Unable to Conform, Unwilling to Rebel? Youth, Culture, and Motivation in Globalizing Japan

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of globalization on Japanese young adults from sociological and psychological perspectives. While Japan’s socio-economic institutions have shown mainly resistant (or “hot”) reactions to globalization, individual-level adaptations remain oriented toward conformity to dominant life expectations, which remain largely unchanged, despite decreasing rewards. However, a socially withdrawn sub-group (the so-called hikikomori) appears to be unable to conform yet is also unwilling to rebel. The experimental evidence we review suggests such youth deviate from typical Japanese motivational patterns but have not necessarily become more Western. This poses serious problems in an interdependence-oriented culture, but the paralysis of this group seems to be an outcome of labor market change rather than a psychopathology. Finally, we also identify a contrasting group – whom we call the quiet mavericks – that adapts in creative and integrative (or “cool”) ways by negotiating conformist pressures tactfully. Our account sheds light on just how complex and painful the psychological and sociological effects of globalization can be for young people in conformist societies, with implications to policy and social sustainability.

Personal or interpersonal construal of happiness: A cultural psychological perspective

“…Individualism has spread throughout Japan due to globalization (Toivonen, Norasakkunkit, & Uchida, 2011), both at the personal and at the macro levels. At the personal level, for instance, average family size has decreased, the divorce rate has increased, and the importance of independence during child socialization has increased.…”

Youth social withdrawal behavior (hikikomori): A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies

“…Since the Japanese government's guidelines did not specify the social relationships of socially withdrawn youths, among the five articles, three considered that Borovoy (2008) Expert opinion Furlong (2008) Expert opinion Wilson (2010) Expert opinion Teo and Gaw (2010) Review Teo (2010) Clinical review Toivonen et al (2011) Expert opinion Rosenthal and Zimmerman (2012) Expert opinion Suwa and Suzuki (2013) Expert opinion Heinze and Thomas (2014) Expert opinion Chan and Lo (2014c) Review Baek (2014) Expert opinion SAD: social anxiety disorder. The table summarizes the included articles by study type (qualitative study, quantitative study and others) and years of study (2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014).…”

Happiness in Thailand: Variation Between Urban and Rural Regions

“…Studies have shown that Japanese adults score higher on this scale compared to Japanese students, European American students (Hitokoto & Uchida, 2014) and European American adults (Hitokoto, in prep). These results may point to the fact that those living in a mainstream interdependent cultural context such as the mainstream Japanese working context (Toivonen, Norasakkunkit, & Uchida, 2011) are likely to show high levels of interdependent happiness. We can extend these findings by replicating the high score in other interdependent cultural contexts.…”