THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN JAPANESE AND INDONESIAN CULTURE (ENGLISH VERSION)

 

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN JAPANESE CULTURE AND 

INDONESIAN CULTURE

 

DETTY MULYANI ASTERINA

95120005

 

CROSS CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING

UNIVERSITAS GUNADARMA

2020

 

 

Introduction

            Culture is the crystallization of values ​​and life patterns adopted by a community. The culture of each community grows and develops uniquely, because of the different patterns of life of that community. Comparison of Japanese and Indonesian culture means looking for similarities and differences between the Indonesians and the Japanese. By recognizing the similarities and differences between the two cultures, we will increasingly be able to understand the diversity of life patterns that exist, which will be useful when communicating and interacting with parties who come from different cultures.

As a developed country, Japan is often the location for conducting training, providing employment opportunities and also a place to gain knowledge for students and students, therefore. Japanese society accepts many training students, workers, and students. However, when in Japan, there are many differences and personal habits, both religion and differences in communication, which often cause problems because the way of life and thinking of foreigners is not in line with Japanese society so that it can harm certain parties.

The main difficulty in making cultural comparisons between Indonesia and Japan is due to the different characteristics of the two nations. The Japanese nation is homogeneous and has a much longer history, so that cultural values ​​are more crystallized. And the Indonesian nation is heterogeneous, multi-ethnic, has more than 700 languages, so it is not easy to find pieces of culture that represent Indonesia nationally. It is necessary to separate which values ​​are accepted nationally in Indonesia, and which are the unique characteristics of one of the existing tribes.

The problems that arise due to cultural differences between Japan and Indonesia are very complex, but a significant problem is the difference in terms of communicating both verbally and non-verbally, because mastering language without cultural knowledge and understanding is the same as having weapons but not being able to use these weapons properly. good and right.

According to Birwhistell (1970) in communication carried out by 2 people, 30% is verbal communication, the remaining 65% is nonverbal communication[1]. Meanwhile, Mehrabian (1986) stated that the level of all messages contained in expressions and attitudes, 7% is language, 38% is intonation, 55% is facial expression[2]. Seeing this, the role of nonverbals in communication is very important. What is included in nonverbal communication according to Knap (1972) is: 1. Facial expressions, eye movements, hand movements, body movements, appearance and others related to the body. 2. Body shape, hair, skin. 3. Movements, touch, punches and others. 4. Intonation, laughter, crying, coughing and others. 5. Free space, talking distance, touch distance. 6. Cosmetics, clothes and other belongings. 7. Furniture, air temperature, and environmental conditions[3]. Meanwhile, Masayuki Sano (1996) states that nonverbal communication includes: 1. Movement (eyes, gesture, facial expression, stature) 2. Distance 3. Appearance 4. Voice 5. Skin 6. Smell[4].

If those who communicate come from different cultures, referring to the theory above, not only verbal communication but also needs knowledge and understanding of nonverbal communication. Likewise with the communication that occurred between Indonesians and Japanese[5].

           

Discussion

Differences in Japanese and Indonesian Culture

1. Talk to strangers

In Indonesia, people get acquainted very easily and then become close friends, in Japan the introduction must be through formal introductions and introductions by other people, and at the next meeting it is not certain that the people introduced will be friends. In hanging out with classmates, in Japan it takes a long time for someone to make friends, friendships cannot be made naturally but must be cultivated and made. Even classmates do not necessarily all know each other, in contrast to Indonesia, friendship is very easy to form naturally. In visiting manners it is very different, in Japan there must be a special invitation in the form of dinner or a drink invitation which indicates that the family in the house does not mind and invites other people to visit their house, unlike in Indonesia, we can visit a friend's house or family when even.

 

2. Response when other people are talking

        In Japan, addressing other people's conversations is very important, because it indicates that the person concerned listens to what the other person is talking about. If there are those who are talking and those who are listening do not reply to the words of Aizuchi then the person who is talking will think that "the other person is not listening" or "the other person does not understand the content of the conversation" and so that someone repeats the conversation again, in contrast to Indonesia, chiming in on the person who is talking or explaining something when not finished will be considered impolite.

 

3. The habit of apologizing, thanking, and praising others

                        The Japanese are a society that easily expresses gratitude, apologies, and praises others. Acknowledgments and apologies should be uttered at least more than twice. For example, when receiving gifts from other people, you will definitely say thank you not only once, not even a few people say it many times. When we meet again on another occasion, we will say thank you again. Japanese people easily compliment other people. This is done to respect others, as well as praise and appreciate others who have tried. Of course, to make it better, there are always people who provide input or criticism. But before saying this, it must always be followed by praise first. With regard to food Japanese people will immediately say "delicious", "delicious". The plus side is that the food maker will feel happy, and grateful because the food is said to be delicious. The downside is that do the customers or the people who eat the food really feel that the food is delicious? Therefore, many Indonesians who communicate with Japanese people cannot do these three things (thanking, apologizing, praising). And the next possibility is to say things as they are, like the bad taste of food will hurt the feelings of the Japanese.

 

 

4. Eye contact

                   Most Japanese people generally speak without looking the other person in the eye, or looking in the other direction[6]. In connection with this difference, Indonesians who came to Japan felt an unpleasant feeling when talking to Japanese people who did not want to look or their gaze in another direction. Whereas in Indonesia, 60% of people talk looking into the eyes of the interlocutor, this is done because if the speaker does not look the other person's eyes it can be interpreted as "not really wanting to talk to the listener". Conversely, if the listener does not look at the speaker, the speaker may assume that the listener "does not care or does not want to listen to the speaker's conversation"[7].

 

5. Gesture

                   Examples of differences in gestures between Indonesian culture and Japanese culture include gestures that refer to the word or mean "I", "money", and "eat". When they want to express the word "I" using gestures, the Japanese will point at their own nose, while Indonesians point at their own chest. When they wanted to express the word "money" the Japanese would form a circle using their thumb and index finger, Indonesians would rub their thumb with their index and middle fingers. And when expressing the word "eat" because Japanese people are accustomed to eating with chopsticks, they will form chopsticks with their hands and bring them closer to their mouths, while Indonesians, who because of the influence of eating with their hands, form their hands as if they want to eat and bring them closer to their mouths[8].

 

6. Facial expression

Every human being has feelings of sadness, joy, anger, and so on, but the feeling is the same even though the way of displaying or expressing these feelings is different according to each culture[9]. Therefore, reading facial expressions is difficult for people of different cultures. The Japanese are said to be unable to display facial expressions that convey feelings. And that is the cause of frequent misunderstandings about Japanese people in the world community, while Indonesia is known for its friendly culture because most people in Indonesia smile easily.

 

7. Touch

                   Japanese people do not like to touch the other person in the form of holding their shoulders, pulling their hands, and other forms of interaction, unlike in Indonesia, which often touches other people's limbs while speaking.

 

8. Time Concept

                   The concept of time that exists in the communication between cultures is "monocrine time" (monochronic time) that the execution of things according to a predetermined schedule, and "polychronic time" (polychronic time) is more. more concerned with human relationships and other things than the existing schedule. Japan is a country with a monochronic time mindset, while Indonesia tends to polychronic time[10].

 

Conclusion and Suggestion

From the results of the explanation above, the differences between Indonesian culture and Japanese culture, especially those related to communication habits, and those related to nonverbal communication are as follows.

1.      Indonesians easily talk to strangers, while Japanese people find it difficult or unusual to talk to strangers.

2.      The response when other people are talking, Indonesians are not used to chiming in with other people who are talking with certain words while Japanese people chimed in on other people's conversations with certain words.

3.      Japanese people usually apologize, thank and praise, while Indonesian people also say thank you and apologize, and praise but not as often or as easily as Japanese people in general.

4.      Indonesians generally speak with 60 percent of the eye of the interlocutor, most Japanese generally speak without looking at the other person's eyes, or looking in another direction.

5.      There are differences in gestures between Indonesian culture and Japanese culture, including gestures that refer to the word or mean "I", "money", and "eat".

6.      Indonesians are said to have cheerful faces, Japan has long-standing rules of conduct, in "General" (kou) situations and "I" (shi or watashi) situations, where the expression of facial expressions in general situations is very limited.

7.      In Indonesia, even with new people, there are not a few people who talk while touching other people's body parts. People with Japanese culture are people who don't usually touch the other person's body parts.

8.      Japan is a country with a monochronic time mindset, while Indonesia tends to polychronic time.

 

The cultural comparison between Indonesia and Japan is useful for knowing the thinking patterns of the Indonesian and Japanese people. From the differences that exist, if there is ignorance of one party or both parties, the things that might happen are misunderstandings, misjudgment of the interlocutor, misunderstanding messages, mutual disrespect, and feelings of loneliness, fear, and anxiety. , confusion, anger, mutual distrust and other negative feelings which can have fatal effects if it is related to a business or something big. For this reason, research, knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture for Indonesians, or vice versa, is needed to facilitate communication while minimizing misunderstandings that may have occurred so far.

       

References

Agus Mulyanto (2011), “Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Kepemimpinan Guru DalamPembelajaran, Karakter Kesantunan Dalam Ekspresi Nonverbal”

Argyle. (1975). Bodily Communication. New York. International University Press Birdwhistell R.L.. (1970). Kinesics and Context. Philadelphia. University of Pennsylvania Press

Deddy Mulyana dan Jalaluddin Rakhmat, 2006, Human Communication: Konteks-konteks Komunikasi . Komunikasi Antarbudaya:Panduan Berkomunikasi dengan Orang-Orang Berbeda Budaya.. Bandung:Remaja Rosdakarya.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Web, Cultural Information- Indonesia,

https://andriaditya.wordpress.com/2007/06/21/indonesia-dan-afta/ (28 November 2020)   

https://asnugroho.wordpress.com/2006/08/31/perbandingan-budaya-indonesia-dan-jepang/                       

https://www.intercultures-global.com/ (28 November 2020)   

https://www.jp-leadcreate.com/ (28 November 2020)   

Knapp, Mark. (1972). Nonverbal Communication in Human Interaction. New York. Rinehart and Winston

Mehrabian, Albert. (1968). Physchology Today. Volume II: Commmunication Without Words.

Muhammad Handi Gunawan, S.Pd (2001) “Non-Verbal Communication: The “Silent” Cross-Cultural; Contact With Indonesians”

Naoka Maemura (2009) “A qualitative investigation of trainees’ adjustment in Japan:A case study of trainees from Indonesia, (Serial No.54) US-China Education Review、USA

Sakamoto, Nancy and Reyko Naotsuka. (1982). Polite Fiction: Why Japanese and Americans Seem Rude to Each Other. Kinseido

Sano Masayuki (1996)"Ibunka no Sutoratejii 50 no Ibunkateki topikku o shiten ni shite", Tokyo, Taishuukanshoten.

The Japan Fondation Survey , 2009

Veronica Boxberg Karlsson (2009) “The Smiling Report 2009 shows that the trend continues downwards”

 

 

Cttn: esai ditulis dengan minimal 1500 kata dan maksimal 3000 kata, menggunakan bahasa Inggris.

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[1] Birdwhistell R.L. (1970) p.79

[2] Mehrabian, Albert (1968）p. 52

[3] Knapp,(1972) P.97-98

[4] Sano Masayuki (1996) P.89

[5] Deddy Mulyana dan Jalaluddin Rakhmat, 2006, Human Communication: Konteks-konteks Komunikasi . Komunikasi Antarbudaya:Panduan Berkomunikasi dengan Orang-Orang Berbeda Budaya.. Bandung:Remaja Rosdakarya.hal.25

[6] Sakamoto, Nancy and Reyko Naotsuka. (1982) P.18

[7] Agus Mulyanto (2011)

[8] Muhammad Handi Gunawan, S.Pd, (2001)

[9] Sano Masayuki (1996) P.91

[10] Okada Akihito (2010)