| Saturday, May 28,2011,00:26 (GMT+7) |
By Do Manh Hong - Obirin University, Tokyo
It is the selflessness and transparency pervading Japan that have enabled this nation to flourish
When April dawns, Japan is invariably replete with cherry blossoms, which bask in resplendent sunshine and blissfully herald the departure of winter. This is when Japanese gather, sip sake and feast their eyes upon these wonderful flowers. The tradition, known as Hanami (flower viewing), has been inextricably tied with the Japanese culture and lifestyle.
This year, however, cherry blossoms in eastern Japan seem to be tinged with melancholy as the country struggles to come to terms with the devastating impacts of recent earthquakes and tsunamis. The dignity, patience and fortitude with which the Japanese people combat these crises, strive for survival and try to alleviate each other’s suffering have truly astounded the world.
How has Japan nourished such traits? The answer to this challenging question probably lies in the daily life of the Japanese people, to whom community above self is clearly not an empty slogan, but an adage they truly live by.
Community above self, Japanese-styled
Selflessness is indubitably a prized attribute of the Japanese people. This trait has been reflected vividly in the global media’s coverage of recent catastrophes and, as foreigners in Japan can testify, underpins the dedication of Japanese tour guides, sales people, train captains and security guards. Selflessness also weaves through the operation of Japanese companies, schools and art or sport associations, whose viability hinges on self-responsibility rather than economic ties.
Notably, the emphasis on community is never used as an excuse for shirking personal responsibility. Instead, the concept of community is often clearly defined for every context. When it comes to efforts to lessen the damage inflicted by recent calamities, this notion refers to those residing in eastern Japan, regardless of how far they are affected by earthquakes and the tsunamis. From the perspective of tour guides, sales people, train captains and security guards, “community” is, in fact, their companies. There is arguably no room for ambiguity.
Thus seen, individuals are aware of the close ties between personal utility and the common good. After all, if a company goes bankrupt, its employees will be adversely affected, too. Similarly, when a recreational soccer team is disbanded, the benefits of its members will be at stake. As a result, even young children are willing to go that extra mile to ensure that their clubs can maintain operation.
For the Japanese people, the concept of community is fluid and can refer to various groups of people such as their colleagues, their friends or their family members. Community above self has therefore permeated every layer of the Japanese lifestyle without any need for slogans and propaganda.
Responsible democracy nurtures transparency
Many countries have failed to emulate Japan’s economic miracle because they are not blessed with transparency, which arises from responsible democracy. Individuals who place community above self are likely to uphold their democratic rights by keeping an eye on each other for collective survival and development, which in turn foster personal growth. Given the intricate links between individual and collective benefits, everyone has an incentive to nurture responsibility and accountability.
Consider, for example, the purchase of train tickets. If a few passengers cut the queue, they will be collectively frowned upon, regardless of who they are. In other words, it is peer pressure and mutual respect, rather than fines and punishments, that compel the Japanese people to queue up.
Likewise, crooked officials guilty of bribery or inefficient use of public assets will be severely penalized as their offenses will provoke the ire of the populace, as reflected in the mass media (newspapers, television channels, the Internet and so on). The reason is that public assets are financed by taxpayers’ hard-earned money.
The Japanese people exercise their democratic rights both directly (in daily life) and indirectly (by electing Members of Parliament, including the Government and the opposition). The rule of law prevails precisely because Japan has developed transparency based on responsible democracy and selflessness.
The principle of community above self has found its way into some Vietnamese communities such as business people and intellectuals. However, its social impacts will only be maximized if each individual can clearly define what society encompasses under his or her circumstances and appreciate the importance of selflessness in collective development. Once this beneficial principle has flourished nationwide, transparency will naturally arise and fuel progress and prosperity.
No comments:
Post a Comment