The Stress of being Japanese

“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:22-24, NIV.

Some differences between life in America and Japan still cause me to smile. From my American perspective, Japan is a quaint place to live. It is not uncommon in many homes and businesses to have heated toilet seats. Likewise garbage trucks play whimsical music over an intercom as they make their stops around the neighborhood. Things that we typically view as "unclean" or "mundane" are covered over with beauty. Even minor inconveniences become sources of beauty here, such as the rhythmic chirping bird sound that signals pedestrians that it is time to cross the traffic intersection.

This is not to say that Japanese live lives pampered by novelties and sheltered from ugliness. While crime and pollution are not the big killers here, stress is crushing. Japanese people face pressures that are difficult for Americans to fully comprehend. Certainly stressful professions can be found the world over, but I am not talking primarily about the work of the Japanese (though overtime is a regular occurrence here). Instead I am speaking of cultural stress. The stress involved in  adhering to Japanese  cultural obligations is intense. Japanese are trained from childhood to function in several circles of obligation and they learn that any kindness must be repaid.
 
By and large, the Japanese exceed even the most courteous American in politeness and hospitality. They are bound by obligations and trained from childhood how to respond appropriately to a particular action or kindness. It is not uncommon for Japanese families to keep lists from generations past of any and every good deed done to them in order to assure that they will not be remiss in repaying kindnesses. Of course this can also lead to bitterness and even revenge when a kindness they perform is overlooked or not adequately appreciated. These, too, may be well documented in family records.

To the American, this is overkill. Yet for the Japanese, this system of relieving debts of kindness, though generally resented, is their societal security. Everyone knows what is expected of him or her, and everyone can, by and large, predict the behaviors of others. Fortunately foreigners aren't typically expected to know, let alone follow, the intricate cultural exchanges that govern daily life here in Japan.

Perhaps the importance of repaying every kindness is one of the things that makes understanding the gospel difficult for the Japanese. God sending Jesus Christ to atone for their sins is a kindness that can never be repaid. It is simply grace, but grace is not a typical Japanese concept. Come to think of it, it’s not a typical American concept either!

By: The Qualls family serving in Sendai, Japan

Pray that:

The grace of God will set the Japanese free from the stress of failure as they discover the unconditional love found in Christ.

Japanese will learn that they can be Christian and still continue to show, politeness, kindness, and hospitality,  without the stress of having to keep score.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.