Japan Culture Vs American Culture

In the 1800s there were many cultural differences surrounding Japan and the United States that directly resulted in differences in the opening of trade. The two countries shared the focus on the future and growth and development, however their ideology and methodology towards growth greatly differed. The Japanese culture placed a strong emphasis and focus on harmony, known as Wa, amongst their people and their country. This ideology is clearly seen through the Tokugawa’s leadership and their decision to close the country off to immigration, integration, and trade. This opposes the American ideology that favors Manifest Destiny and the interaction of nations. While these countries greatly differ in their ideology they both work towards growth,

Japanese societies put the harmony of a group and the harmony of the nation above one’s individual opinions and preferences. Therefore, Japan views outsiders as a threat to their harmony and collective nature. Under the Tokugawas rule it was decided that “Wa could best be maintained by closing Japan to the west” (8). This directly stunted industry development and reduced temptation. This preference shows how in Japan people favor community growth and people’s participation in community over industry development and innovation. Japan was extremely resistant to “opening” Japan up to American trade because Japan values their nations unity and Wa over opening their trade to foreigners. Japan strives to keep their nation pure and remain a homogenous society. By letting in external resources Japan believes they are compromising their integrity and purity by opening trade routes and allowing in outside resources. LeFeber writes, “All seemed to agree that under no circumstances could Japan open its empire to foreign traders; their goods would upset the nation’s internal order” (14). It is a collective belief that opening the Japanese empire to foreign traders they will upset the nation’s internal order and their Wa and ultimately jeopardize their future and

The United States was built on development and innovation. Americans are constantly moving up and forward, ideally. The United States held a heavy focus on Manifest Destiny, the United States growing desire to conquer Asian Markets and a fear of deepening internal crisis, the eventual Civil War (10). The United States was focused on conquering the Asian Markets even if it means war or turmoil in the countries. They believed that they had the right and ability to spread their goods and further grow as a nation. LeFeber says, “Americans believed they had God given rights to spread both their new political institutions and successful commerce across the continent” (11). They believed that they have the right to blend their culture with others and benefit from other countries prosperity. The United States opened trade with many countries, mainly in Asia, to maximize their resources and grow as a country. Wa is not a value held in the United States. They believed that growth came from each individual and their own personal wealth and