A staggering twenty percent of the Japanese population exceeds the age of 65 (Panda)! In comparison to the United States with an average age of 38, Japan’s median age surpasses that by 9 years (Find the Data). As a result, not many women give birth each year; only about 1.39 births per woman (Panda). In examining the long, distinguished history, social, and economic status of Japan, one discovers the ongoing struggle for Japan to raise its birthrate in order to save its economy.
Although Japan emerged long ago, some still celebrate the day, in legend, when it became a nation. Most likely, the first settlers of Japan migrated from Siberia (Whyte 10). Just as America celebrates the Fourth of July, Japan recognizes February 11th as 建国記念日, literally …show more content…
Many meals, served with rice, also have seafood because of the easy access to the ocean (Matthews 518). While eating traditional meals, men and women used to wear kimonos, “a robe with long wide sleeves and a sash,” but the tradition has altered with the influence of Western people (Matthews 518). Sadly, samurai warriors no longer fight or perform in Japan (Matthews 518). Although Westernizing, unlike Americans, the Japanese still do not use “blunt statements” because they desire to not offend or bring shame upon others or themselves (Matthew 518). Several forms of art play a role in daily life. Origami, the craft of folding paper, and ikebana, the skill of arranging flowers, remain popular hobbies among all ages in Japan (Matthews 518). Another art form, martial arts, has taken root in Japanese culture such as kendo, judo, karate, aikido, and sumo wrestling (Matthews 518). The Japanese government refuses to acknowledge the diversity of the country (Kingston). This ignorance may have led to the declining population of Japan. Ninety-eight percent of the population remain ethnically Japanese (Panda). Within the remaining two percent, many ethnic groups appear such as the Ainu, the Chinese, and the Brazilian-Japanese ethnicities. Ainu, the original people of Japan, now make up less than one percent of the population (Whyte 44). About 700,000 Chinese people reside in …show more content…
A traditional Japanese family remains very similar to a classic American home with “strict gender-based role division with a patriarchal head and a hierarchy by birth” (Imamura). The eldest male child usually inherits the household, “[preserves] the resources, and [passes] them on to the next generation” (Imamura). Along with other responsibilities, parents expect their children to esteem and respect their ancestors (Imamura). In more recent times, modern Japanese families have fewer than three children (Imamura). As Anne Imamura writes, “The modern family is not the same as the traditional family, nor, of course, is it identical to the American family.” Many Buddhist and Shinto customs have mixed with Japanese traditions (Whyte 26). With its origin in Japan, Shintoism has remained the most popular belief and commonly plays a role in “life cycle events, such as birth, coming-of-age, and wedding ceremonies” (Whyte 26). Buddhism, which became prevalent in the 1200s, has not replaced Shintoism, but instead exists as practiced beside it (Whyte 27). Emerging in the 1500s, the Christian minority has not grown much, staying fixed at about one percent (Whyte 27). Although religion remains a part of daily life, the Japanese people also focus on industrializing their
Although Japan emerged long ago, some still celebrate the day, in legend, when it became a nation. Most likely, the first settlers of Japan migrated from Siberia (Whyte 10). Just as America celebrates the Fourth of July, Japan recognizes February 11th as 建国記念日, literally …show more content…
Many meals, served with rice, also have seafood because of the easy access to the ocean (Matthews 518). While eating traditional meals, men and women used to wear kimonos, “a robe with long wide sleeves and a sash,” but the tradition has altered with the influence of Western people (Matthews 518). Sadly, samurai warriors no longer fight or perform in Japan (Matthews 518). Although Westernizing, unlike Americans, the Japanese still do not use “blunt statements” because they desire to not offend or bring shame upon others or themselves (Matthew 518). Several forms of art play a role in daily life. Origami, the craft of folding paper, and ikebana, the skill of arranging flowers, remain popular hobbies among all ages in Japan (Matthews 518). Another art form, martial arts, has taken root in Japanese culture such as kendo, judo, karate, aikido, and sumo wrestling (Matthews 518). The Japanese government refuses to acknowledge the diversity of the country (Kingston). This ignorance may have led to the declining population of Japan. Ninety-eight percent of the population remain ethnically Japanese (Panda). Within the remaining two percent, many ethnic groups appear such as the Ainu, the Chinese, and the Brazilian-Japanese ethnicities. Ainu, the original people of Japan, now make up less than one percent of the population (Whyte 44). About 700,000 Chinese people reside in …show more content…
A traditional Japanese family remains very similar to a classic American home with “strict gender-based role division with a patriarchal head and a hierarchy by birth” (Imamura). The eldest male child usually inherits the household, “[preserves] the resources, and [passes] them on to the next generation” (Imamura). Along with other responsibilities, parents expect their children to esteem and respect their ancestors (Imamura). In more recent times, modern Japanese families have fewer than three children (Imamura). As Anne Imamura writes, “The modern family is not the same as the traditional family, nor, of course, is it identical to the American family.” Many Buddhist and Shinto customs have mixed with Japanese traditions (Whyte 26). With its origin in Japan, Shintoism has remained the most popular belief and commonly plays a role in “life cycle events, such as birth, coming-of-age, and wedding ceremonies” (Whyte 26). Buddhism, which became prevalent in the 1200s, has not replaced Shintoism, but instead exists as practiced beside it (Whyte 27). Emerging in the 1500s, the Christian minority has not grown much, staying fixed at about one percent (Whyte 27). Although religion remains a part of daily life, the Japanese people also focus on industrializing their