I found the last lecture especially interesting because I am currently learning about and experiencing Japanese culture for the very first time. Before coming to Japan, I knew there might be a few differences, but I was not expecting them to be that significant. I also always thought that these were simply differences in behaviour, but after hearing and learning about the concept of Power Distance, I could understand these differences on a deeper cultural level.
The main basis of the concept is that there is inequality in every country, but the difference is to what extent people accept and expect an unequal distribution of power. The conclusion of this is that in low Power Distance cultures/countries, people are more likely to question authorities, while in high Power Distance cultures/countries, people tend to accept clear hierarchies.
In the example of Japan and Germany, after using the Country Comparison Tool, we can clearly see the differences in Power Distance between the two countries. For example, Germany scores 35 in Power Distance, while Japan scores 54. In Germany, I am used to communicating relatively directly with professors and expressing disagreement. In Japan, communication with teachers and people in higher positions often seems more formal and respectful.
The largest and most interesting difference, in my opinion, is Long-Term Orientation: Germany scores 57, while Japan scores 100. This explains the strong emphasis on preparation, consistency, and long-term thinking that Japanese people are known for. All in all, this tool reflects my own experiences in Japan really well.
However, cultural models should never be treated as absolute. After doing my own research, I found out that national cultures change over time and across generations (Beugelsdijk & Welzel, 2018). As it should be, many researchers have questioned Hofstede’s concept and whether all of its dimensions remain equally valid today (Minkov & Kaasa, 2022). For example, Touburg (2016) argued that individuals should not simply be reduced to their national culture.
All in all, this lecture changed how I interpret my experiences in Japan and in other countries. The next time, instead of judging behaviour simply as different, I’ll try to understand the deeper meaning behind it.
