letter from Japan
‘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.
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.
This cultural emphasis is in stark contrast to the prevailing Western concept that the individual’s needs and well-being are paramount, and that suppressing these needs leads to dire consequences.
