Letter from Japan: ‘The nail that sticks out gets hammered down’
‘The nail that sticks out gets hammered down’ is a well-known Japanese proverb. The meaning behind this proverb comes from a strong cultural emphasis on conformity.
Charley Ballinger
Japanese culture is heavily influenced by both Confucianism and Buddhism; within both of these ideologies there is a focus on group harmony over individual well-being.
