My 10-day stay in Japan, part of a cultural immersion program called “JENESYS 2017: Social Peacebuilding Exchange,” under the Japan International Cooperation Center, was an eye-opening experience. Alongside eight other delegates, all coming from different regions of the Philippines, it was an honor for me to head the delegation and represent the country.
The program highlighted cultural immersion, diplomatic relations, school activities, and observed actions taken by the Japanese towards peace building. Our group, together with other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, experienced Japanese hospitality and enjoyed the time spent in Tokyo and Nagasaki.
Besides the experience, observing Japanese values and practices proved why Japan is considered, not only a first world country, but a country which has merged tradition and modernity.
University of Michigan Law School dean, Professor Mark D. West, described Japan as a “Loser’s Paradise” because, in his field experience, he found the country’s lost-and-found system was more efficient than its American counterpart. The strongest predictor of human behavior can be found in the characteristics of a situation – not the characteristics of a person.
He concluded the collectivist nature of Japanese society translated into concern for others.
My experience upheld West’s study when a fellow delegate lost her bag inside a grocery story. Luckily, it was found outside the store, without a single penny missing. Even other people, particularly those inside the mall, had similar experiences. One person left their mobile phone on a food court table, 30 minutes later, they came back to find it still sitting there.
People in Japan value honesty and accommodate for foreigners, especially tourists who are having difficulties getting around. We felt safe riding the subway at midnight; if you get lost, people are genuinely helpful; and there’s always a kouban, or police box, nearby with detailed maps.
The Japanese are also known for their strong work ethic, which can be traced back to values. A disorganized and unharmonious environment leads to a disorganized mind and conflict; the harmony of the group comes before individual needs. Based on their interpersonal relationships, the Japanese tend to avoid competition and confrontation, what matters most is success, which is only attainable if they work together. They motivate their group mates by showing gratitude and appreciate positive input; my colleague and I witnessed during our stay, where our hosts showed appreciation for every little thing.
Another thing we can learn from the Japanese is their punctuality, which is a must for every individual. In Japan, being punctual is a sign of being reliable and trustworthy – a practice we should imitate.
Due to their harmonious nature and a “self that can feel human in the company of others” philosophy, they believe everything is connected, which is the very reason, despite modernity, their environmental stewardship believes life is contained in all things, even objects. Therefore, objects must be used in a way that it fulfills its full potential. During our stay, we observed old objects being reused, food was not wasted, and the environment was kept clean.
The Japanese experience, from destruction by weapons of mass destruction to a perspective that suggests every person must be an instrument of peace, their campaign to abolish nuclear weapons is their way to ensure history is not repeated, after their country lost thousands after atomic bombs were dropped during World War II. They believe in educating the youth of the horrors of the past. A victim of the Nagasaki bombing gave a talk about her experience, which proved no one wins in war.
Their call for peace is a testament to what happened to them in the past and what may come if people continue to commit atrocities.
The Japanese have invested in the power of youth, which is why young people from ASEAN were invited to witness how Japan has confronted their past and made peace with the present. They believe their voices can change the world through “social peacebuilding.”
The youth can connect, inspire, motivate, and unite as one ASEAN nation with what the Japanese was use to practice – making peace. In order to achieve peace, it begins with us.
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This column thanks National Youth Commission Assistance Secretary Paul Anthony Pangilinan, Erica Borja, the group for facilitating the program, and the JICE Team for accommodating us and showing us Japanese hospitality. For those interested in joining National Youth Commission programs, please visit their website nyc.gov.ph/WDJ