The Japanese language reflects the hierarchical structure of Japanese society.
Ex. No title such as さん is used when speaking of even a senior member of the same company to an outsider.
The concept of in-group うち and out-group そと strongly exists in relation to the workplace, as we studied with the family; humble・expressions are used to make social relations smooth in Japan's vertical society, especially in business relations
1. I want to become ~
profession + に なりたい です。
例
シェフ に なりたい です。
I want to become a chef.
2. It is because ~ から です
a) verb： plain form ＋ から です。
日本 へ いく から です。
It's because I'll go to Japan,
b) i-adj
きゅうりょう が いい から です。
It is because the salary is good.
やすみ が おおい から です。
It's because of the generous vacation time.
c) na-adj
the な changes to だ before から です
例
りょうり が 好き だから です。
It's because I enjoy cooking.
3. It is my intention to ~
Plain form of verb + つもり です。
例
いしゃ に なる つもり です。
It is my intention to become a doctor.
4. The particle で by means of
a) Instrument：
この きょうく を ピアノ で ひいて ください。
Please play this piece on the piano.
b) Language：
日本語 で はなして ください。
Please speak in Japanese.
c) Script:
なまえ を カタカナ で 書いて ください。
Please write your name in katakana.
5. I don't know whether ~
Plain form of verb + ka dou ka shirimasen
例
だいがく で にほんご を べんきょう する かどうか わかりません。
大学で日本語を勉強するかどうか分かりません。
I don't know whether I will study Japanese in university.
Culture
Traditional Household
The いえ 「家」 is the fundamental form of social organization of the pre-modern period. Previously, we have touched on the following topics related to Japan: ancestor reverence, status hierarchy, respect for those older than you, seniority and male chauvinism.
Can you explain each one of them?
Traditional Business Enterprise
The 家 was the basis for the organization of the traditional business enterprise. Some of the great commercial households from before the modern era have survived and evolved into the most powerful financial and industrial institutions ざいばつ 「財閥」.
Internal Structure of villages
Leadership was based on age, wealth, kinship and length of household residence.
What were the decision-making processes and other characteristics of village life?
Confucianism
The morality of Confucianism was spread through Japan during the Edo period, 1600-1868. It was thought that society was composed of different, but interdependent roles and statuses. Morality centred on relationships, particularly the parent-child relationship, rather than on individual conscience or abstract principles.
How did this philosophy influence the workplace and business relationships?
Vertical Society
The Japanese treat each other differently, depending in the person's status, position, seniority, etc. How do this compare with the interpersonal relationships and the power structure in Western societies.
Japanese Work Ethic
It has been undergoing significant changes recently. How do work hours and leisure activities differ from the West? Do the younger generation have different goals from the older generations?
Women in the workforce
As in all modern industrial countries, an increasing number of married women are continuing to work. Under Japanese law, sexual discrimination is illegal. In the government, there are no longer glass ceilings hindering the advancement of woman but the same cannot be said in the corporate world. Improvements have been made in Japan, but not to the extent of places such as Hong Kong and Taiwan where there is greater real equal opportunity within the Confucian work structure.
Seniority System
An employee's rank, salary and qualifications within a firm are based on the length of service with the company. Promotions depend on one's educational background, sex and type of job, while wage increases are primarily governed by age and length of service.
Typically, blue-collar workers are better paid in Japan while the presidents of Japanese companies make less than presidents of Western companies of comparable size. There is more equitable income distribution among Japanese workers.
Company loyalty and personnel stability are advantageous. Companies invest a great deal of time and money to train their employees, creating a highly skilled workforce. If a companies workforce does not continually add younger workers however, labor costs can become excessive.
tango たんご 単語
shourai ni しょうらい に 将来 に in the future
shigoto しごと 仕事 work
shakai しゃかい 社会 society
kaisha かいしゃ 会社 company
isha いしゃ 医者 physician
haisha はいしゃ 歯医者 dentist
untensha うんてんしゃ 運転者 driver
enjinia エンジニア engineer
kashain かいしゃいん 会社員 company employee
gakusei がくせい 学生 student
koukousei こうこうせい 高校生 high school student
daigakusei だいがくせい 大学生 university student
shufu しゅふ 主婦 homemaker
seito せいと 生徒 student/disciple
sensei せんせい 先生 teacher
ten'in 店員 store clerk
bijinesuman ビジネスマン businessman
bengoshi べんごし 弁護士lawyer
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