Temporal Changes in Individualism and Their Ramification in Japan: Rising Individualism and Conflicts with Persisting Collectivism

Abstract

Many studies have shown that American culture has become more individualistic over time. However, it was unclear whether other cultures, especially East Asian cultures, have also shifted toward greater individualism. Therefore, this article reviewed studies investigating temporal changes in individualism in Japan and their ramifications on psychology and behavior. Japan has experienced rapid and dramatic economic growth and urbanization and has adopted more social systems based on individualistic concepts in various contexts (e.g., workplace, school). Recent studies have suggested that, along with these socioeconomic changes, Japanese culture has become more individualistic over time. Specifically, the divorce rate increased and household size decreased. Moreover, people give more unique names to their children and dogs, and individualistic words such as “individual” and “uniqueness” appear more frequently in newspapers. Furthermore, social values became more individualistic. Yet, it has also been shown that some collectivistic values still remain. As a result, people have difficulty in adapting to this coexistence, which injures interpersonal relationships and well-being. This paper discussed how Japanese culture changed over time and how such changes affected Japanese psychology and behavior.

Servant Leadership in Japan: A Validation Study of the Japanese Version of the Servant Leadership Survey (SLS-J)

“…Recently, it has been suggested that Japanese culture has become more individualistic and the coexistence of individualism and traditional collectivism would be related to undesirable interpersonal relationships ( Ogihara, 2017 ; Takano and Osaka, 2018 ). The leadership style of listening humbly to each person’s perspectives, empowering them, and trying to empathize with other people would therefore become more important in this culture.…”

Coping with unpleasant group memberships in Japan and Germany: Cultural differences in disidentification, confrontation and emotion regulation

“…However, recent research illustrates that although central cultural norms are still collectivist in Japan, Japan is getting more individualistic (Ogihara, 2017). However, recent research illustrates that although central cultural norms are still collectivist in Japan, Japan is getting more individualistic (Ogihara, 2017).…”

“…Germany represents a rather individualistic country (score 67), whereas Japan characterizes a mid-range collectivistic country (score 46). Although Japan does not represent an extreme collectivistic country based on this dimension (and becomes more individualistic, Ogihara, 2017), there is a wide range of research showing the persistence of collectivism in Japan, especially the importance of collectivistic living (increased importance in social obligation, social harmony, and social contribution and decreased importance in individual rights; e.g., Hamamura, 2012;Kito, Yuki, & Thomson, 2017;Ogihara, 2017), and low levels of relational mobility (e.g., Thomson et al, 2018).…”

“…Third, we selected Japan as collectivistic country. However, recent research illustrates that although central cultural norms are still collectivist in Japan, Japan is getting more individualistic (Ogihara, 2017). Thus, future research could examine the concept of disidentification in a very collectivistic society (e.g., an African state).…”

Economic Mind of Students in Global World (the Results of the Research in Russia and Japan)

“…123], поэтому, вероятно, в исследовании они в меньшей степени обозначили индивидуальные экономические потребности по сравнению с российскими студентами. Полученный результат согласуется с данными других авторов, отмечающих, что, несмотря на увеличение уровня индивидуализма среди японцев, у них сохраняется доминирование установок коллективизма [28].…”