Bending Adversity

Bending Adversity: Japan and the Art of Survival by David Pilling, Penguin Books, 2015. 

Essence of Being Japanese

Much of the book is devoted to trying to understand the essence of being Japanese. The Japanese believe that they are unique, but they cannot quite explain in what way. They are artistic, sensitive to nature, and believe in harmony. They are not individualists, like the Americans. The theory of their uniqueness is called Nihonjinron. In some ways, the Japanese believe that they have more in common with Western Europe than with other Asian countries.

Not Dualists

On an encouraging note, the Japanese are not dualists. They do not believe that there are two worlds, a material world and an ideal, spiritual world called heaven, as do the Christians and Muslims. They believe, instead, that the natural world is magical. 

Japanese Industries

Japan became a leader in shipbuilding, steel, automobile manufacturing and consumer electronics. Some examples:  

• Toyota (made the switch from looms to cars under the leadership of Kiichiro Toyoda)

• Just-in-Time Manufacturing (introduced by Taiichi Ohno of Toyota)

• Honda (founded by Soichiro Honda, who went from bicycles to automobiles and motorcycles)

• Sony (founded by Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka)

Minorities

Even though Japan is very ethnically homogenous, there are some minority groups:

• Burakumin: descendants of an untouchable class who were butchers, tanners, and executioners

• Okinawans of the Ryuku Kingdom

• Ainu in Hokkaido