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Exploring Cross-Cultural Diversity: A Comparative Analysis of Communication Styles in

American and Japanese Culture

Kim Alexis Domingo

Bsed-English 1B

Introduction

“Komyunikēshon wa ningen no sōgo sōsa no kihon-teki na yōso desu” in Japanese is

“Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction” in English. The two

aforementioned cultures are known to be vastly different from each other, ranging from

their communication styles to their traditions. As we all know, communication is a valuable

tool for fostering relationships as it facilitates the exchanging of ideas, thoughts, and

information. Interacting with people of the same cultural background is easy, simple, and

smooth, which is not the case when interacting with people from different backgrounds.

Communication that takes place between individuals from different cultural backgrounds is

often referred to as multicultural communication. It is indispensable to note that each

country possesses its own interpretation of meanings. Considering that no culture is entirely

similar, each culture invariably has its own unique understanding of words and

interpretation of actions. Therefore, the ability to navigate and comprehend diversity in

communication styles across cultures is crucial.

This academic paper intends to compare and contrast the communication styles, practices,

and traditions of two distinct cultures: American and Japanese. With a thorough exploration
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of their similarities and differences, we can gain an in-depth understanding of how cultural

factors mold communication dynamics.

Communication Styles

American and Japanese have notable differences in terms of their communication styles,

encompassing both verbal and nonverbal communication.

Verbal Communication

Americans are often recognized for their directness and straightforwardness when

interacting with people. According to the article “Communication with Americans” (n.d.),

Americans prefer to talk in a direct, clear, and concise way, for they value time, and they do

not like to waste time by being indirect. Direct communication is paramount in the United

States, for it is viewed as time-efficient to express themselves directly. Japanese, on the

other hand, are the opposite of being direct and straightforward, for they are known for

being indirect. According to the article "Japanese Communication: It's More Than Knowing

the Language" (2023), “Japanese people consider being indirect as politeness. It is common

to avoid confrontation or disagreement in public.” Instead of explicitly declining by saying

"no," they would rather say the phrase “I'll consider it," hoping that the listener would

interpret the intended meaning.

Nonverbal Communication
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Each culture has its own unique interpretation of non-verbal cues; hence, caution and

sensitivity are necessary, considering that what seems normal to a certain culture may

offend others.

Eye-contact

According to the article “Communication in the USA” (n.d.), eye contact shows respect and

interest in what the other person is saying. Japanese, on the other hand, view prolonged eye

contact as rude or aggressive. (Japanese Communication: It's More Than Knowing the

Language, n.d.)

Silence

Americans feel awkward or uncomfortable when there are long moments of silence during

conversations (Communication in the USA, n.d.), while Japanese interpret silence as a sign of

respect and an indication that the listener is paying attention to the speaker. (Japanese

Communication: It's More Than Knowing the Language, n.d.)

Traditions

Americans and Japanese may celebrate similar occasions, but their practices still differ from

one another. Each culture has its own unique customs, rituals, and ways of celebrating,

influenced by their respective histories, values, and societal norms.

New Year
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Both Americans and Japanese celebrate the New Year, but their specific traditions and

practices during this time can vary. According to the article “Content Spotlight:The New

Year” (n.d.), “In the United States, people begin to celebrate the New Year on December

31st, New Year’s Eve. Families and friends gather to share a meal and “ring in” the New Year,

often with a toast and a song. Americans also enjoy the tradition of watching the New Year’s

festivities at Times Square (New York City), which are broadcast on TV. New Year’s Day

(January 1st) is a national holiday in the United States. A popular American tradition is

making New Year’s resolutions, when people promise to do something better in the year to

come. Some even write down their New Year’s resolutions and share them with their

friends. The New Year is a celebration in many other cultures too, although it does not

always take place at the same time.”In Japan, New Year's traditions often involve visiting

shrines or temples. Hatsumode (初詣) is when people visit a Shinto shrine or a Buddhist

temple at the beginning of the New Year. It’s a time to express gratitude for the past year

and pray for good fortune in the coming year. During Hatsumode, people make wishes and

buy charms for good luck. They visit shrines or temples in the first few days of the new year,

often attracting long lines of visitors. The tradition is popular among people of different

religions and beliefs. (Harris, 2023)

Wedding Ceremony

Naturally, both Americans and Japanese have their own unique way of celebrating their

weddings. According to Krueger (2022), “the first dance is one of the most anticipated

events. The newlyweds make their way to the dance floor and make their debut as a married
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couple.” They also give a grand exit by saying, “It's a tradition in American weddings to give

the newlyweds a grand and festive exit. Historically, guests used to throw rice at the couple

as they got into their car (decorated with newlywed signs) to leave. (Krueger, 2022). A

Japanese wedding, on the other hand, involves wedding rituals and symbolic nuptial cups.

According to the article “Traditions: The Japanese Wedding” (n.d.), “the traditional Japanese

ceremony is Shinto-style, performed by a Shinto priest, and held at a shrine. The ceremony

itself is very formal and usually very private, with only close family and a few guests present.

The most popular tradition during a Shinto-style wedding is the exchange of nuptial cups,

which is called san san kudo. Japanese wedding rituals include a palace visit, purification,

and food Offerings to God.”

Coming of Age Celebration

According to O’Donnell (2021),many American families celebrate their child's coming of age

with a "sweet 16" party. Traditionally, this was mostly for girls, but boys too can be

celebrated in this way. This is usually a large birthday party that includes both friends and

family.” In Japan, coming of age is a big deal and therefore deserves a huge celebration.

According to Loh (2024), “Seijin-no-Hi (成人の日) or Coming-of-Age Day is an important

Japanese National national, observed on the second Monday of January each year. The day

serves as a rite of passage, celebrating and marking the moment when young individuals are

officially recognized as adults in society. Coming-of-Age Day is a huge deal in Japan, and

tremendous efforts are put into attire and styling. On this special day, young ladies usually

wear a type of elaborate kimono (着物) known as furisode (振袖). Traditionally, furisodes
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are worn by single adult women and signify that the woman is of legal age and available for

marriage. Furisode cannot be worn until a woman reaches adulthood, so Coming of Age Day

marks the first time that you

Ladies can wear furisodes.”

Conclusion

Apparently, the few similarities between the two cultures, namely the Americansand

Japanese, are the fact that they use both verbal and nonverbal communication and that they

celebrate similar occasions such as the New Year, weddings, and coming of age. Their

differences, on the other hand, are numerous. While there are distinct cultural

characteristics that shape the way people communicate and celebrate in each culture, there

are also shared values and practices that bridge the gap between them.

In terms of verbal communication, both cultures place significance on politeness and

respect.However, the Americans are known for their directness, while the Japanese are

known for their indirectness. Nonverbal communication is also significant in both cultures,

although the specific gestures and interpretations may vary. The Americans maintain and

value eye contact, while the Japanese view it as rude or aggressive.Americans feel uneasy if

silence dominates communication, while Japanese interpret it as a sign of respect.Both

cultures utilized nonverbal cues to convey a better and more comprehensible interaction.
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Traditions and celebrations showcase the unique cultural identities of each country. While

there are specific customs associated with occasions like the New Year, weddings, and

coming-of-age celebrations, both cultures hold significance for family values and maintaining

harmony in social interactions.

As mentioned earlier, no culture is entirely similar or superior to another; hence, individuals

should approach the comparison of these communication styles and traditions with cultural

sensitivity. Recognizing and appreciating the diversity between American and Japanese

cultures certainly fosters effective cross-cultural communication and enhances the

understanding of each culture.

References:

Harris, T. (2023). Japanese New Year Traditions: A Guide for Beginners. Sakura Co. Retrieved

March 27, 2024, from

https://sakura.co/blog/japanese-new-year-traditions-a-guide-for-beginners

Loh, C. (2024). Coming of Age Day in Japan. Japan Rail Club. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from

https://japanrailclub.com/en-apac/blogs/news/coming-of-age-day-japan

O’Donnell, J. (2021). What Does Coming of Age Mean. Verywell Family. Retrieved March 27,

2024, from https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-does-coming-of-age-mean-3288528

Communication with Americans. (n.d.). In the Office of International Students and Scholars

– UMBC. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from

https://isss.umbc.edu/communication-with-americans/
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Japanese Communication: It's More than Knowing the Language. (n.d.). EJable. Retrieved

March 27, 2024, from

https://www.ejable.com/japan-corner/japanese-language-and-communication/japanese-co

mmunication-style/

Communication in the USA. (n.d.). USAHello. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from

https://usahello.org/life-in-usa/culture/communication/

Content Spotlight: New Year. (n.d.). American English. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from

https://americanenglish.state.gov/content-spotlight-new-year