange. Cultural similarities formed through their mutual communication and cultural differences formed through their respective development, have been fully reflected in the increasingly frequent business activities between both countries with the rapid development of economic globalization in the 21st Century. The following paragraphs will analyze and discuss the Sino-Japanese cultural similarities and differences using theory of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions. (The word ‘Website’ below refers to the website ‘The Hofstede Centre (URL: ‘http://geert-hofstede.com)’ which uses copyrighted information from Professor Geert Hofstede 's books, and has been licensed by Professor Hofstede.)
Similarity No. 1: Absolute obedience to superiors is emphasized both in Chinese and Japanese corporations. Both of their education systems tend to stress the importance of collective solidarity and family harmony. Most Chinese and Japanese are educated to always think for others, to be patient and not too prominent to emphasize their strengths.
During the early phase of business communication, it often appears that corporation representatives from both China and Japan would discuss and dispute over some
Bibliography: No.2 Hoebel, E.A. & Frost, E.L. 1976. Cultural and Social Anthropology, McGraw-Hill, New York. No.3 Ferraro, G.P. 2002. The Cultural Dimension of International Behavior, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ.